Exploring Los Angeles : An Evening in Venice Beach
When most people want to get away from work, they go on a vacation somewhere, maybe to a place just like Venice beach. However, as a photographer, I see each trip as a way to capture new places and people and to develop my portfolio.
This is why, after I was done with a contract in Las Vegas, I decided to drive up to Los Angeles for a few days.
On the 15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles
Once settled in LA, I decided to go to my favorite place, Venice beach. Founded in 1905 as a seaside resort town, Venice is mostly known for its 2.5km boardwalk. Once there, my favorite way to explore the vibrant neighborhood was to put on my rollerblades and wander on the biking path looking for photo opportunities. The best moment to go there is late afternoon as the sun lits the facades of the stores.
One of the reason I love this place, is that it features a more than a few murals, just like the iconic Venice Kinese RIP Cronk mural.
Venice Kinese RIP Cronk mural
The activity on the boardwalk is crazy on most days and you will find many artists at work all day long.
Tattoo artist at work
teenagers walking on the boardwalk
If you venture further north of the biking path, a bit before Santa Monica beach, you may be able to see various people gathered at the parking lot in their classic american cars.
Man drives his Classic Chevrolet
As mentioned earlier, the boardwalk is vibrant with activity and features lots of small and eccentric stores.
Souvenir shops on the Boardwalk
It’s also the place to find the most eccentric people and performers.
left: Marijuana Store Sign | right: Singer on rollerblades performing
left: couple in walking by souvenir shops | right: Captain Jack Sparrow impersonator
Then two blocks north of Venice Boulevard on Ocean Front Walk (other name for the boardwalk), you will find Muscle beach, an outdoor weightlifting platform. You will find there a lot of body builders and acrobats.
body builders at Muscle Beach Venice
Finally, I made my way back south to Venice Fishing pier to capture the sunset.
left: man playing with a hulla hoop while skateboarding | Right: Mural near Venice Fishing Pier
Sunset on Venice Beach from the fishing pier
However, I would never leave before taking a few more pictures at dusk.
left: Cyclists on the biking path at dusk | right: World Famous Hinano Cafe At Dusk
Woman playing with a hulla hoop on the beach at dusk
Thanks for viewing!
David Giral is a published Montreal/Toronto based editorial and commercial professional photographer specialized in architecture, interiors, portrait and travel photography.
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