LOS ANGELES LEAGUE OF PHOTOGRAPHERS (LALOP)

Catching Up

2009-11-13T06:56:00.000-08:00

We've all been so busy so not much has been posted. That said, some great news for some of the LALOP photographers!

1. Mitch Dobrowner is now one of this year's "Critical Mass Top 50." http://www.photolucidapdx.blogspot.com/

2. Both Martin Cox & Margery Epstein will have work exhibited at the drkrm lab & gallery (owned by LALOP member, John Matowsky) exhibition, opening this Saturday night, LAST PICTURE SHOW '09,

OPENING RECEPTION SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14th 7-10 pm

3. Larry Brownstein has a show opening November 21 through 3 January 2010 at The G2 Gallery on Abbot Kinney in Venice. The Opening Reception is Friday, 4 December, 6-8 pm
From their website, "The G2 Gallery believes in the union between environmental causes and the power of photographic art to change the world."

More news to come soon on our busy photographers.

Up and Running for the Fall

2009-10-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

Busy LALOP photographers all summer and now the Fall season is upon us.

FIRST: LALOP photographer, Aline Smithson, is one of the Julia Dean Photo Workshops instructors who will be participating in the First Annual JDPW Instructor and Berenice Abbot Exhibits on Saturday, October 17, 5-8 pm.

Other participating photographers are: Mark Berndt, Paola M. Davila, Julia Dean, Blue Fier, Michael Grecco, Mark Harmel, Mark Edward Harris, Amanda Keller-Konya, Douglas Kirkland, Ken Merfeld, Andrea Passarella, Jamie Redmond, Marissa Roth, Josh Sanseri, Art Streiber and Scott Stulberg. Info at Juliadean.com 801 Ocean Front Walk, Studio 8, Venice, California 90291801 Ocean Front Walk, Studio 8, Venice, California 90291

SECOND: We are international! Adam Knott, sometimes based here and more in Australia, recently checked in to remind us that he is the only international member of LALOP. Perhaps we should expand.... ("Los Angeles AND Australian League of .....").

News from Larry Brownstein

2009-08-19T14:06:00.001-07:00

From LALOP Photographer, Larry Brownstein. More of his work and information is up at his website, http://www.larrybrownstein.com and also on Larry's blog at http://larrybrownstein.bigfolioblog.com .

Aline Smithson: Curator

2009-08-18T10:36:00.001-07:00

LALOP photographer Aline Smithson announces the new show that she has curated for Fraction Magazine on Fathers and Sons. Check out her lovely statement that accompanies the exhibition and its description on the Fraction Magazine blogspot.

Pics from Rayko Gallery Opening/Cindy Bendat

2009-08-15T10:57:00.001-07:00

Up now until September 22 at RayKo Photo Center in San Francisco. Their exhibit "It's Still Life" includes LALOP Photographer, Cindy Bendat, with her print, "Club Desire" from her New Orleans series.

Two Great Saturday Openings!

2009-08-10T13:12:00.000-07:00

At LALOP member, John Matowsky's DRKRM GALLERY, opening on Saturday, something of interest to all our LALOP's (and others): ULTRA-ANGELES Kodachrome in 3-D: The Stereo Photography of Jack Laxer
August 15 – September 6, 2009
Opening Reception Saturday August 15, 7-10 pm
2121 San Fernando Road Suite 3
Los Angeles, CA 90065 Tel 323.223.6867
drkrmgallery@gmail.com
Tue-Sat 11-5 Sun 1-4

Looks amazing!

ALSO ON SATURDAY:
AT DUNCAN MILLER GALLERY

Woodstock: The 40th Anniversary

AUGUST 15, 2009 - SEPTEMBER 25, 2009

Opening reception for artists: Saturday, August 15, 7-10 pm
10959 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90034
(on Venice Blvd, N side of street hidden by an amazing growth of bougainvilla, a couple blocks E of the 405)

See both of Sunday's LA Times articles at
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-woodstock9-2009aug09,0,1735158.story &
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-woodstock-photos-2009aug09,0,6949402.story

Pier Related Show and Video

2009-08-03T07:55:00.000-07:00

From POV Evolving Gallery:
Photographers Brandy Eve Allen and J. Renee Newcomer aka Jessica Shokrian will show a wide range of photography based works including framed works, stop motion videos, photo collages and a short film.

Brandy's stop motion films, made from still photographs strung together, include a terrific stop motion video created at the Santa Monica Pier, another photographer's vision. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y88U-JvvcdI

"This is only the second exhibition of photography that we have done at the POV and we are very pleased to be showing this work. It is much more intimate and personal than much of the work we have been showing... but the rawness and sincerity that gets directly translated through the work of both of these Los Angeles photographers is certainly something to see."

