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Table of Contents

Interview with Carla Fiorina

Random Red Numbers

Times Square at the Millinium

Dark is the Light

Street Shooters of Issue 23

Dark is the Light

David Valera
“An introverted look at life and death, light and dark, harmony and disparity, the mysterious and the strange, the significance of the insignificant.”

“Dark is the Light” is an ongoing project that exhibits the contrast of light and the similarity of shapes. It is a visual depiction of the people and beings that share our world, the evolution of life, the cycle of death, rebirth and our part throughout. The paths we choose in life lead us towards unexpected rewards and disappointments, such is the mystery of life. We spend much of our lives creating places of comfort and warmth, dealing with sexuality, and building the greatest of cities, but fail to look at the greater picture of actions performed today that have consequences for tomorrow. Why are we gradually destroying the world around us? Politicians ignore the obvious effects of “global warming”, even though California is in the most severe drought of the century and cataclysmic natural disasters have become commonplace. But with despair there is hope. With death, there is life, the past is always present, a paradox, it may seem.

Death Ray

A dead six foot ray at the bottom of Danzante Island, Baja California Mexico. The dead ray offers nutrients and life for fish and crabs feeding on it’s body. Life started in the water.

Sun King

The name of the boat “Sun King” said fast sounds like sinking. Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Monkey

Mankind evolved from the apes or is it the other way around. Quepos, Costa Rica

Dog Flight

Life started from water, animals grew fur. Dogs are man’s best friend. “Four legs good, two legs bad.” Rosie’s Beach, Long Beach, California

Hairy

Some human are further evolved than others. Venice Beach, California

Hairy Legs

La chica con piernas peludas tattooed on belly. Venice Beach, California

South Point

Automobiles long discarded but nature’s long grasses are trying to overcome the blemishes of humanity. South Point, Big Island, Hawaii

Los Gigantes

Contrary to what many believe, the desert can be mountainous. “Where the mountains come to swim in the sea”. Los Gigantes, Baja California Mexico.

Water Park Ruins

Huge hurricanes have attacked the Baja Peninsula resulting in massive floods and the destruction of attractions. Loreto, Baja California Mexico

Lone Donkey

Donkey on the wrong side of the fence. Liberia, Costa Rica

Udders

Two children reading information about cows at the Natural History Museum. Los Angeles, California

Tree

Guanacaste Tree is the national tree of Costa Rica. Many are dry and dead. Liberia, Costa Rica

Dick Ear

Bartender adorned in phallic charms. The Eagle LA, Los Angeles, California

Tree Shadow

Man delivering fruits and vegetables to one of the many restaurants. Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Showgirls

Women walking in front of Deja Vu strip club. Hollywood, California

Hollywood Star

Goth girls waiting to get into an industrial club. Hollywood, California

Pregnant

Glowy pregnant woman crosses a busy intersection in downtown. New life, hopes and dreams. Los Angeles, California

Balloon Lady

Mimicking shapes, a bounty of substance. La Crescenta, California

Baby

Young child napping on the beach bathed in sun. Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Globe

Swap meet shoppers looking for vintage and salvaged pieces of furniture. Globes and spheres represent the world. Pasadena, California

Inner Globe

Children put inside spheres like hamsters in a ball. A different look at having fun in confined spaces. Los Feliz, California

Carpool

Children waiting in their minivan after a long hot day at an amusement park. Valencia, California

In The Garden

A young girl playing in a tropical garden. So much wonder and amazement even in the dark of night. Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Forest Nymphs

Young children playing among giant redwood trees. Some of the largest living organisms on the planet. Woodside, California

A Smoke

Vaped covered face sharing a smoke at a local club. The Satellite, Los Angeles, California

Where There’s Smoke

Young boy concerned about the smoke being blown from a smoke machine. Los Angeles, California

The Smell

Pedestrians walking by smoke caused by the restoration of The Globe Theater. Concerns of asbestos are on their minds. Los Angeles, California

Umbrella

Rare storm hit Los Angeles but certainly not enough to cure the drought. Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, California

Rain

Young girl dressed in a Snow White costume enjoying playing in the water. A scene that may not be seen since the mandatory water restrictions. Los Angeles, California

Home Alone

Child startled and looking outside the window while being carried away by a parent. Mysterious shapes lurk outside. Montrose, California

White House

Abandoned structure at the base of the arroyo. Loreto, Baja California Mexico

Invasion

Marine exercises parachuting out of CH-47 Chinooks. Seal Beach, California

Aztec

Trophy store with a cast Aztec holding a spear, shield and hawk. Rewards for accomplishments can be bought. Loreto, Baja California Mexico

Counting Crows

Old lady with a fur cap, sweater and scarf in the middle of July counting her pennies. Farmers Market Los Angeles, California

Dragons

Artist trying out the new Dragons simulation on the Oculus Rift. Dreamworks Glendale, California

Catedral

Man glaring into the setting sun on Broadway. Los Angeles, California

Gothic

Woman stirring her drink looking down on the balcony of the restored Spanish Gothic-style theater from 1927. Theater at the Ace Hotel, Los Angeles, California

Church of the Night

Homeless person seeking refuge in the well lit entrance of Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Los Angeles, California

The Fallen

Old Lady falls down stepping up a high curb. Bystanders help her and make sure she’s alright. Central Market Los Angeles, California

Did I Die

Old man waiting for his bus on Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California

Hope & Despair

Old Lady holding her forehead in discomfort. Santee Alley, Los Angeles, California

Death Hill

Monuments celebrating death. Santa Rosalita, Baja California Mexico

Dark Wing

Airport worker taking refuge from the hot sun under the wing of a commercial airliner. Liberia, Costa Rica

The Island

A colossal view of Manhattan. New York, New York

Concepcion Volcano

One of the most active volcanos in the world. The creation of the earth, violent eruptions and destruction give way to fertile lands and life. Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua

David Valera

David Valera

David is a cinematographer in the animation industry in Los Angeles, California. during his free time he can be seen roaming the streets of Downtown L.A., Hollywood and surrounding areas capturing images of people going about their daily routines.

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Articles
June 2015

Interview with Carla Fiorina

Carla talks about how street photography is "history in the making" in our audio interview

Random Red Numbers

Neenad Arul reveals Mumbai life on the ever popular Marine Drive, with the help of some little red numbers

Times Square at the Millinium

Master photographer and storyteller Jesse Kalisher shares how to create a real treasure, a photo "in which both the aesthetic and the meaning fight equally for our attention"

Dark is the Light

David Valera shares his ongoing project that depicts the great contrasts between life and death, harmony and disparity, light and darkness, in essence, the paradox of life.

Street Shooters of Issue 23

Selections from our top contributors

Street Photography Magazine is the journal of street and documentary photography

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