Chinese Lanterns in Los Angeles' Chinatown
The kitschy colorful Los Angeles Chinatown is still home to hard working immigrant families, trying to carve out a living in a foreign land. They bring a piece of their culture, which is very different from the western world. Chinatown thus becomes a major attraction for photographers almost by definition. The vibrant colors, competing with each other, almost look unreal. The striking Chinese letters have the appeal of art décor beautifying the facades of most buildings.
Hollywood loves the small Chinatown of Los Angeles, featuring it in movies, television and advertisements.
How to get there
Chinatown is located close to Downtown Los Angeles. Just follow N. Broadway for about 1 mile north.
Take the Pasadena Freeway (110) to Chinatown. Arriving from the south, take exit 24 and merge onto N. Hill Street and arriving from the north take N. Hill Street exit towards Civic Center. You can find parking meters on N. Broadway Street. During my last visit, parking was free on Sundays, but I recommend checking the meters to avoid trouble.
GPS position
Central Plaza: N34 03.922 W118 14.228
How to photograph Los Angles Chinatown
Main Plaza
Locals at the central plaza
Make the main plaza your first destination in Chinatown! It is the most authentic, colorful and inspiring location. It offers by far the most attractive photo opportunities. You can photograph the Gate of Filial Piety (East Gate), a garden with small pool, a Buddha and plants, a Sun Yat-sen statue, colorful facades and the locals at the plaza.
During my visit, a group of elderly Chinese men sat on the public benches, palavering in stereotypical fashion with their loud monotonic voices in what seemed to be an important affair. I could not resist the temptation to include them in my photograph. I tried not to disturb the conversation by becoming invisible. Despite my best efforts, one of the men noticed me and looked straight into my camera. The local men gave the whole scene authenticity. The complete absence of other tourists could place it somewhere in China, if it weren’t for the English sign.
Try to be inconspicuous when you photograph people without their knowledge. Use a wide-angle lens and don’t aim it directly at the group to avoid being noticed. When your subjects remain engaged in their activity, the pictures usually look more genuine. Most people assume unnatural poses when they sense the presence of a camera.
Metro Gold Line Station
Located just a couple of blocks from the main square, Metro Gold Line Station draws attention with its distinct Asian architecture. The fascinating station is very hard to separate from the background clutter. No matter where you turn, something seems to be getting in the way of a compelling photograph. The parking lot west of the station offers an unobstructed view with only small background interference. Get up to the platform and use it as a foreground element with the civic center or downtown buildings in the background.
Detail photographs
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Los Angeles’ Chinatown doesn’t lend itself to wide angle scenic photography, but you can still create decent photographs by concentrating on details. A defining feature of Chinese architecture is its abundant use of adornments. The pedestrian crosswalks on N. Broadway Street are a good example.
You could wait for one or two pair of feet showing up to tell an interesting story, or maybe a child who is fascinated by the symbols.
Tile Murals, on N Broadway between W College St and Lei Min Way, resemble hanging scrolls on the building. Like ancient Chinese drawings, these murals are exceptional artworks documenting stories from ancient Chinese history.
Best Time of the Day and Best Season
Chinatown usually won’t be your destination in Los Angeles, but an addition to another trip. There is no reason to spend the magic hour of photography here, unless you have sufficient time to cover all of Los Angeles. Any time during the day is o.k. for photography in Los Angeles. Avoid the hot summers if you can.
Time required
One to two hours is all you need for this location.
Equipment
- Wide angle lens
- Superzoom lens
Difficulty Photographing
Creating striking compositions amidst the chaos of Chinatown is difficult.
Close Locations
- Downtown Los Angles
- El Pueblo and Union Station
- Walt Disney Concert Hall
- Universal Studios
- Griffith Observatory
- Mulholland Drive
- The Huntington Library and Gardens
- Pasadena
- San Gabriel Arcangel Mission
- Venice Beach and Canals
- Santa Monica
- Malibu
- Getty Center
- Long Beach
- Queen Mary
Useful Resources
Public Art in Chinatown (good overview of potentially interesting subjects)
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