Opening Reception: POV EVOLVING GALLERY

Saturday August 8th from 6 - 10 pm.

939 Chung King Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Ann Mitchell's First Magazine

2009-08-02T20:13:00.000-07:00

©2009AnnMitchell

Just ordered at Magcloud.com: Ann Mitchell's POD magazine, DESERT DREAMS, Issue 1: Diptychs

"The continued "boom and bust" real estate cycles have left their mark on the Mojave with abandoned homesteader cabins and contemporary housing tracts flooding the market. The issue is about the idea of home and what remains."

Magcloud is presently having a sale on its magazines and some production costs so it is a good time to check it out.

Sara Jane Boyers news

2009-08-02T07:35:00.000-07:00

Sara Jane Boyers' portrait of Bergamot Station gallerist, Samuel Freeman ("Samuel Freeman in Holly Mascott"), has been published in the Blue McRight catalogue from the artist's 2009 exhibition - no one you know - at the Samuel Freeman Gallery. http://www.samuelfreeman.com/nav/a_mcright.html

Aline Smithson News...Lots of it!

2009-07-29T02:32:00.000-07:00

Aline Smithson, LALOP photographer and master blogger (Lenscratch) about the photography community, sends in an incredible list of recent activity:

"I am currently being featured with a 7 page spread in Artworks Magazine Summer Issue. It's on sale now at Barnes and Noble.

As the result of winning the Plates to Pixels 2008 competition, I am one of two featured photographers on the Plates to Pixels site, also with an accompanying interview.

Opening August 1st, I will am excited to present a solo exhibition at Pine Street Art Works Gallery in Burlington, Vermont.

A solo exhibition of my series, Arrangement in Green and Black, Portraits of the Photographer's Mother, will be exhibited at the 2009 Lishui Photo Festival in Lishui, China this November.

I also have work in an exciting new publication, Diffusion Magazine -- the inaugural issue.

I have two pieces, one the First Prize winner, in the Fantastic Plastic Exhibition at the Watson Studio Gallery in Johnson City, Texas, curated by Carol Watson and Susan Burnstine.

My image, The Secret Language, won Honorable Mention in The Photo Review 2009 and will be exhibited at Philadelphia's University of the Arts' Gallery this fall.

As part of the Review Santa Fe promotion, one of my images was featured on Flak Photo.

My work recently appeared on File Magazine.

One of my images was on the cover of F-Stop Magazine #34, the Collaboration issue, where my collaboration with Australian photographer Bronwen Hyde was featured. I also have an article on Photolucida in Issue #35, and will have images and an article on Review Santa Fe in Issue #36.

My work will be included in the '09 California Open Exhibition at The Artist's Gallery in Los Angeles, opening August 19th with a reception on August 22nd, 2009.

Wall Space Gallery in Seattle, WA is featuring images from Arrangement in Green and Black, Portrait of the Photographer's Mother at Little City on Capitol Hill through August.

Opening September 11th at the Kirchman Gallery in Johnson, Texas, I will have 2 images in the Member's Only Show through the Texas Photographic Society, curated by Cig Harvey.

Later this summer, I will be part of the Michael Mazzeo Gallery's inaugural, RSVP 1: Arbor, on-line exhibition.

LensWork Magazine is showcasing the Arrangement and Green and Black series in LensWork Extended #84, the September/October issue, available mid-October.

52 Editions is presenting one of my images for sale in the near future.

I am very excited about curating Group Show #6 in the upcoming issue of Fraction Magazine. The issue will be live August 7th. I also curated, along with Ken Merfeld, the Alternative Processes Exhibition, at the Julia Dean Gallery in Los Angeles opening August 14th. And I am thrilled to have been selected as a juror for Critical Mass 2009, the career-building review which promotes the best emerging and mid-career artists working today.

Finally, I was honored to be nominated for the 2009 Santa Fe Prize in Excellence in Photography."

Two upcoming competition opportunities

2009-07-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Southern California Faces & Places
A new Southern California competition: FACES AND PLACES PHOTO CONTEST
The entry deadline is 31 August 2009 and the judges look interesting.

The second: An international competition sponsored by LENSCULTURE, the online photography magazine:
lensculture international exposure awards: http://www.lensculture.com/contest.html
Deadline:15 September 2009

News From LALOP Photographers

2009-07-25T22:31:00.001-07:00

From Cindy Bendat:
My work will be included in the group exhibition "It's Still Life" at RayKo Photo Gallery in San Francisco. The opening is on Friday August 7th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. RayKo is located at 428 3rd Street in San Francisco. The exhibit runs through September 22, 2009.

