Interesting photography ideas in Los Angeles area?

[dll927]

I'm being overcome with nostalgia!! All these places ring bells, and they are all worthy.

There are a number of architectural subjects, too. One monument is First Congregational Church, west of downtown on Sixth and Commonwealth Sts. It's modeled after one of the British cathedrals. Unfortunately, some years ago they built a wrought-iron fence that now completely surrounds the church - due partly to the part of the world it's in - and that really detracted from the photo opportunities. The church also holds the fourth-largest pipe organ in the world. (Fifth is down at Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.)

 

[dll927]

Someone mentioned that the county fair is well outside of L. A. True, but remember, that's COUNTY, not city. It's in Pomona, or technically La Verne, and always has been, so far as I know. And you're right, it's got to be one of the major fairs around. L. A. Airport, aka LAX, is also well outside of town for sure.

 

[dostacos]

I'm being overcome with nostalgia!! All these places ring bells, and they are all worthy.

There are a number of architectural subjects, too. One monument is First Congregational Church, west of downtown on Sixth and Commonwealth Sts. It's modeled after one of the British cathedrals. Unfortunately, some years ago they built a wrought-iron fence that now completely surrounds the church - due partly to the part of the world it's in - and that really detracted from the photo opportunities. The church also holds the fourth-largest pipe organ in the world. (Fifth is down at Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove.)

we also had an earhquake a few years ago and it got several feet SHORTER😱

I work at 4th and commenwealth😎

 

[Terence T]

Well, I'm back after an exhausting weekend spent running around the greater Los Angeles area. Here are the initial results with a post of an exhibition I visited while near the downtown area.

Banksy Exhibition

I did make it out to the County Fair though I chose the absolute warmest day to do so, almost passed out from the heat. Will put up that post in a bit.

Thanks again for the wonderful pointers, they worked out beautifully.

 

[BrianShaw]

I did make it out to the County Fair though I chose the absolute warmest day to do so, almost passed out from the heat. Will put up that post in a bit.

Ha, ha... I can't wait to read about your experiences! Going to the LA County Fair on the hottest day of the year is one of my families personal "favorites" (I'm being exceedingly sarcastic). Weather was PERFECT on the opening week-end so we didn't go. Now we have tickets and the weather is hot. It's no fun going to the fair unless you sweat. 🙄

Glad to hear you had a good time!

 

[dll927]

Dostacos -- What got shorter - the church, the famous four-spired steeple, the organ pipes (not likely), or the fence?? I wish they would rip that fence out, but I suppose that's what things came to. Signs of the times.

If memory serves me, the cornerstone says 1931, so it has been through a number of earthquakes.

Before all the sound-proofing walls were built along the Hollywood Fwy., one could see the steeple from the freeway if you knew where to look.

I remember when the Cigna Insurance Co. built that glass building on the opposite corner - I guess it caused a good deal of consternation at the church, but I've since seen pictures of the church reflected in the insurance building, and it's immediately recognizable.

In the late '60s the church added a new (additional) organ up in the rear balcony, and I had season tickets for a couple of years to the organ concerts.
The church may be concrete, but that place can rock when they rack that organ up. Since then they have added a good deal more - the place must be FULL of pipes by now. Only three organs rank as larger - Atlantic City Auditorium, Wanamakers in Philadelphia, and the Cadet Chapel at West Point.

Someone above mentioned MacArthur Park - but one sort of has to be careful about when they go there these days - after dark might be a little dicey. The area you are talking about has Lafayette Park, just south of the church a bit.

As you may guess, I'm sort of on organ nut, and L. A. has its share of them to brag about.

 

[BrianShaw]

Since then they have added a good deal more - the place must be FULL of pipes by now. Only three organs rank as larger - Atlantic City Auditorium, Wanamakers in Philadelphia, and the Cadet Chapel at West Point.

Swann really out-did himself, didn't he... leaving the Crystal Cathedral to build his "swan song" instrument prior to retirement. I thought he was nuts, but the instrument speaks for itself!

 

[dll927]

Good ol' Fred. He is accused of presiding over more pipes than just about anyone else ever has - Riverside in NYC, Crystal Cathedral, and FCCLA. I suppose that's because he did service at all three (he succeeded Virgil Fox at Riverside), but a lot of concert organists, at least as visitors, do their share, too.

There is a story that, after he left the Schuller abode, he did some criticizing of that organ. He got some flak, since the organ did a lot to make him famous. He only stayed a fairly short while at FCCLA, then retired to do mostly just concert work. But he is, by any stretch, a fantasic player who probably vies with Diane Bish as about the most well-known around these days. Oddly enough, I think First Church has gone through several organists since he left.

The church does have something of a reputation for keeping people. It had one minister, Dr. Fifield, who was there over 30 years, and the late Lloyd Holzgraf was their organist for something like 38. I'm not sure that it is quite the mover and shaker it once was, but it is still very much there.

Website: www.fccla.org. It has a real run-down on the organ.

 

[steve garza]

Thanks for the Banksy post.....

Thanks for the Banksy post.....

Well, I'm back after an exhausting weekend spent running around the greater Los Angeles area. Here are the initial results with a post of an exhibition I visited while near the downtown area.

