the marmont.

ah, the marmont.

i love this place. [link]

between the penthouse on the fourth floor to the penthouse on the sixth to bungalow one. each ... is just ... i dunno ...

amazing.

i feel fortunate to shoot here.

they don't let a lot of people with cameras even near their property.

this is where lindsay lives and kicks out hot blonds when she hosts an "after hours thing."

i know.

my friend has been booted by her twice.

competition.

whatever.

i think it's funny.

this is the kind of hotel i try to find in any metro city i visit.

fuck the minimalism.

fuck frills.

just character.

because i think this place attracts characters.

from the guests.

to the employees.

i mean ... this is where mr. newton died. to get in ... you have to walk right where he died.

i have four close friends who work here.

they swear that they see ghosts.

perhaps mr. newton watches over photographers here.

what's interesting ... maybe not to you ... but to me ... is that ... 2 years ago i was hired by a magazine to shoot mr. newton the night he died.

i was at a cartier party.

he was supposed to be there and i was supposed to get "the shot" in b/w of mr. newton.

i arrived.

and ... i heard from a friend at the ap that another ap shooter was almost hit by newton when she was on sunset.

my friend knew how much i admired mr. newton's work and wanted me to know.

i threw up in my mouth a little.

the very day i'm supposed to have a few seconds ... maybe more than a few ...

he has a heart attack whilst driving...

crashes into the wall...

and dies.

very sad, indeed.

belushi died here too.

countless others have been rushed away in various states of consciousness.

countless hopefuls have gotten their knees dirty here for various reasons.

but i was outside...

having a smoke ...

and max from boston asked for a smoke.

of course.

and he sat on the stoop of bungalow one and smoked.

and i got one frame.

which ... i quite like.

because ... honestly ... i shoot for myself.

and i love shooting at this hotel.

you really should try lunch on the patio in the fall. or spring.

or anything ...

for THIS ... is los angeles.

the way it's meant to be.

forget what you read in the tabloids.

leica mp. 35/1.4 summilux. 1/125th at f/2.8. agfa apx100. exposed and processed normal. NOT A DIGITAL PHOTO. LAB SCAN.

p.s., and, yes, max from boston came here to be an actor.