I will be showing a 2008 photograph taken in New Orleans, part of my "Club Desire" portfolio. Club Desire was an important music club in the 1940s and 1950s--jazz and rhythm and blues greats played there, including Louie Armstrong, Fats Domino, Count Basie, Billie Holliday, and a young Ray Charles. Devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, this historic Club now lies in a state of total destruction.

Photographs in the Club Desire portfolio serve as a a prime and poignant illustration of the unfinished work and the continuing need for resources to rebuild New Orleans. Community members would like to save this piece of history by turning Club Desire into a community center. A portion of the sales of images from this portfolio benefit organizations working to rebuild New Orleans.

In addition, for those who have not yet seen it, my work is included in the "Beach Stories" exhibit at the Annenberg Community Beach House at 415 Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica. That exhibit is up through September 30th.

From former member, Lever Rukhin, who has moved away from Los Angeles: "Hoping to see you at my show at Look Gallery, opening 30 July (6-9pm), 1933 S. Broadway, Space 111, LA 90007."

Julius Shulman 1910-2009

2009-07-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

All of us in Los Angeles owe a debt to the photography of Julius Shulman who died at the age of 98, Wednesday night, 15 July 2009.

His sense of light, drama and creating a perfect moment in his architectural photography captured Los Angeles brilliantly. For those of us who grew up here, his photographs published in the Los Angeles Times, the Herald-Examiner and many other publications brought us into the age of art, architecture and the stunning living spaces and lives for which LA is known. He documented the history of this city through its buildings and urban planning (see his photographs of the transition of downtown Los Angeles from the victorian houses on Bunker Hill to the first tall office buildings), especially those of the modernist era.

He inspired so many of us not only with his work but with his presence at openings and other places where photographers might be, even at this year's Spring opening of the Annenberg Space for Photography. An exhibit of his work, some created with Juergen Nogai, is presently up at Craig Krull Gallery at Bergamot Station (Santa Monica), through August 22.

The LA Times obituary is at http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-julius-shulman17-2009jul17,0,1393680.story

PaddleBoats Again

2009-07-12T17:22:00.000-07:00

In 2007, LALOP played a major role in resurrecting the paddle-boat operations at Echo Park and MacArthur Park Lakes by bringing attention to the paddle-boat plight by photographing the parks and lakes and exhibiting in two exhibitions. It worked then.

But in the vagaries of the city budget and in this historically difficult time, the operations are to be closed again. It is sad that this quiet, simple recreation that appeals to all ages and budgets must be closed but LALOP fervently hopes that the City will see its way to soon review the more than century old recreation.

We loved the boats and we loved our exhibits. We'll jump in again in a better time should the need arise.
http://www.theeastsiderla.com/2009/07/this-will-be-your-last-weekend-to-ride.html

$10 for the Community

2009-07-11T23:49:00.001-07:00

LALOP Photographer, Cindy Bendat, has worked with Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles and posts this appeal on her facebook page (also posted by Gil Garcetti, photographer and former LA County District Attorney):

Homeboy Industries needs your help! They are running a $10 virtual carwash. I have been working with Homeboy for the last year on an ongoing project, and it is a great organization. Please contribute! Go to www.homeboy-industries.org and donate $10 (or more). Thanks

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=122095768335&h=Luz-b&u=MUgN1&ref=mf

About Homeboy Industries See YouTubeVideo

Homeboy Industries assists at-risk and former gang involved youth to become contributing members of our community through a variety of services in response to their multiple needs. Free programs -- including counseling, education, tattoo removal, job training and job placement -- enable young people to redirect their lives and provide them with hope for their futures.

In the past year, former members from over half the 1,100 gangs in Los Angeles County have come through our doors seeking specific services in an effort to turn their lives around. As City and County leadership strive to combat this complex and entrenched issue, we at Homeboy remain committed to addressing the root causes of gang violence: poverty, lack of education, lack of opportunity, and perhaps most importantly, a lethal absence of hope.

