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I've been there...

Thanks Indira.

A Love Letter to my Magliner

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Maggie,
I remember the first time I saw a cart like you. Strong, smart and sturdy. Another photographer was carrying what looked like thousands of pounds of equipment around with ease. I thought, "what a lucky guy." How come it's always some other guy that gets the good ones? At the time, I was with a partner of far less quality. Her name was Dolly. And she couldn't hold a candle (or much else) compared to you.

I had to have you.

Since you came into my life, I simply don't worry about my weight anymore. No matter how much I put on, you don't mind. Your nitrogen filled tires just squeak and we roll off to battle whatever the world throws at us, together.

I remember one time, while traveling, I was without you. Ho boy, how I, and cervical vertebrae L1-L5, missed you. You never know how much you love something til it's gone. Since then, I can't imagine being without you again. Never again my sweet. Never.

We're made for each other. First, I have no upper body strength. My arms are like stringy little buffalo wings. You lighten my load. Secondly, we love long strolls together. I sometimes lose track of time! And lastly, when we have to turn around in a cramped space, you show off your dancing skills like a saucy salsa dancer twirling about without ever dropping a thing or missing a beat.

This past weekend, when we moved, you really showed me what you're made of. Here I thought you only loved me because I was a photographer. But I stacked you full of all sorts of my personal baggage and you surged on without a peep. You're amazing.

I love you Maggie. (I can't wait to give you a good buffing and greasing later. ;) I'm SO naughty!)

Love,

Wm.

P.S. Pamela is getting suspicious. Just yesterday she asked why I never let her carry my camera bag anymore. So if I let her carry it, PLEASE refrain from spontaneously releasing your brakes and smacking her in the knees like last time.

(Special thanks to Larry Barkdull, Award-Winning, Nationally Recognized Love Letter Writer.)

Bye bye Biscuit

#309 (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

After nearly two years, we've decided to not renew our lease at the Biscuit Company Lofts. It's been a great experience and we could not have picked a better first residence here in Los Angeles. We're going to miss this old building and the friends we've made here.

We've chosen to move on to greener pastures. (Literally, our new place has a yard.) WAP, Inc. is still going strong, just with a new footprint and mailing address.


NW stairwell. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

We feel fortunate to have experienced all the interesting people, places and things we did while here. The 90021 Project is a testament to that. The Arts District is a truly unique place even in a city as diverse and unique as L.A. 90021 is a body of work I am extremely proud of. It's now time to move on and start a new chapter.

From now on, every time I drive down the 5, 101 or 110 and see this majestic masonry fortress standing proud on the Eastern edge of downtown as it has for over 80 years, I'll smile.


Archive photo. Circa 1926. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Lead Solo

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

As you may already know, I've been collaborating with former Blue Angel-turned-screenwriter/actor Len Anderson on a project dubbed Out of the Blue. When we did the first set of images, Len's Blue Angels flight suit was three hours ahead of us in Pensacola, FL. Undoubtedly, a shot of him in the legendary blue suit was a must. So upon his return to Los Angeles after the holidays, he brought the whole get up to the studio for a portrait to lead the series.

Growing up in a Navy town like San Diego, I've been a lifelong Blue Angels fan. The annual Miramar Airshow with the Blues headlining was second only to Christmas morning in order of importance to me and my brothers. Finally seeing the suit and helmet close-up, with it's unmistakable gold visor, was pretty damn epic.

Len, call sign "Loni," did a full three year tour with the team. He finished as a solo pilot in the #5 aircraft, also known as the "Lead Solo." Before that he flew combat missions over Iraq, attended Top Gun and has logged over 250 carrier landings—widely regarded as the "quickest way to shit your pants on the job." The question now is, has all that prepared him for battling Hollywood?

At least F-18s have ejection seats.

A girl named Remy

Framing up. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

A few weeks back, good friend and photographer Remy Haynes asked if I wouldn't mind helping her out on a shoot for her very timely Currency Project. What originally started as me recommending locations here in my neighborhood turned into me lugging lights. Voluntarily no less! I really wanted to see one of her Currency shoots in action. She'd been talking about it for months. Besides, it's nice to occasionally put the camera down and instead juggle C-stands and yell "game off" when a cars come down the street.

I've known Remy for years now. We met while both living in Seattle. As a matter of fact, she was the pathfinder coming down here to Los Angeles. She relocated here about six months before we did. Come to think of it, we used the same movers, car shippers and apartment finders. Needless to say, I owed her.


On set. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Her shoot was with Nate G. and friend Remy N. (Another girl named Remy. What are the chances?) She needed a gritty urban environment for a Twilight-inspired, vampire homage shot. This part of town set the standard for gritty. I knew just the spot.


Nate and the other Remy. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

So as we all headed down to a nearby warehouse district street, I grabbed my old Canon AE-1. It had an unfinished roll of film in it. What kind of film I couldn't remember. The counter simply read "5." I figured whatthehell, I'd just snap a few shots throughout the evening and whatever showed up, showed up.


Lit by her own strobes. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

It was SO FUN. I'd never worked side-by-side with Rem. (Her name was truncated to Rem for the day to differentiate talent from shooter.) I shuffled lights around, lifted sandbags and just generally had fun watching Remy—er—Rem, have fun. You can see the wonderful results here.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I am so glad we've kept in touch over the years. Her attitude and generous spirit is a real inspiration to me.

And best of all, Nate showed up on film! So much for vampire.

City of Sleeping Angels

Detail crop. Click image for full size. © William Anthony

This photo was taken the morning of Trigger Street shoot, as we were setting up atop the 6th St. bridge before the sun rose. In the hi-res version you can see everything from the newly erected Ritz-Carlton at the L.A. Center to the left all the way to the Hollywood sign tucked away just to the left of City Hall. (The triangular roof, far right.)

This wonderful light is almost good enough to get me up earlier in the morning more often.

Almost.

When concrete blushes

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Color study in concrete and cellulose.