Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood
Picture: Grauman's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, California
If I didn't shoot pictures for stock, then I would probably do nearly 100% scenic landscape photography. Maybe someday I will get there, but for now I also have to photograph a fair amount of material for marketability purposes. Despite the millions of snapshots taken from these places, iconic locations sell believe it or not. I won't get into specifics, but my better selling images are not even from California. One reason is that I haven't really photographed the touristy stuff here.
So today I went to Hollywood! Not courtesy of Randy, Paula and Simon I might add... anyways. When I was younger, my impression of Hollywood was more along the lines of Frederick's of Hollywood than a place you'd want to take out-of-town visitors to. I hadn't been down there since I moved back to So Cal so I was pleasantly surprised to find the area around the theater is much cleaner now than it used to be due to the development of the Hollywood & Highland complex, which also is home to the Kodak Theatre.
For postcard rack type of images from the Chinese Theatre, I think a sunrise shoot on a Sunday morning would probably be your best bet. There are a lot of people roaming around during the day and a lot of traffic passing by on Hollywood Blvd. which blocks the view. A tilt and shift lens would be beneficial as well because the theater is quite tall and you get perspective distortion with a regular lens from having to aim upwards.
Sometimes it's kinda cool to incorporate people and traffic into the scene as well especially if you can't avoid it, but it has to look deliberate. There certainly was no shortage of that today.
Labels: California, images, photos, pictures, stock photography, travel
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posted by Richard @ 8:08 PM
12 comments
Richard Wong Photography: Image Boutique
12 Comments:
Yeah, it's a lot more fun shooting the stuff that people like, instead of what is needed.
I've never been to Hollywood, courtesy of Randy, Paula and Simon, or otherwise. Maybe the next time I'm down that way. If California wasn't so darn long, I might see the southern part more often.
BTW - I also watch American Idol! It will be very interesting to see who wins this one. The talent has been incredible!
Hi Richard,
I'm surprised your best selling stuff isn't of California. Funny how it is easy to ignore our own backyard.
I crossed the street and took one step on to the grounds of the Chinese Theatre with my tripod and had security on me. They said I had to shoot from the sidewalk. Did you have any trouble?
Ron
Thanks Sherri. I'm sure you are doing just fine w/o having been to Hollywood. Having lived in both, I like Northern California better.
Yeah I was disappointed that Carly went home last week. Hopefully David Cook wins because I can't stand the dreadlock guy or that kid.
That is weird Ron. What time of day were you there? Kinda hard to stop people from using tripods or shoot pictures when there are a few hundred people there. I didn't use my tripod but several others were w/o hassles.
Hi Richard,
I was there early on a weekend morning, so I was really the only one there. Maybe I should have waited a bit. I was trying to get some shots of the hand prints in the cement.
Nice photo!
Yeah I was looking for the Marilyn Monroe hand print but couldnt' find it. I'll have to look it up before I go there next time.
Hey Dude,
Get any with more of the bus included? I think it adds to the fact it is a tourist attraction and of course the red is eye catching.
You know, that is something that crossed my mind but wasn't quite able to put it all together. I'm pretty sure those buses are out there quite often so it's probably re-shootable.
Any more of the bus would probably put too much attention on the bus (which then basically would cover/block the whole bottom right area), distracting from the main attraction. The red color does not really help, either. I think the shot as is is pretty close to perfect. I'd love to see a bit more blue sky, and a tad less clouds.
Thanks Mark. Good point, the red is a pretty dominant color and would probably make the image weighted toward the right side. My preference would have been to not include the bus at all but there wasn't much I could do about it.
Cool shot Richard, I always thought going to California and shooting places like this would be something I would like to do before I die, so in the meantime I will let you do the work for me !! ;)
Let me know if you're in the area Bernie, I'll help you find some interesting things to shoot.
btw if you really want to get cheesy, there are a lot of people offering "Movie Star" tours. I think they take you on the big red bus and drive around LA stopping off at the homes. I haven't done it myself but there are people soliciting you for those tours everywhere.
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