I was in L.A. for a photo conference, and one of our excursions was to Venice Beach. I was expecting a sunny day at the beach, but no. Overcast, hazy and pretty cool. But that’s not necessarily bad weather for outdoor environmental portraits.
I saw this woman with red hair that coordinated with her outfit and asked to take a photo of her and her friend. Nice light and nice colors.
I had a conversation with the owner of this bike rental shop and took this shot of him behind the counter. Lighting wasn’t ideal, but he did a good job posing after I asked him not to smile.
This reggae artist asked me to take his picture. I was happy to oblige. I placed him in front of this colorful wall, and that, combined with his clothes, makes for a very colorful image.
This photo was taken right next to the Muscle Beach sign. This is clearly one of Venice Beach’s many subcultures.
And here’s a bonus image. Not a portrait, but an iconic L.A. spot—Griffith Observatory. I was there before sunrise, when the light was good and the grounds were uncrowded.
I can see why photographers have done entire books on Venice Beach. There’s no shortage of characters, and no one seems to mind being photographed. Quite the opposite.
