Photo LA and Classic Photographs Los Angeles

Photo LA and Classic Photographs Los Angeles by Aline SmithsonFebruary 2, 2014

©Noelle Swan Gilbert

Outside the L.A. Mart ©Debe Arlook

The weekend of January 16th was a busy one for photographers in Los Angeles. photo l.a. and the LA Art Show opened fairs in the downtown area and Classic Photographs Los Angeles opened in Hollywood. There was no rest for the weary and I was certainly filled up with all things photography from the experience. Many thanks to Noelle Swan Gilbert , Jonas Yip, and Debe Arlook for their photographic contributions.

The 23rd edition of photo l.a. 2014 found a new location in downtown Los Angeles this year. Held at the L.A. Mart, the event gathered over thousands of photo lovers at the Opening Gala and Benefit on Thursday, Jan. 16th, and garnered 18,000 visitors over the course of the fair weekend. Over 90+ national and international exhibitors filled the walls with photographs and there were workshops, lectures, and special events during the fair. Vintage and black and white photography ruled the day and made a strong presence at both photography events. Queensland Centre for Photography continued to be a standout exhibitor along with other terrific galleries such as Susan Spiritus, Hi Noon Culture, and Duncan Miller, and this year many not-for-profit and educational institutions were offered booths, allowing for emerging photographers a shot at gallery walls.

©Noelle Swan Gilbert

©Noelle Swan Gilbert

Opening Night ©Jonas Yip

Opening Night ©Noelle Swan Gilbert

Duncan Miller’s The Daily Photograph ©Jonas Yip

©Jonas Yip

©Noelle Swan GIlbert

The Verge collective booth showing their film ©Jonas Yip

Hi Noon Gallery ©Jonas Yip

©Noelle Swan Gilbert

©Noelle Swan Gilbert

©Noelle Swan Gilbert

©Jonas Yip

Queensland Centre for Photography ©Noelle Swan Gilbert

Queensland Centre for Photography ©Noelle Swan Gilbert

Judy Gelles in her booth featuring her Fourth Grade Project ©Noelle Swan GIlbert

Fourth Grade Project ©Jonas Yip

Deborah Parkin and Cat Gwynn at the Susan Spiritus Gallery ©Noelle Swan GIlbert

Ellen Jantzen at the Susan Spiritus Gallery ©Noelle Swan Gilbert

Fran Forman at the Susan Spiritus Gallery ©Noelle Swan Gilbert

©Noelle Swan GIlbert

Douglas Kirkland photographs the crowd as he receives an award from the city of Los Angeles ©Noelle Swan GIlbert

Time Space Gallery, China ©Noelle Swan GIlbert

©Noelle Swan GIlbert

Tara Bogart at Hous Projects ©Noelle Swan GIlbert

©Noelle Swan GIlbert

The party’s over…©Noelle Swan GIlbert

Classic Photographs Los Angeles was held in a more intimate space in Hollywood featuring shimming silver gelatin prints and serious collectors. A small offering of contemporary work was on display along side all the vintage works. Classic Photographs began in 2010 when a small group of gallery owners and photography dealers wanted to create an intimate photography show and started showing at the Michael Dawson Gallery on Larchmont Boulevard in Los Angeles. “Intending to continue and improve this yearly event, three of the original participants, Michael Dawson, Amanda Doenitz and Richard Moore formed Classic Photographs LLC and successfully expanded the size and scope of the show, while preserving the emphasis on quality of work and expertise of exhibitors.”