News From LALOP Photographers

2009-06-29T07:54:00.000-07:00

1. From MARTIN COX:
Hollywood To Honolulu Hits Hawai'i
June 28: MaritimeMatters publisher Martin Cox, and his co-author Gordon Ghareeb on "Hollywood To Honolulu, The Story Of The Los Angeles Steamship Company" launched their book at Skylight Books in Los Angeles. Meanwhile the book, published by the Steamship Historical Society and Glencannon Press, was headlined in Hawaii's Star Bulletin. (http://www.starbulletin.com/features/20090628_liners_of_luxury.html)

And yes, I was awarded Commodore of the year 2009 by the Southern California Chapter of the Steamship Historical Society for service to to Maritime History (in regard to the book and to Maritimematters.com)

2.
Mark Down Saturday, July 18th as MARTIN COX and SARA JANE BOYERS co-lead one of Scott Kelby's 2nd Annual Worldwide Photo Walks, taking 50 photographers through Echo Park and Angeleno Heights. Details at http://worldwidephotowalk.com/los-angeles-echo-park-ca-usa/.
Of course many of our LALOP photographers photographed Echo Park for our 2007 exhibition, WITHOUT A PADDLE. Along with others, many of them might attend to contribute their hints about photographing this historic area as well.

Busy Saturday June 20th: Martin Cox, Ann Mitchell, Drkrm Gallery

2009-06-16T04:57:00.000-07:00

In a presentation on Saturday, June 20th at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, on a forgotten moment of LA history, MARTIN COX, LALOP Photographer and expert on so many things maritime, along with his co-author Gordon Ghareeb, are discussing and signing their very new book, HOLLYWOOD TO HONOLULU, THE STORY OF THE LOS ANGELES STEAMSHIP COMPANY. Martin's websites: Martin Cox Photography and Maritime Matters.

Los Angeles Maritime Museum (directions and map)
Saturday, June 20th, 2009
1:00pm - 2:00pm
600 Sampson Way, San Pedro CA 90731 or look for Berth 84
google

AND while you are in San Pedro, visit ANN MITCHELL'S "American Triptychs" exhibit at Gallery 478
Photo by Ann Mitchell
478 W. 7th Street, San Pedro 310-732-2150 The hours listed are Mon.-Fri, 11 a.m.-5 p.m and by appointment. Call the gallery to see if they will open for you on Saturday.
google

AND then.... on to John Matowsky's Anthony Friedkin opening at Drkrm! (see post below)

Anthony Friedkin at Drkrm

2009-06-10T07:06:00.000-07:00

From our LALOP member/gallery, John Matowsky (check out the website for more details):

drkrm.gallery is pleased to announce the exhibition of Anthony Friedkin's Gay, A Photographic Essay 1969-1972 in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Stonewall Riot and Gay Pride month. The exhibit will be on view at the drkrm. gallery from June 20 to August 2, 2009. There will be a reception honoring the photographer on Saturday, June 20 from 7-10pm.

Anthony Friedkin

Gay, A Photographic Essay 1969-1972

June 20- August 2, 2009

Opening reception: Saturday, June 20, 7 - 10 pm

complimentary valet parking

drkrm.gallery

2121 San Fernando Road, Suite 3, Los Angeles, CA 90065

323-223-6867

E-mail, drkrm@mac.com

Web site, http://www.drkrm.com

Gallery hours, Tuesday - Saturday, 11am-5pm; Sunday, 1-4pm

Photography Events on 11 June & 13 June!

2009-06-05T08:14:00.000-07:00

Several interesting upcoming events for LALOP photographers and others:
1. On June 11 at the Annenberg Space for Photography, Helen K. Garber who joined us at LALOP AT THE PIER, is presenting her project: Urban Noir/ LA-NY - a series inspired by the visual elements of film noir, the language of pulp fiction and the rhythm of bebop jazz, the presentation to be accompanied by a live performance by television and film composer John Beasley's original score of Urban Noir.

2. At Gallery Skart at Minarc where the Group LA show is about to close, this is what's coming in, opening on Saturday 13 June. Check more info at http://www.galleryskart.com

3. Great lecture at the Getty on Paul Outerbridge in the morning of Saturday, 13 June by Graham Howe. Check info at http://www.getty.edu/visit/events/outerbridge_course.html
plus an extra event to sign up for: a free Point-of-View Artist Talk by photographer Reece Vogel at 2:30pm.

Dream Street

2009-06-02T09:43:00.000-07:00

Doug McCulloh has photographed "Dream Street" now for several years. His exhibition of photographs is up at the Riverside Art Museum until June 13th and the book, DREAM STREET is now out on Heyday Press.

Now, see this strongly worded opEd by Doug in the LA Times this past Sunday where he connects his work to our deeply troubled financial era. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-mccullogh31-2009may31,0,1592600.story

You will see pics from the project there as well. Also check Doug's other work in LALOPblog posts from April 21st and before.

