Los Angeles, CA - Sensational, intimate and insightful.  Brad Elterman, Estevan Oriol and Norman Scott's photographs render a Los Angeles that even Los Angelinos hardly have the access to witness. July 8 - September 2, 2006 at Bamboo Lane Gallery.

Iconographic photographer Brad Elterman’s career started with a borrowed camera at the age of 16.  His first photo, of Bob Dylan performing onstage, was published in 1974.  In the 70's and 80's, Elterman documented a real LA history of superstars in an impossibly individualized fashion.  Photos of celebrities can be dubious when it comes to the realm of fine art, but not so with the work of Elterman.  These pictures are haunting, candid, captivating affairs part Nan Goldin, part Diane Arbus, and all human.  The magic in his photos lies in the intimacy reflected between the subjects and Elterman: Madonna is staring right at Elterman and his camera, while disregarding hundreds of photographers in the same press room.

Having lived in the Hispanic neighborhood of Los Angeles and been closely connected with renowned musicians and film artists, Estevan Oriol has a unique perspective of people who form Los Angeles.  His photographs oscillate between intimidating street warriors and famous rappers, sweet Latin girls next door and celebrated actors.  Oriol has a brilliant way of evincing the characters on their own terms in their own environments.  In all his photos, whether Snoop Dogg posing in front a sign of "Beware of the dog", or Adrien Brody cruising downtown Los Angeles in a vintage car, whether vigorous youngsters in South Central or a screaming Japanese man being tattooed, the subjects and their surroundings enhance each other inseparably.  The result is the resounding visual impact.