Refresh Look At Downtown LA

January 12, 2012

Refresh Look At Downtown LA

Blog by: Russo Mutuc

This last two weeks, I've been motivated to get up early, and be part of the morning birds, per say. Last Tuesday morning, I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and made my way to DTLA. As soon as I parked, I noticed there was so much activity going around, even just before the sun rose. Workers from the garment districts, kitchen workers, film crews, street maintenance, etc. where already busy doing their daily duties.

The Taco trucks, parked almost in every corner selling coffee and pastries. As the hour went on, the sun illuminated this golden soft light and started to blanket the buildings and sidewalks. The Magic Hour has officially begun.

The image below was taken two hours after the sunrise. Pedestrians walking about in the city and going on with their business. I stood at the bus stop; in the corner of Broadway and 5th Street. I waited for subjects to pass by and unveil their stories in my camera. The initial composition I had spotted was the buildings and how light was shaping the details. As you look at the foreground building, there is light being reflected from an adjacent mirrored windows. Then light also is being shaped at the right side of the building. I waited a bit for something in motion, like a bus or person. I tried various shots before this subject, and I ended up capturing mostly men crossing the streets, with baggy pants. Those where not as strong compared to the one below. Finally, the right subject came into frame, the way she walked really communicated how her morning was going, happy with a touch of swag. Her arms swungs back and forth, as if she is ready to take on the world. Her body figured also complimented the image, as she was wearing tight clothes, which gave a nice figure to the silhouette.

In my days from theater studies, this felt like a great stage presence, or composition. Without this female subject, this image would not be strong.