ALWAYS MORE WITH DOUG:
Continuing and rising notice for "Sight Unseen," the exhibition curated by Doug and currently up at UCRiverside of works by blind photographers (through 29 August):
Time Magazine
A Time.com photo gallery
A BBC TV worldwide segment
An NPR (Offramp) radio piece

Sara Jane Boyers Blogspot

2009-06-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

LALOP photographer, Sara Jane Boyers, has started a blog - actually up for a while - SARA JANE BOYERS ALOUD. She has been ruminating about websites and also recently posted images of Salinas' Chinatown, where the police had to escort her through.

Now and Upcoming for our LALOP photographers

2009-06-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

1. Aline Smithson is being published on two websites/journals right now:
http://www.flakphoto.com/archives/6333_1646490288/330448
Go to Flak Photo Features (ReviewSanta Fe 2009) and click on her name OR look for the Photo of the Day for June 1! It is just beautiful!

http://www.fstopmagazine.com/Smithson.html for Aline's article on April's Photolucida reviews in Portland.

2. Check out Larry Brownstein's blog for his most recent wedding images. larrybrownstein.bigfolioblog.com

3. The closing party of the Group/LA show, curated by Helen K. Garber, and featuring several of us is this weekend,

Host:	groupLA

Date:	Sunday, June 7, 2009
Time:	3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:	MINARC / GALLERY SKART
Street:	2324 Michigan Ave
City/Town:	Santa Monica, CA

Phone:	3109988899
	art@galleryskart.com

Busy, Busy LALOP Photographers

2009-05-18T19:18:00.000-07:00

1. Well, always Doug McCulloh. With his eight (8!!!!) shows, here's what's going on now:

The Blind Photography show: the media is swarming. Check out: A 12 minute piece -- "Blind Photography" for NPR: KPCC's Offramp and an article posted on Time.com, "The Art and Heart of Blind Photographers."

On May 30, perhaps we'll all mosey down to Riverside for Dream Street Inaugural Exhibition
Riverside Art Museum, California for Doug's Artist's Reception and Book Signing: Saturday May 30, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
(April 27 - June 13)

2. Ann Mitchell also sends in the following: "The first showing of my American Triptychs will be held at Gallery 478 this June in San Pedro. The Artist's Reception will be part of San Pedro's 1st Thursday Art Galleries and Studios Art Walk, June 4th from 6-9pm. Gallery 478: 478 W. 7th Street, San Pedro 310-732-2150 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

American Triptych started in 2005 as a previous project (Val Verde) was ending. I would drive to Montecito on the 126 highway, which connects the 5 fwy with the 101 fwy. This route cuts through the farmlands of Santa Paula and Piru and until the recent urban sprawl you could imagine you were in the California of the 1960's - all orange trees and sleepy towns. Piru is where the project started, but Cabazon, Indio and the wind farms of the east 10 fwy soon joined it. The imagery is about a uniquely American vernacular, our visual history and language. In each town I've tried to create one image, which captures what I feel that town is about - or maybe, what it used to be about.

Pier Show Closed

2009-05-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

We had a great run at the Santa Monica Pier. Lots of visitors!

Our thanks to the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation for asking us to join their Centennial Celebration. We look forward to doing something with you again!

In the interim, check out their ongoing activities.

Our thanks as well to the inaugural Month of Photography LA for including us in their exhibition schedule. We loved all of your activities and also look forward to next year.

2009-05-08T10:56:00.000-07:00

Cindy Bendat has two photographs at the Annenberg Community Beach House
Art Opening --Inaugural Photography Exhibit-- at the new Annenberg Community Beach House
May 14th 6-8 p.m.
The exhibit will be up through September 30, 2009
Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, CA 90402

Busy, Busy LALOP Photographer: Douglas McCulloh

2009-04-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

Douglas McCulloh's exhibition and project schedule is always overwhelming. Here is his latest info:

New Book and Eight Exhibitions

Dream Street
A new book from Heyday Books, Berkeley, and the Inlandia Institute. Foreward by D.J. Waldie. Available through most bookstores, major book distributors, or Heyday Books directly at www.heydaybooks.com. Set for release mid-May; 176 pages.
I won the right to name a street. The chance win at a charity event launched me into an obsessive relationship with a 134-home subdivision being built in Southern California. The extraordinarily timely results illuminate the history and fate of Dream Streets everywhere.
Dream Street Inaugural Exhibition
Riverside Art Museum, California
April 27 - June 13, 2009 Artist's Reception and Book Signing: Saturday May 30, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

This Side of Paradise: Los Angeles (1865 - 2008)
Musée de l'Elysée, Lausanne, Switzerland Through April 19, 2009

LALOP AT THE PIER, Santa Monica Pier Centennial Exhibition
On the pier in the 1916 Hippodrome Building, Santa Monica, California
From Doug: "How cool is this? -- an exhibition where you can hit the beach, check out the photographs that celebrate 100 years of the Santa Monica pier, then ride the historic carousel. It's one of the world's few surviving all-wooden carousels. (I now want a carousel in all my shows.) And the L.A. League of Photographers, modeled after the famous, socially conscious New York Photo League, is a wonderful organization."

