Posts by Jefferson Graham
Photographing the South Bay Lightning without getting hit
After he got an alert about strange weather coming to Manhattan Beach, local photographer Pete Halvorsen snapped into action. “That seemed like a really good opportunity to go the beach,” says Halvorsen, who lives in East Manhattan. After all, it’s not every day we see thunder and lighting in the South Bay. Richard Podgurski Jr.,…
Read MorePhotowalks is back with season 2
Photowalks, my travel photography series, is back for a second season on YouTube. The show is about going to visit fabulous places, and showing viewers where to get the best photo spots, both through my eyes and those of locals who live there. My main gist for the program is to show folks how to…
Read MoreRods, Rides & Relics on parade at Redondo pier
Story and photos by Jefferson Graham Nearly 100 classic cars returned to the Redondo Beach Pier Sunday for the 17th annual Rods, Rides & Relics show, organized by former Redondo fire chief and council member Pat Aust. Dana Graham’s restored 1929 silver Packard won the “People’s Choice” award while Smitty Smith received the “Participant’s” nod…
Read MoreClassic cars come back to Redondo Beach Pier
After taking a COVID break last year, classic cars returned to the Redondo Beach Pier Sunday for the 17th annual Rods, Rides & Relics car show, with nearly 100 cars on exhibit, mostly on the west side of the Pier. Cars of all vintage eras were on display, from Rod Benson’s 1909 Model T Ford,…
Read MoreWear Facebook on your face? Yay or Nay?
Think about it for a minute: if you’re willing to hold a camera to your eye, why not have a camera attached to it that can snap away, by voice instruction, instead of finger on the shutter? That’s the premise of Facebook’s new $299 camera glasses that also play music and podcasts. And if you…
Read MoreThis week’s Morning beach highlights
It was a great week to be on the beaches of Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach in the early mornings, as we had low tide every day. Or at least between 5:30 a.m. and 8 a.m., when we were out with the iPhone 12 Pro, documenting the Pier to Pier action. Here’s a sampling of…
Read MoreDon’t buy that new iPhone – yet
By Jefferson Graham We’re a little over a week from September, and for some of us, we’re thinking about the end of summer, Labor Day, that sort of stuff. For others, like me, it’s time to hone in on the new iPhone hype. Multiple editions of the best-selling consumer product in the world will be…
Read MoreGetting up early in the South Bay pays off for photos
By Jefferson Graham Good morning! I love waking up early and running outside with my camera. The quiet of the streets, with few cars, fewer people, the smells, the birds chirping, the morning dew, the reflections, fill in your cliche. You can sleep when you’re dead. Or at least take an afternoon nap. There is…
Read MoreManhattan Beach Photowalk Thursday 8/19
Who’s up for a Thursday night Photowalk? Bring your camera and/or smartphone, meet some new people, take some great photos and pick up some tips about how to improve your photos, led by the former USA TODAY columnist and local photographer. Namely me. All are welcome, whether you’re just starting out with your smartphone camera,…
Read MoreApple wants to snoop on iPhone photos
By Jefferson Graham The photos on your iPhone will no longer be private to just you in the fall. The photos are still yours, but Apple’s artificial intelligence will be looking through them constantly. Apple’s algorithm will be inspecting them, looking out for potential child abuse and nude photo issues. The NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden,,…
Read MoreBut wait, there’s more! Remembering Ron Popeil
Ron Popeil died this week. You may not know the name, but you do know the lines “But wait, there’s more,” and “Set it and forget it.” “As Seen on TV,” was a Popeil invention. As was “It slices. It dices.” You know or have heard of the products, from the Veg-O-Matic to the spray can to…
Read MoreFormer Redondo Beach Fire chief admits he’s “crazy.” Crazy for collecting
People have called Pat Aust crazy, and he’s fine with that. The retired Redondo Beach Fire Chief’s passion for collecting has him living atop a custom built 2,400 square foot garage in his Redondo Beach home. It’s crammed with 13 vehicles from mostly another place and era, like a vintage Fire Chief’s 1938 red Ford…
Read MoreManhattan Beach Photowalk July 22
Join former USA TODAY columnist and local photographer Jefferson Graham at the Manhattan Beach Pier. Bring your smartphone (or if you prefer, camera) for a social meetup to take memorable photos of the beach. And pick up some tips on how to get better smartphone photos in front of what will hopefully be an awesome…
Read MoreScenes from the Hermosa Beach Ironman July 4th, 2021
The annual Hermosa Beach July 4 tradition that is the Ironman competition attracted upwards of over 500 people Sunday, as people seemed eager to get back out and party after a year or more of being cooped up inside. The rules: run a mile, paddle a mile and then down a six-pack. You know what…
Read MoreWhen all is lost, Steve will find it with his metal detector
by Jefferson Graham That guy on the beach with the metal detector. The one looking for leftover loot like rings, coins and other things that might be worth some money? If his name happens to be Steve Smith, he’s not just engaging in recreation. He’s working on behalf of clients who have asked him…
Read MoreGuitars and the crazy people who love them – a new series about collecting
By Jefferson Graham You can never have enough guitars. Even in a home with ten of them hanging on the walls, resting on couches, standing erect on the ground in guitar holders, I feel I’ve only just scratched the surface. My friend Scott Kelby has 40 of them. But that’s nothing. The great guitarist Billy…
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