Sky Lines

I had intended to report on write the epidemic of homelessness in Los Angeles, a tragedy made evident during a visit there two weeks ago. So serious is the problem that the City of Los Angeles is expecting to spend two billion dollars to deal with the growing crisis. Some 44,000 human beings live on the streets of the city, up from 39,000 a couple of years ago. The issue deserves more attention than a short post but, be forewarned, it’s coming soon.

This post, instead, looks up from the streets to the lofty architecture of the City of Angeles in a developing series we’ll call Sky Lines. The angles, lines and reflections of these urban skyscapes go beyond photography and into a graphical realm that approaches fantasy.

Pretty amazing what lurks in those panes of glass.

G-strings don't cover much

Sheep crossing the Rio de Los Pinos on their way back to Colorado

And finally a potpourri of 2015. Gotta get on with the future, live in the moment, stop living on the past. These are the last glimpses of the year that was. Adieu dear friend, adieu.

School children on a field trip in Albuquerque's Old Town

Corrugated ripples at Tierra Wools in Los Ojos, New Mexico

Monumental cross near Ocate, New Mexico

Drought afflicted nut grove in California's Central Valley

Pier and surf at San Simeon Beach, California

Birds in fog near Tomales, California

The End

Human Scale

Interspersed with the landscapes that dominated the photographic 2015 were human subjects that gave the year meaning. They are headlined by fan favorite Victor “Cuba” Hernandez and the estimable Fred Black, pilot, architect, martial artist, tango dancer and master weaver.

Sunburn

One of the best moments of my photographic journey in 2015 came between Paso Robles and the Pacific as the golden sun swept undulating pastures dotted with stately oaks. I'm guessing that this bucolic glow is one of the reasons they call it the Golden State. My inviolate memory of the late forties in California is of these rolling hills that run from the coast to the Central Valley and from Orange County to Sonoma.

Equally sun kissed is this crescent of sand at Imperial Dunes just south of the Salton Sea. I would suggest that it's better seen in February than in July when temperatures soar to 120. Grab a date shake in Brawley while you're down there.

Walk on by, foolish heart

The Stride, Madrid

Street photography loomed large in 2015 and that stems from six weeks exploring cities in Spain and France. All exuded vitality and promise flecked with moments of despair as above. This juxtaposition of the resolute and the destitute is called "The Stride." It was taken from a patio chair at a Starbuck's on Madrid's Paseo del Prado in late summer. Note the shadow pointing at the invisable beggar below.

Goldilocks, Barcelona

The Big Sleep, Madrid

The French Connection, Marseille