Day 68

68/365, originally uploaded by Aaron LaRue.

Today I visited the J. Paul Getty Museum. It is quite possibly one of the most beautiful places I have been to, and I saw an exhibit that profoundly effected me. 

First of all, the exhibit was called "Engaged Observers".




It was about contemporary photojournalism, featuring photographers like Lewis W. Hine, W. Eugene Smith, and Henri Cartier-Bresson. It was awesome to see the actual prints in person after learning about all these people in art history classes. These photographers are amazing, and I have a profound new respect for the photo essay. It got me thinking a lot about what I'm doing with this project, and hopefully it will help me elevate my work. 


Second of all, the Getty is incredible. If you live in SoCal and haven't been, you need to go. The gardens are amazing, the architecture is amazing, the exhibits are amazing, and the paintings are incredible. Matisse, Manet, Money, Renoir, and Van Gogh all within a couple feet of each other. Go see it!


The problem I have with this place is that it is too picturesque. You can't open your shutter without taking a good frame. The light was particularly amazing today, hard but not harsh with a beautiful color. Everyone there has a camera, and is constantly firing away. I shot very little. I kept my camera in my bag for most of the day and just enjoyed what there is to see, and it was fantastic. When I did bring it out, though, I was happy with what I got.




It was like Disneyland for art nerds, and I have a feeling I'll be back soon.