Was this photographer influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson?
Of course, Henri Cartier-Bresson is known for his rule of thirds in photographs (or art). But he didn’t mean like this, did he? That’s the Observatory way at one end, not at the third mark, and doesn’t it look fresh and new! This was also almost my exact view when I lived on Vermont Avenue.
The hillside looks bleak, but the photo wasn’t taken after the Griffith Park fire, but way way before. It’s from an old postcard, circa 1935, that Beatrice and Charles Soter, also on the committee, allowed me to use after I spied it atop their homeowner’s newsletter. It has dignity, doesn’t it?
Griffith Park and Observatory, from 1935 postcard
Donna Barstow
Griffith Park is the 2nd biggest park in the US, and I'm just the person to investigate it! I've lived here for over 25 years. I was part of the PROS Committee in Griffith Park Neighborhood Council and am on the Housing & Tenants Rights Committee in the Silver Lake NC. I'm in the LA Press Club, and you can find some of my articles in the LA Weekly and the Los Feliz Ledger. I'm a cartoonist for Parade Magazine, The New Yorker, LA Times, Slate, & most major media. Questions and contacts welcome.