DIVAS! An Exhibition of Immodest Photography
Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum
California State University, San Bernardino
Contemporary photographers from across the country explore the idea of Divas, "an expansive term with particular resonance in our age of unbridled celebrity worship," writes curator Thomas McGovern. My work in the show is from "60,000 Photographs in Hollywood" where there are many divas to choose from. Through May 9, 2009

Now Then: Six Photographers and Six Years at Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro
Diamond Valley Arts Council, Esplanade Art Center
For the past six years, I've been one of six artists with extreme, possibly unprecedented access to one of the largest military bases ever closed in the United States: Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. Among our ventures was the making of the world's largest camera and photograph. This exhibition shows new work by Jerry Burchfield, Mark Chamberlain, Jacques Garnier, Rob Johnson, Douglas McCulloh, and Clayton Spada. Artists' Reception: Evening of Friday, May 15

Sight Unseen:International Photography by Blind Photographers
California Museum of Photography May 2 - Aug 29, 2009 Opening Reception Saturday, May 2, 2009 6:00 - 9:00 pm
I've curated the first major museum exhibition featuring work by the wold's most accomplished blind photographers.
This inherently conceptual work proposes a surprising central thesis -- blind photographers possess the clearest vision on the planet. Many of these artists populate the galleries of their minds with vivid images and use cameras to bring their inner visions into the world of the sighted. Others deploy cameras to capture the outside world, but operate free of sight-driven selection and self-censorship. In all cases, the results are original, revelatory, and important.

Zimmer Children's Museum,
The Art of Language, Curated by Victor Raphael April 30 - June 12, 2009
Opening Reception April 30, 2009, 6:00 to 9:00 pm

California Museum of Photography, Digital Studio
Extreme Places, Curated by Reggie Woolery April 2 - April 30, 2009
Digital Studio Gallery

Busy Busy LALOP Photographer: Cindy Bendat

2009-04-21T21:40:00.000-07:00

One of Cindy Bendat's images called "No Human Being Is Illegal" was selected for use as a 12' x 16' billboard in a park in Sarasota, Florida. The public art exhibit on display through May 3rd is sponsored by www.embracingourdifferences.org and it focuses on issues of diversity and inclusion.
In addition, another photograph by Cindy Bendat called "We Built America" --also from her series shot at the 2006 immigrant rights rallies in downtown Los Angeles ---will be on the cover of the new Los Angeles Public Interest Law Journal to be published in April. More of those images may be found on her website at http://cindybendat.com/Galleries-LegalizeLA.html

With regard to exhibitions: In addition to LALOP AT THE PIER, Cindy will have 2 images in the upcoming inaugural exhibit "Beach Stories" at the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, opening May 14th from 6-8 p.m.

LALOP AT THE PIER EXTENDED THROUGH MAY 3rd!!!!!!

2009-04-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

They love our show! The Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation has extended LALOP AT THE PIER through Sunday, May 3.

In the interim, many of our LALOP Photographers have been incredibly active in other exhibitions as well, many also in connection with MOPLA's inaugural Month of Photography this April. More to come.

Don't Forget LALOP AT THE PIER!

2009-04-06T10:51:00.000-07:00

With all of this activity, LALOP AT THE PIER, is getting lots of traffic. It is up for another two weeks at Santa Monica Pier (closing 18 April) during Carousel opening hours (see March 6th blog). If anyone would like a personal tour through the show, please contact us at lalopblog@gmail.com and we would be happy to accommodate a small group.

This exhibition is part of the MOPLA events for April.

Busy Busy LALOP Photographers

2009-04-06T09:18:00.000-07:00

We're getting busier, especially during MOPLA's inaugural Month of Photography LA. Info below about Larry Brownstein, Martin Cox, Mathieu Grandjean, Ken Haber, Mark Indig & Aline Smithson:
Larry Brownstein, Ken Haber & Mark Indig participated in MOPLA's opening at Bergamot Station on 4 April and are in the MOPLA-sponsored show, groupLA2008, a multi-media installation directed by Pier guest photographer Helen K. Garber, and opening 11 April at Gallery Skaart in Santa Monica.

