I got up at two in the morning Sunday night and drove the van up to Long Beach Veterans Stadium to do the swap meet. Gates opened at 5:30 and I used one of Warmboe's regular spaces.
I do the swap meet two or three times a year. Great place to buy, get rid of crap, great cast of characters.
My plan this time was not to even set up for a couple hours. I am in a shopping mode.
Found a nice painting, a pretty 19th century native american beaded purse and some excellent modernist wood carvings.
I also cleared out some stuff I was tired of looking at in the shop, irrespective of what I may have paid for it initially. It was time and nice to see it go.
Business was fairly steady and I got to see a lot of old friends, Leslie and I cutting our baby teeth out on the pavement at places like Long Beach.
It was hot out and I didn't bring the tent, thought I would rough it without my spouse, who is in Dallas and due home tonight. Baked a little in the heat. Serves me right.
I have been taking pictures at Long Beach for pretty much as long as I remember. I left the camera in the bag all morning and finally said screw it, lets take some snapshots. A lot of great visuals got by my lens, uncaptured and I needed to fix that.
Long Beach is one of the best places in the world for people watching. Not a lot of normal joes, if you know what I mean?
More like people who dance to the beat of a different drum, slightly off the 4/4 beat. All day long, an endless parade.
I took a lot of shots and space necessitates that I post them small so I ask you to please click on one and it will allow you to see the whole lot in a large format slideshow if you desire.
I asked everybody if I could take their picture. About 80% of the people said yes. Most people are good about it, comfortable in their own skin.
I call this crowd the modern stone age family. As I said, not a lot of normals. Some, but mostly a bit more on an eccentric orbit. Buyers
and sellers.
My friend lena wasn't that thrilled with the pictures I took at her house recently. Said that for a great photographer they were pretty crappy. She is right. I like more candid work, it is easier than always having to make people look good all the time.
I hope that you enjoy the shots!
5 comments:
OMG. I'm so fat, or bloated! Holy Cow. Literally. I need to lose some pounds and fast! But, not a bad pic! I LOVED looking at all of these. I especially liked the older guy that is west of you. And, the one of John, East of Bill, totally captured his personality. Actually, I like all of them.
One day I need to get the courage like you, and get the permission of someone and take their damn photo. All they can say is, no. Thank you. You really do inspire me.
Thank you Kat. I really appreciate that.
Wow I love the chick with the braids. It’s the hippie in me always dug long-haired chicks. Earth mamas.
A lot of great shots.
Dom
Awesome shots.... especially the girl with the blueish short hair. Heheh @pissykryssie
Thanks for checking in Pissy. I checked out your instagram, cool stuff.
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