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For the 18th year, Stephen Cohen brought PhotoLA to Los Angeles, proving again to the world that there is a strong support of the photographic arts in the land of LA.

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With a solid range of images and book selections, the overall fair seems to lean toward the classical realm of photography.
There are some notable exceptions however, including a piece of performance art, where the artist,Tiffany Trenda, has placed herself inside of a box camera, and the viewer is invited to peer into the lens, where they’ll be greeted with another camera-head and a monitor showing their face. Sound confusing?
It’s probably just the description but maybe these shots will help.

[photopress:camera.jpg,full,centered]Outside of Camera
[photopress:_.jpg,full,centered] What the viewers see

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What passerbys will see

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The Hurrell Estate is on hand with the classics from the Hollywood master,

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and the king of huge prints, Doug Christmas from the Ace Gallery did not disappoint.

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Jill Greenberg’s new work, “everyonehateseveryone” is at the Clampart Gallery

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The booksellers are out with D.A.P., Aperture, Modernbooks, Schaden and LeadApron in the mix, along with some of the finest in collectible, out of print books, from the high end booksellers.

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The Blind Photographers Guild has become a regular exhibitor

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Santa Monica cornerstone photo dealer, Peter Fetterman, is on hand, as always.

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One of our favorite folks from NYC, Michael Foley, was already in the swing, meeting and greeting. One of the nicest dudes out there.

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Plus he had photographer Naomi Harris, the artist behind the current controversial, America Swings book, stopping by the booth.

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OK, there are photographs, photo books, and some of the photographic cognoscenti under one roof.
But one of our favorite parts are the seminars and conversations.
To be able to hear first hand from the artists about their work is invaluable. And inspiring.
Plus there are experts who will advise you on collecting.
Sure, in this economy you may not be looking to buy art.
Cash and gold, they say. But you may find deals on the art that moves you, and it is a good investment.
Whichever way you go, you owe it to yourself to get to these seminars. Just another way to think about photography.
And go the the fair. Time well spent.
More highlights tomorrow.