Los Angeles: Every Street Tells A Story - pocketboek

     In the book, Los Angeles: Every Street Tells a Story, photographer George Tam takes you on a guided tour through the gritty streets of Los Angeles. As your guide, he will lead you in chance meetings of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.  Together you will discover beauty in imperfection and search for humor in the unusual and mundane.
     His keen eyes, photojournalism style, and connection with his subjects enable him to capture their images with rare sensitivity and honesty.  When asked about his inspiration for publishing this book, he explained, "When outsiders think of L.A., it conjures up stereotypical images in their minds that is not always flattering or accurate.  A common one I hear is that L.A. people are plastic, pretentious, and unapproachable.  I'm sure there are people like that here, but you can find them any place in the world. The Angelenos that I've had the pleasure to meet are engaging, friendly, and real.  Not everyone is an actor, model, rapper, or gangster.  What I want the readers to see is that L.A. residents are just regular folks like you and me.  They have similar problems and aspirations all doing their best to survive."
     In addition to human stories of L.A. residents, what else can readers expect to see in this book? "I want to take readers on a walk through different neighborhoods, places they may have driven by many times before, but never stopped to take a closer look.  When you get out of your car and start walking, time really slows down.  You begin to see little details about a place that you have missed.
     What is the most important thing Tam has learned?  "What I have learned is that everyone has a story to tell.  When we have the courage to share and take the time to listen, we are no longer strangers."