Mark, Ken and Mathieu are also part of MOPLA's slide show event on the evening of 9 April at the new Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City.

Ken Haber and Mark Indig also just conducted yet another of their highly successful LA RIVER TOURs. So far, LALOP photographers who have accompanied them: Larry Brownstein, Cindy Bendat and Sara Jane Boyers. These are incredible full day/weekend tours with access to venues that only Ken and Mark could obtain. Check out Urban Photo Adventures, to see the upcoming events and also participant galleries.

Martin Cox, one of LALOP’s fab curators, is not only an intriguing fine art and commercial photographer, he is a maritime buff.

With websites and photographs glorifying and preserving the history of the old steamships and evocative pics of liners beached on foreign shores, soon to be cut up for junk, Martin is known within the maritime world both for his imagery and for his extensive knowledge.

His latest endeavor is HOLLYWOOD TO HONOLULU, The Story of the Los Angeles Steamship Company just published by The Glencannon Press . Martin, along with fellow steamship historian Gordon R. Ghareeb,wrote this story of how a little-known steamship company founded in 1920 would dominate passenger service from Los Angeles to Hawaii.

Check out the book as well as Martin's evocative maritime and other photography at his photographic website: http://www.martincox.com/. And if you have an interest in maritime matters, be sure to visit Martin's website, Maritime Matters.

AND.... we're having trouble keeping up with so much activity! Check out as well Aline Smithson's work at the terrific group show at Julia Dean's Gallery, DirtyPretty which is up until 22 May!

So Much Activity

2009-03-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Well, we're putting up more announcements and focus stories BUT here in LA, the buzz is on the inaugural MONTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY LOS ANGELES. http://www.mopla.org/

LALOP AT THE PIER is on MOPLA's exhibition schedule and LALOP photographers are participating as well in several other exhibitions. Check them all out.

If you are in LA, be sure to be at the major opening, April 4th at Bergamot Station at Frank Pictures Gallery. Helen K. Garber, our guest photographer at LALOP AT THE PIER, has organized the first of an ongoing project, "GroupLA 2008", the first presentation of which will be a project at MOPLA's opening and then has its own opening on 11 April. More to come!

Focus on LALOP pier photographer ANN MITCHELL

2009-03-26T17:57:00.000-07:00

Ann Mitchell, whose two SX-70 photographs are in the show, announces that her Austin Val Verde project will be the inaugural exhibition at the newly re-opened Long Beach Playhouse Gallery. Featuring 18 images, the show will run from March 28th - May 2nd in conjunction with the romantic comedy "Sabrina Fair" by Samuel Taylor.

Ann's book from the project: "Austin Val Verde: Impressions of a Montecito Masterpiece," published by Balcony Press was reviewed by Doug Stockdale, March 24th on "The Photo Book".
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Check out Ann's website for more photographs of this historic Montecito estate and other of Ann's imagery. Working with 4x5 Polaroid negative film, Ann has created emotional images as she pursues her photographic interests in structures and how we interact with our environments. (all images © 2008 Ann Mitchell).

Ann is also the former department head of Long Beach Community College's Art Department where she continues as Professor and LBCC Photography Program Coordinator. Together with her faculty, Ann has created PhotoFest@LBCC. This second year of 4 days of free photography-related events takes place in early April.

What A Great Opening!

2009-03-21T14:11:00.001-07:00

Considering the challenge of installing a fine art exhibition in an alternative space - although what a great one and with such distractions! - the LALOP AT THE PIER opening was just terrific. Probably several hundred+ people attended and notwithstanding the amazing charms of free carousel rides and Jim Harris' new book, everyone loved, commented upon and spent a lot of time with our photographs.

We so thank the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation for inviting us down to the Pier.

The show continues until April 18th during Carousel operation hours (see our March 6th invitation blog below).
photos © 2009 Sara Jane Boyers

Jim Harris signing the SM Pier Book at our opening!

2009-03-19T17:57:00.000-07:00

During our opening Friday night, Jim Harris, Pier Historian for the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation, will be signing his new book, SANTA MONICA PIER: A CENTURY OF THE LAST GREAT PLEASURE PIER.

Did you know that Popeye was born on the Pier? Get the book and talk to Jim about Joan Baez, Robert Redford (who wrote the introduction) and many fascinating historical facts about this Southern California landmark.

Getting Ready for the Exhibit!!!