Banksy Exhibition

I did make it out to the County Fair though I chose the absolute warmest day to do so, almost passed out from the heat. Will put up that post in a bit.

Thanks again for the wonderful pointers, they worked out beautifully.

Where was the exhibit? I'm wondering if it's still going on?

 

[dostacos]

Dostacos -- What got shorter - the church, the famous four-spired steeple, the organ pipes (not likely), or the fence?? I wish they would rip that fence out, but I suppose that's what things came to. Signs of the times.

If memory serves me, the cornerstone says 1931, so it has been through a number of earthquakes.

Before all the sound-proofing walls were built along the Hollywood Fwy., one could see the steeple from the freeway if you knew where to look.

I remember when the Cigna Insurance Co. built that glass building on the opposite corner - I guess it caused a good deal of consternation at the church, but I've since seen pictures of the church reflected in the insurance building, and it's immediately recognizable.

In the late '60s the church added a new (additional) organ up in the rear balcony, and I had season tickets for a couple of years to the organ concerts.
The church may be concrete, but that place can rock when they rack that organ up. Since then they have added a good deal more - the place must be FULL of pipes by now. Only three organs rank as larger - Atlantic City Auditorium, Wanamakers in Philadelphia, and the Cadet Chapel at West Point.

Someone above mentioned MacArthur Park - but one sort of has to be careful about when they go there these days - after dark might be a little dicey. The area you are talking about has Lafayette Park, just south of the church a bit.

As you may guess, I'm sort of on organ nut, and L. A. has its share of them to brag about.

the steeple lost a good chunk and they left it off. As to Layaette park, I won't go there. the locals ambushed a cop one night [killed him] I used to get off the bus and walk up from 7th until the locals started throwing empty pint bottles at me.

 

[BrianShaw]

Sorry to hear about that Dan, but it doesn't surprise me. And to think, they scoffed when I suggested bringing a friend to watch your back. I've spent a fair amount of time downtown -- and the dowtown environs -- and have neverhad an incident when traveling with a friend. Alone, I've been scared and walked fast, but never been attacked.

 

[BrianShaw]

Good ol' Fred. ...
There is a story that, after he left the Schuller abode, he did some criticizing of that organ. He got some flak, since the organ did a lot to make him famous.

I heard a story like that also. I don't know what he said, or in what spirit he may have said anything. Personally, I thought it was a bit odd to bug out of a great gig and go up the street to build a mega-organ (as if it wasn't big enough already) to "compete" with his old employer. Then, I thought it was quite odd that he didn't stay very long at First Congo. I totally understand his interest in retirement and touring, though.

Re: Diane... my heart is still pounding from just your casual mention of her name. She's great, isn't she... and still quite a looker! About a month ago she was on TV (one of the UHF channels) at about 3AM. My wife and I had about of conjoined-insomnia so we watched Diane's show. It was a choice between that, and Grils-Gone-Wild infomercials. I enjoyed the show even though it was quite basic; my wife can't stand the organ or anything about it... but I love her anyway 😉

 

[Terence T]

Where was the exhibit? I'm wondering if it's still going on?

It was held over 3 days from Sep 15-17 in some obscure warehouse in Hunter Street, took us almost half an hour to finally locate it. Should have noticed the life sized angel figure lifted up by a huge helium balloon over the warehouse... had a gas mask on its face.

 

[35mmdelux]

Muscle Beach - Venice

 

[agi]

I'd like to offer my recommendations. Although I now live in San Francisco, I grew up in Los Angeles.

Downtown:

Biltmore Hotel
Art Deco buildings
Union Station
Broadway Theatres
Angelino Heights
Chinatown

The best way to see all these and more is to go on a tour with the Los Angeles Conservancy. I used to go all the time and they are fantastic. You get the inside scoop on the places and some tours enable you to go into places that aren't open to the public. Some tours do not allow photography so take note. The $10 fee is well worth it for me. You'll be safe as you're with a group. More information here:

http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4

Another good place is Lake Hollywood Reservoir - It's close to Universal City/Hollywood and is a hidden gem - http://www.hollywoodknolls.org/hollywood_reservoir.htm

Street shooting in Hollywood Blvd.

Santa Monica Pier which some have already mentioned.

If I think of more I'll post it.

 

[rovnguy]

As much as I have come to revile LA, there are some places up there that have some interesting character worthy enough to photograph. I would recommend the Point Fermin lighthouse in the mid to late afternoon hours. I would also recommend Union Station, but be wary of using a tripod there. Heading to the south, try taking the Ortega Highway over the mountain to Lake Elsinore, then shoot Al Capone's house.

 

[Terence T]

Biltmore Hotel
Art Deco buildings
Union Station
Broadway Theatres
Angelino Heights
Chinatown

The best way to see all these and more is to go on a tour with the Los Angeles Conservancy. I used to go all the time and they are fantastic. You get the inside scoop on the places and some tours enable you to go into places that aren't open to the public. Some tours do not allow photography so take note. The $10 fee is well worth it for me. You'll be safe as you're with a group. More information here:

http://www.laconservancy.org/tours/tours_main.php4

Thanks for the link to the conservancy, it's on my to do list for November when I'm next in Los Angeles over a weekend.