Santa Monica Pier

[Chris Dodkin]

At the Western end of Route 66, lies Santa Monica Pier - sticking out into the Pacific, straddling a lovely wide sandy beach.

The pier has shops and restaurants for tourists, and a big fun fair, which does brisk business on weekends, and during the warmer months.

Today, the weather was cloudy, no Santa Monica Sunshine for me!

Took a wander around the pier at lunchtime, as I was early for a meeting over at Red Bull.

The Big Ferris Wheel

Mr Angry (more of him later)

Searching for the fish

Tourist trap

Roll-up to shoot-em-up!

As for Mr angry..

Well, I got my shot, but stupidly went closer for a second shot - that's when Mr angry noticed me.

Man, he was ******!

Got right in my face, demanding I delete the photo.

I was calm and polite, and told him I wasn't deleting anything.

He then said that I wasn't allowed to take pictures of him - he had 'privacy'.

I calmly pointed out that I could take his picture, and anyone else's I wanted, in this public space.

He then demanded that I leave the pier.

And I again calmly told him that I wasn't leaving, and that he should have a good day.

He glared at me, and I turned and headed off to another area of the pier.

Quite got my blood flowing he did!

 

[Brian Moore]

Excellent set, Chris. How did you get the clouds like that in "Searching for the fish?" Also,...what camera/lens/film, etc.?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks Brian - used an ND grad in that shot, and did PP in Nik Silver FX

Camera was X-Pro1 with 18mm Lens - Film was 'Velvia' with all B&W PP in Nik/Photoshop

 

[Darren Bradley]

You just sold me on the 18mm, Chris. Those are the best shots I've seen with that lens. Really a brilliant job!

 

[Darren Bradley]

Oh, and as for Mr. Angry, good job on staying calm. I'm certainly no stranger to those sorts of confrontations but I usually lose my cool.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Love them all, especially "searching for the fish". Well done for not buckling from Mr Angry - I'm sure I would have.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks Darren - told you it was good!

Thanks Rob - I chatted with the fishermen for a while, as I was considering asking for a close-up portrait of one of them - they were lamenting the lack of bites during the morning's fishing, and then said they would move spot to see if they could have more luck.

I watched them as they moved to this new location and snap, I had my pic - I had fitted the ND grad while watching them - and it did a great job on the already moody sky. Nik PP did the rest. Might go back and have another go as I forgot to tone the final image!

 

[Hamish Gill]

Number two is absolutely stunning...

 

[Darren Turner]

WOW these are amazing set of shots Chris, i love them all, the BW suit them REALLY well.........!!

I love the ferris wheel with the fishermen, as already mention great sky to, and the shot of Mr angry............awesome & it was worth the earache in my opinion,

Also congratulation on keeping your cool on this occasion with his attitude,, i would have probably got arrested at that point haha

Daz

 

[Kev Pugh]

Well Chris all great, the last is true dodkinesk as is the first, Mr Angry should be grateful for the exposure, being an 'artist' ?? Searching for the Fish is a great shot but Roll up is my fave..well done for being Mr Cool bet that really P***** Mr Angry ...

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Thanks chaps!

 

[Jim Kuo]

Sounds like you handled the situation quite well Chris.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

It's a learning experience Jim - hopefully this isn't going to happen too often though.

 

[Pete Askew]

Nice series Chris despite the attempts of Mr Angry. So, I take it you didn't buy anything from him then?!