2009-03-18T17:19:00.001-07:00

Installation today at the Pier. Two of the co-curators, Martin Cox and Cindy Bendat (photo Deborah Arlook), discussing placement for yes, it really IS inside the Carousel Hippodrome! Fabian Lewkowicz grabbed a shot of our other curator, Sara Jane Boyers.
(www.fabianlewkowicz.com)

We are getting calendared in the various event blogs and newspapers and hopefully more after the opening. We look forward to seeing all our LALOP photographers and friends and others this coming Friday night at the Pier.

Love this blog note from Pix Feed, the Hollywood sales and rental shop where we're called "[Los Angeles'] ... own superhero photography group."
L.A. City Beat which hand picks events, on 19 March features LALOP AT THE PIER (with Larry's great invite photo) and says," LALOP at the Pier "The Los Angeles League of Photographers celebrating the centennial of the Santa Monica Pier opens its “LALOP at the Pier” exhibit this Saturday night at the Carousel Hippodrome. The jutting hunk of old wood and whimsy is one of California’s great treasures, and the League has been busy since February snapping and developing studies certain to enchant fans of the taken image. Carousel Hippodrome, 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, (310) 458-8786; ... Exhibit opens Fri., March 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Free carousel rides at opening! Through April 18. (Ron Garmon)."

LALOP AT THE PIER on Facebook

2009-03-14T12:05:00.000-07:00

There is a Facebook Page now for LALOP AT THE PIER where some of the LALOP pier photographers have displayed their work.

Focus on LALOP pier photographer CINDY BENDAT

2009-03-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Cindy Bendat is co-curating and participating in the LALOP at the Pier exhibit. Some of her photographs of the Santa Monica Pier are also included in the recently published book Santa Monica Pier—A Century On The Last Great Pleasure Pier written by James Harris.

Commenting about the Pier:
I live in the city of Santa Monica, and the Santa Monica Pier is its most important symbol. While the Pier has gone through many changes through its 100 years of existence, it remains as originally intended: a place for people to enjoy the ocean, to revel in the views, and to have fun. In conjunction with the book project, I found myself photographing the Pier from many unique and wonderful vantage points, including from a Cessna airplane, a Harbor Patrol boat, the Pacific Park Ferris wheel, and even from a moving roller coaster. I was able to spend time on the Pier, enjoying the sunlight and the ocean, as its builders envisioned.

Focus on LALOP pier photographer MATHIEU GRANDJEAN

2009-03-09T18:14:00.000-07:00

Mathieu Grandjean, one of our LALOP photographers, has been photographing the Pier for years now as part of his project documenting the Arlington West Memorial, set up every Sunday by the stairs leading down to the beach and parking lot. His vimeo of the pier is at Arlington West Memorial.

LALOP AT THE PIER on March 20!

2009-03-06T13:17:00.001-08:00

The Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation & the Los Angeles League of Photographers (LALOP) invite you to LALOP AT THE PIER, A Santa Monica Pier Centennial Exhibition, featuring the photographic vision of the Los Angeles League of Photographers

opening reception:
FRIDAY, March 20 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the historic Carousel
exhibit continues through Sunday, April 18 during Carousel operating hours which are Monday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

LALOP photographers:
Deborah Arlook, Cindy Bendat, Devadatta Best, Sara Jane Boyers, Larry Brownstein, Martin Cox, Margery Epstein, Helen K. Garber, Barbara Gluck, Mathieu Grandjean, Ken Haber, Mark Indig, Bianca le Mouël, Douglas McCulloh, Ann Mitchell, Don Schwartz, Aline Smithson & Angela Spieles. Helen K. Garber joins us as a LALOP guest for this exhibit.

contact: Anne Railsback: anne@santamonicapier.org or Sara Jane Boyers: lalopblog@gmail.com

check out:
www.lalopblog.blogspot.com
www.santamonicapier.org

Check Out the March 2009 Rangefinder!

2009-03-04T17:41:00.000-08:00

Martin Elkort, one of the founding members of LALOP and a regular contributor to Rangefinder Magazine, has a terrific story in the March 2009 issue entitled "Visual Recorders of Time" and illustrated by LALOP members Deborah Arlook, Sara Jane Boyers, Mark Indig and Angela Spieles.

You can view the article and pics at Rangerfinder Magazine.

LALOP Blog

2009-02-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our new LALOP Blog!

It is February 28, 2009 and LALOP is out photographing the Santa Monica Pier in preparation for its exhibit opening on March 20 at the Pier's Carousel. This exhibit, in connection with the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation’s year-long celebration of the Pier's Centennial, will share LALOP's photographic vision of the Pier. The opening reception will be on Friday, March 20, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the historic Carousel. More on this soon!