Strip Malls

I chose the topic, because I didn't want to do portraits. I didn't want to do what everyone else would do. In fact, I didn't want to do something pretty, since even that can be passé. So I chose strip malls. But now that I have spent hours driving around in seach of them to take their pictures, I've become obsessed. They are fascinating. First of all, do you know how much they have in common with each other? Donut shops, check cashing centers, and 99¢ stores are remarkably consistent strip mall staples. That and the one on Santa Monica and Vine had hookers hanging out outside of it when I went to photograph it this morning.

And I realize how crazy this makes me sound, but each one really does have its own aura. Just look at how much they differ geographically: how much ones in our neighborhood differ from those in Hollywood or Japantown.

Yes, they're ugly, but they're also amazing.