Illegal Art in Hollywood

if you just want to capture illegal art, then what if you scrapped your photojournalistic style photos and did more staged shots to look like real illegal art? As I said before, you have a real talent for setting up and executing shots....use it to your advantage.
I love shooting natural light as much as the next guy but in the situation you're working in now, it's really unlikely you're going to get photos that really speak to the viewer. they're underexposed, grainy and lacking detail. Like I said before, I'm all for free expression but I got nothing out of these photos...save for #9 -- that one wasn't bad.


Edit: Forget what I said. I was looking through your portfolio on your site and I have to say that your photojournalism is stellar. I'm actually a bit jealous of your skill in that department. If you want shoot illegal art, I'm sure you'll find a way to excel at it. As for C&C, I would try to incorporate a flash in your outings. You need more exposure.

Thanks for the comments and criticism everyone, it really means a lot to me hearing what you all have to say.

Chet wrote in post #10634568
This so called "art" doesn't make millions of dollars for the artists, but cost tax payers and business owners, some barely making it millions of dollars to clean up this crap. Keep this $hit somewhere only you and your followers need to see it and appreciate it, and keep it of my streets.

This is a criminal act, it's why it's carried out in secret. Once you're in prison you can decorate yourselves and your cell any way you like, I'll even pay for it even.

JH is documenting the graffiti artists, NOT doing it himself.... chill out man.

llamacide wrote in post #10638148
JH is documenting the graffiti artists, NOT doing it himself.... chill out man.

If that's true, he is aware of the criminal underground and they accept him as an equal. If I happened to stumble across this scene and happily started snapping pictures I'd probably suffer the beat down of my life, and my gear would be acquired from me.

More so, these may be planned events for the photo journalism which makes the op's involvement even greater as much of it maybe under his direction. So he is an active participant in these events.

He is a brilliant photographer in the everyday, getting involved with the criminal world will only wipe out any promising future this young man has. I always hear "This is what young kids do", a high percentage of these kids will be a drain on society until they die. I hope the op realizes his talent and chooses a better path.

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a521 wrote in post #10639504
He's not doing anything to prevent or stop it either. What if they were cooking meth, I guess it would still be ok to document it...

That'd be a cool photo series actually thanks for the inspiration.

Chet wrote in post #10639684
If that's true, he is aware of the criminal underground and they accept him as an equal. If I happened to stumble across this scene and happily started snapping pictures I'd probably suffer the beat down of my life, and my gear would be acquired from me.

More so, these may be planned events for the photo journalism which makes the op's involvement even greater as much of it maybe under his direction. So he is an active participant in these events.

He is a brilliant photographer in the everyday, getting involved with the criminal world will only wipe out any promising future this young man has. I always hear "This is what young kids do", a high percentage of these kids will be a drain on society until they die. I hope the op realizes his talent and chooses a better path.

Wipe out my future by taking photos of artists? I would love an explanation of the series of events that would lead to my unsuccessful future because I just can't piece it together....are you saying I am going to scare away clients due to shooting something illegal?

Also in regard to the artists, I just found out they are making $10-20K a MONTH in sales of their prints. They sell their canvas paintings to the rich in Hollywood, Beverly Hills and other parts of LA. This is advertising for them. I'm going on another outing with them soon in another section of LA. Going to get some audio of them explaining why they do what they do as well as hopefully go to some more intense locations. To the supporters of this project thanks for the kind words, I plan to continue this project to make it as strong as I possible can. While I do not necessarily support what they do, this underground genre of artists has always intrigued me so I'm happy to finally get a chance to shoot it.
To the haters, keep hatin' cus haters gonna hate.

Jimmyhickey wrote in post #10611989
Anyone?

If you think vandalizing other people's property is "art" then go you!

a521 wrote in post #10639504
He's not doing anything to prevent or stop it either. What if they were cooking meth, I guess it would still be ok to document it...

HBO, Showtime and Discovery do this type of documenting all the time, so yes, it would be ok to document it. Crime happens around us all day. If you stopped every person who was speeding, you would run out of tickets before lunch. But no, you only pull over the serious offenders. This doesn't seem to rank high on the list. Get over it, he is documenting something that would have happened even if he wasn't there.
Jimmy, I love the series you do. You capture life, the good and the bad. Keep it up.
Btw, a521, Jimmy shot a pic of a girl who had a kid under age. Should he be photographing the dad behind bars? I mean, that would be a crime in your eyes?

Chris

ckale1 wrote in post #10640912
I mean, that would be a crime in your eyes?

And you would be correct.

a521 wrote in post #10640853
uhh..no they don't. These goofs are a drain on someone's budget...no way they're making that much money.

www.alecartshow.com. Selling original prints for $2000+ can add up pretty quick. He has a large apartment on Hollywood Blvd, all through selling his art.

ckale1 wrote in post #10640912
HBO, Showtime and Discovery do this type of documenting all the time, so yes, it would be ok to document it. Crime happens around us all day. If you stopped every person who was speeding, you would run out of tickets before lunch. But no, you only pull over the serious offenders. This doesn't seem to rank high on the list. Get over it, he is documenting something that would have happened even if he wasn't there.
Jimmy, I love the series you do. You capture life, the good and the bad. Keep it up.
Btw, a521, Jimmy shot a pic of a girl who had a kid under age. Should he be photographing the dad behind bars? I mean, that would be a crime in your eyes?

Chris

Thanks for that Chris, I plan to continue with this project until its as strong as I can make it. Thanks

I didnt find any one of them interesting. So much as I didnt notice the police car until it was mention.

The thing I did find interesting was the following you say they have "more then anyone on this site".

Is there a link you can provide us, because I doubt that statement.

And for a quick readers digest version of all of this, I suggest people watch the movie "Exit Through The Gift Shop"

there are quite a few of these artists making high five, mid six figures, and some probably more than that even.

CliffordPhotography wrote in post #10644129
I didnt find any one of them interesting. So much as I didnt notice the police car until it was mention.

The thing I did find interesting was the following you say they have "more then anyone on this site".

Is there a link you can provide us, because I doubt that statement.

I don't understand what exactly you are talking about, can you please find the exact quote? They have more what?

edit: More of a following, gotcha
www.alecartshow.com
www.obeygiant.com

Just came across this, a photographer was arrested for taking photos of street art, after a long legal battle his charges were dropped and he was set free!
http://gzaonas.deluxe.​livebooksedu.c...=1000​0&s=0&p=5
http://pdnedu.blogs.co​m/pdn_pulse/20...-for-help.html