Willie and Friends, 6th And San Julian Street, Los Angeles

4th And Towne Avenue, Los Angeles

Stuffed Animal Graveyard 7th And Crocker Avenue, Los Angeles

Leanne On Stanford Avenue, Los Angeles

Crocker Avenue, Los Angeles

As I drove through Skid Row one Saturday morning, I saw this woman with striking red shoes. I stopped to ask her if I could take some pictures, and she was very pleased. We were on Crocker near 4th street, and i noticed that she was meticulously gathering bits of trash and other objects from the street, and setting them on fire in a little charcoal grill she had on the sidewalk. She burned the mattress she is pictured laying on the night before.

Sunday On San Julian Street, Los Angeles

DJ And Jazzy, 6th And San Julian Street, Los Angeles

After

Christine sits on top of her suitcase, lost in thought. She was quiet for a bit after a flood of ideas and speech. Her belongings must be watched constantly because theft is a constant theme that runs throughout life on Skid Row.

Gladys Avenue

I saw this man on Gladys Avenue, in this position, with the American flag flying from the back of his wheelchair....it struck me hard, the symbolism and despair of his life and his position. I asked for this photo, as I always do when i am on Skid Row. This street is a difficult place to photograph because of the gangs and drug dealing. There is a famous soup kitchen located not far from this spot which helps to mitigate the danger on the days that it serves food to the people of Skid Row.

Burn Girl

As I drove through Skid Row one Saturday morning, I saw this woman with stri

Jerry"s Shoes

Jerry sits in the sun on Crocker Avenue on Skid Row. His feet are bleeding. He was injured by a gunshot to the head a number of years ago and suffers from disfigurement and reulting partial blindness, hearing deficits, and cognitive issues. He is without shelter of any kind. His shoes, in the foreground, are almost two years old.

melrose crosswalk angel

melrose crosswalk angel

2nd Time

Christine prepares her second injection of the day....she typically uses smaller amounts with greater frequency to keep herself at a comfortable level of saturation with the drug, without becoming overcome or too high. In this way she is able to remain conscious and in control of herself in her surroundings, as Skid Row is an unpredictable and often violent place.

Faith

After, injecting, Christine waits after removing the needle from her arm as the drug takes effect. Her tattoo "Faith", and her many crosses reflect her deep belief in God.

Preparation

Christine prepares to load the barrel of the needle with a heroin mixture she has "cooked". She believes very strongly that the process should be legal.

Veni Vidi Vici

I came, I saw, I conquered.

Brush

Christine brushes her teeth after eating a small lunch. People can often be seen performing daily grooming rituals out in the open on Skid Row.

Lunch

After injecting, Christine eats the small lunch provided to her by the needle exchange. Pictured are her needle paraphernalia, various toiletries and a religious tract.

Old Friends

The needle exchange located around the corner is a daily necessity and ritual for many addicts on Skid Row. They can go, pick up lunch, clean drug paraphernalia and sterilization supplies, and often donated food and toiletries. People have known each other and lived in the neighborhood for years.

Late Afternoon

Christine stands alone on Towne Avenue.