Not exactly sure how to begin this rant. I can promise you it will most likely be overly dramatic as well as quite cheesy in nature. 

I always can tell where I am at just by what that environment sounds like. It’s about 6:30pm here in Los Angeles as I write this and it is quite nice out. I can hear the palm trees moving, cars passing by, and drivers honking, losing their patience even on a calm Sunday such as this. 

The sounds I hear from my place here in LA are quite different than those I hear from my parents backyard in Fairmount, or the distinct sounds of Brooklyn or Manhattan. I love the differences. I love going back to Indiana and relaxing in the quiet nature of Fairmount. I always know I am in New York when I hear many sirens, many feet hitting the ground, and taxi drivers honking. 

It’s crazy how many sounds can help you reference where you are. I came out to the balcony this evening to read a book by Annie Leibovitz, but I was distracted by how lost in LA I was. The quiet evening breeze and children playing across the street, it would be impossible for me to forget where I am. 

Here’s a photo from my balcony. Taken in February of this year. This was the first photo I’ve ever taken on 35mm film. Can you hear LA through this photo? 

Matt Shouse