Conan O'Brien

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Tomorrow night, Conan O'Brien takes over the reigns of The Tonight Show. I was a die-hard Carson fan, so I never really got on board with Leno's style of comedy. But I am really looking forward to what Conan does with the earlier time slot.

The photo above was totally lucky on my part. I was on assignment in San Francisco and wandering around downtown when I saw a film crew setting up. A passerby said Conan O'Brien was shooting a bit so I decided to stick around.

Shortly after, this large lanky praying mantis-lookin' redhead dude came running out, turned a cable car around by hand, then ran off. It was Conan.

Completely random. I snapped one frame.

Godspeed Conan.

Paul Solomon

Crossing the 6th St. bridge with the Biscuit and TOY as backdrop. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

The first time I met Paul Solomon I was looking into a lease at the Biscuit Company Lofts. I had just tugged on the BCL office door only to find it locked. They had closed a half hour prior. It was then that I heard a soft-spoken, "Can I help you?" I turned to to find myself looking directly into the chest of an extremely tall man that didn't match the voice.

Paul Solomon is a partner in Linear City, L.L.C., the company that repurposed, among others, a toy factory and biscuit company into some of Los Angeles' finest live/work loft buildings. I happen to live/work in one now. (After, of course, I learned the office hours.)

As time would go by, I'd see Paul out and about in the neighborhood and began to notice that his hair seemed to be growing uncontrollably. And growing. And growing. At some point, I said to him, "... don't cut that hair until I get a portrait of you." A few weeks later, when the coiff reached apogee, we scheduled a shoot. And by then, the fro was in full glory. I knew I wanted a car. But not just any car. A car that not only fit the style but could actually accommodate the monstrous mane. A 1971 Buick Skylark convertable with a few patches of bondo fit the bill. The results were—and I don't say this lightly—epic.

Thanks Paul.


(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

The American Dream

(Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

This photograph was not planned. It materialized right before my eyes. Though, I don't think I could have art directed it any better. The mother with 2(.5) kids. Dad pulling up in the minivan and the red "SOLD" sign in the window. The perfectly manicured flora. It's all there.

I grew up in suburbia but I have absolutely no desire to return.

On the Road - Keenesburg, CO

The Duke. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

We drove right into a tornado warning/thunderstorm/hailfest enroute from Ft. Morgan to Denver. Knowing it would pass quickly, we pulled in to Rooster's Country Grill & Steakhouse off I-76 for some coffee and pie. Great place. Proof was right inside the front door.

On the Road - Aurora, CO

¡Olé! (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

On the Road - Nederland, CO

Right vs. Left. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Subtle political message?

On the Road - Gold Hill, CO

Fence at 8,300 ft. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Cody

1.5 years old. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Cody is the son of very good friends of ours in Colorado. He is also very easy to photograph. This morning, he stealthily stuffed half of his waffle between the sofa cushions while watching cartoons.

I like Cody.

On the Road - Boulder, CO

T&A 4 sale. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Panoramic memories

While going through the archives I came across some panoramic images I shot while living in Seattle, steeped in the music scene. All images shot with my Widelux camera. Good times.


The Dandy Warhols. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


Ian MacKaye and Amy Farina of The Evens. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


John Doe before his live in-studio performance for KEXP FM. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


Kinski live. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


Kinski for Seattle Weekly. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


Interpol backstage. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


Schoolyard Heroes backstage. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony


Kane Hodder crowd. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Ordered Online

It's amazing what you can order on the internet these days. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Meet Ace. The newest staff addition to WAP, Inc. For some reason, the manual says to never get him wet and never feed him after midnight. Not sure why. Weird.

NOTE: The Cat Owner's Manual is really a great, great book. More here.

UPDATE: The wonderful folks at Irreference Books blogged about this photo after I sent them a link to this post.

Police Walk

Christy, Cougar (in honorary LAPD garb) and Fausto. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Once a week, a small group of Arts District residents meet up for a sunset walk through the neighborhood with the LAPD Senior Lead Officer for our precinct. While the walk is designed to keep communication open between residents and law enforcement, it is also, conveniently, a really good excuse to go for a stroll with neighbors at one of the nicest times of the day.


John, Jimmy and Noah. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

Usually numbering around eight to twelve participants from various buildings like the Biscuit/TOY, Molino and Factory Place Lofts, the group roams in no set path for about an hour. We interface with residents and generally show a presence in a neighborhood once considered abandoned. It's a nice walk, and I always learn something new about the area I didn't before. (For example, did you know the old Santa Fe depot building that now houses SCI-ARC building is as long as the Empire State Building is tall? Thanks Noah!)


Unknown city worker, Officer Owens and Terrell. (Click image for full size.) © William Anthony

I usually take my camera. It is the Magic Hour after all, and there's always something interesting to see. The best part, however, is the beer and brats at Wurstküche afterwards... Public service can be fun. And filling!