(Q) How long have you been taking photos of graffiti & what interests you to do so?

(A) I’ve been taking photos of graffiti off & on for years.. Due to the cost of film I didn’t take so many photos.. I got my first digital camera in 2005 & I haven’t let up.. As for my interest in graffiti, I use to write.. I saw Style Wars on PBS around 1985-1986 & I was hooked.. I’m much better behind a camera then a can.. I love graffiti & I will keep documenting it as long as I am able to..

(Q) Do you own photo albums of actual prints or do you prefer digital?

(A) I actually have no photo albums of graf.. I have personal photo albums with graf photos scattered thru them.. I have some hard copies, but i store my photos digitally.. I can print hardcopies when needed..

(Q) How many photos are in your personal collection?

(A) I have close to 20,000+ digital photos of freights..

(Q) Do you feel photography plays a major role in documenting graffiti culture?

(A) I don’t think it plays a major role, but I do think it has an important part.. On the low it’s there playing it’s part documenting the changing styles of the culture..

(Q) Do you have any crazy stories or memorable moments while taking photos?

(A) I have been stopped by the cops several times, but this one time was a bit different.. Me & a friend that hops trains were walking a long line in Los Angeles.. There were ladders coming out of boxcars, people were living in these cars.. This spot was filthy as hell!! My friend is streaking as we walked the line.. We walked about 75% of the line when a homeless guy walks out of a little inlet & walks off in front of us.. A couple boxcars later, we pass a little cut & there is a railroad cop sitting there with his partner and a German Shepherd. They were arresting two vagrants for trespassing.. Meanwhile my friend dropped his Markal out of its sleeve & then went to put the sleeve back in his pocket.. The cop asked what he was putting in his pocket & he showed him the wrapper & then told us to wait while they checked out our I.D.’s.. We had no warrants & three cameras between us, so they let us go.. My friend asked if we could cross over to the other side to walk back & they let us.. This way we got to bench the other side of the line..

Location: Los Angeles, CA

Tags: Photos // Add Comment »