I took this shot about five years ago and have never really shown it to anyone. I think the reason for that is that I never thought I could adequately explain how amazing it is to me. I guess I’ve felt it needed explaining and I guess I’m finally in the mood now to try.
No part of the West LA area is really that bad. But this is nearly as gritty a corner on the Westside as there is. It’s directly underneath the intersection of the 405 and 10 freeways, which is to say, the junction of the two busiest roadways in the United States of America. There are homeless people camped out under the overpasses and exit ramps. It was fairly late in the evening. The feel there at that hour is probably worse than the reality. Or vice versa. Who really knows?
I travel by that way innumerable times a year. At any hour, but especially late in the evening, the very LAST thing you would expect to find there is three truly lovely sisters, possibly triplets, on bicycles, cooling their jets waiting for the light to change. Trust me, you just don’t see this in LA at that hour. In most of Los Angeles, they kind of roll up the sidewalks. That’s a common complaint of people from New York and elsewhere who have moved to LA from cities with a more active night life.
I’m a man. The car was being driven by my lady of 38 years. We both were like, DID YOU SEE THAT? And then she asks, Did you GET it? I don’t know how I got it. The green light was with us and we never even slowed down going through the intersection. I probably was pre-focused to some degree and the amazing Nikon D3 sang the song. I put the camera to my face, framed the ladies and slammed down the shutter release. It just happened. It’s one of those moments that makes me so happy that I had a camera, not to create some work of art or anything like that, but just to capture the natural beauty I witnessed there at the grimy and otherwise unsightly corner of Sawtelle and Pico Blvds that night.
Alone, a younger man, I would have probably slammed on the brakes and went down the line asking for their hands in marriage. Because these sisters are not afraid of the dark or probably anything else. I thought maybe there was someone filming them, like a reality show or something. Truly gutsy young ladies. And reason #90454 I’m glad I never had children.
50'Lux 
Brilliant photo! I’d love a print …!
amazing shot! thank goodness you had a camera!!! 🙂 thanks for share this image and their story!
Thank you, Paulo!
Thank you, Godfrey! I haven’t been set up to sell prints since I abandoned my Photoshelter site but I can send you a higher res version and you can have a print made.
db
That would be great! Have you got a DropBox account? That would make it very easy to share.
I do! Here you go. Let me know when you’ve got it so I can delete it. Probably won’t be able to make that large of a print from this but it’s the largest res I currently have access to. Don’t ask. 😉
Actually, I think it would be better if you gave me an email address and I’ll send you the link.
Great, thank you Don! I’ve got it on my system now.
Really appreciate it.
Cool! Let me know how you print it etc.
Beautiful shot!
Thank you so much, nhmb!
What’s risky to me is they are not wearing helmets, reflectors, and lights.
They seem to be enjoy an element of risk. 😉
I’m simply in love with this photo! A natural and glowing example of Henri Cartier-Bresson’s ‘decisive moment’ 🙂
Thank you so much, Justine, for the beautiful thought! Have a wonderful morning as you’ve certainly made mine.
db
Yes, what Justne said. 🙂 love this photo on many kevels. hope you are still loving your Leica ME, too! I enjoyed your earlier review of it.
Thank you, kps. I LOVE my ME. Very much. And thank you again!
db
Um, that should be Justine…and levels. Sorry!
Reblogged this on 50'Lux and commented:
One of the more controversial posts I’ve ever made… because of the title. Oh well. Reblog!!!
Nice photo of those ladies.
Thank you, Ricky