When people think of Hollywood, their mind usually goes to glitz and glamour. It’s described as a “larger-than-life symbol of the entertainment business”. I remember my first time visiting and being surprised with unmet
expectations. I imagined the stars on the sidewalk being pristine and polished but it was quite the opposite. The image I captured of this Hollywood sign above - caked with dirt - is one of my favorites… I feel like it captures the true grit of the city.
The afternoons are usually filled with tourists walking the strip taking pictures and visiting wax museums or the Hard Rock Cafe. At night, you can grab a happy hour drink at one of the street front pubs and you’ll likely catch the smell of someone smoking pot in a back alley that creeps onto the main walkways.
I stay in the Hollywood area from time to time to attend a movie premier or for various meetings. When I do, I like to walk around the area as much as I can… sometimes you’ll run across someone doing a video shoot which is fun. The grit of the city is matched with an exciting energy that fills the air and complimented with arts throughout, you can’t help but appreciate how these compliment each other.
