Here is a self portrait of my chihuahua and I. I used 2 softbox hot lights, tripod and a timer. I found it best to take Makai’s picture while holding him. He makes the perfect photo assistant!
Here we are on Makai’s family’s homepage!
**All of the images on this site have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
Sometimes I am not sure which way is up and who is down. Thankful I am for these moments, they bring me a little peace once I have returned. Here I find myself looking up at a ladder, leading to a bell tower. There is beauty and life in this seemingly lifeless building. I find myself in the most amazing places sometimes. I like the emptiness of life here at the old police headquarters.
*** All images have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
As I go through life I look for these small opportunities, casting light on my mission. This day I found many little surprises in the Marina area of San Diego. Once there was light and probably bookings going on in here, maybe a lady in a pencil skirt and peep toe heels typing prisoner files. After all it was built at the end of the 30’s. I really thing that must have been a grand time. I imagine myself roaring through the 1940’s, Hollywood crime booming. Ahh, the good ole days.
*** All images have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
I can’t get enough of abandoned buildings.
*** All images have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
I imagine the man that spent his days behind these numbers. Wondering what his crimes were and when he was incarcerated. This jail was built in 1939 for downtown San Diego. It was used until the eighties and abandoned ever since. It is being stripped apart, sold and chopped up into (haunting) retail venues.
*** All images have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
A great place for photography is the abandoned San Diego Police Headquarters. Built in 1939 and used until the mid 80’s. This is now under construction for a new retail space. There are still a few rows of cell blocks and plenty of toilets to view. The place is quite large and I imagine it goes underground. We found a few good places to photo shoot, oh how I wish to do a fashion piece here before it’s remodeled.
Enjoy it while there is still a bit of history left. San Diego is experienced at wiping away all traces of yesteryear for the sterile use of today.
*** All images have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
Whilst in the archives, I grabbed out my random guy getting taken for a ride on Centre St in Hillcrest. The younger man started a fist fight as I was walking by. I pulled out my handy dandy Canon and started shooting. He even looks up at me while giving the old guy a bloody lip. I must say, when he wouldn’t let go of the car, as it drove away, I was in shock. I forgot I was even taking pictures, then grabbed one as they drove past me. The younger man’s legs dangling in the street. Kiddies, don’t do drugs, please.
*** All images have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
With last night’s shooting fresh on my mind, I dig into my archives.
The first time I heard someone screaming at me, “Get Down!”, I lived in San Francisco off Laguna & Eddy St. I recall 5 shots then, no victims this time. I was there for the aftermath, as usual. But not for long, the shots were related to gang violence and not a place for me. These are a few of my shots from the “do not cross” tape, provided by SFPD.
*** All images have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
Sometimes it’s the smallest things that make me smile. And when it comes in the form of a photograph, I know I can smile over and over. I took this picture of an old fence we found on our walk about Inverness Ridge. A snapshot makes my day, everytime i see it.
*** All images have been taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
A few years back I lived under the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. Los Angeles had just gone through a rigorous remodel with the observatory. Due to an accidental fire, it almost went up in flames. As I stood on my roof, wondering if I should evacuate, I decided to capture a moment. This moment is now burned into my memory and one of the last reminders of living in Los Angeles.
*** These images were taken by Melody Hall and are copyright.
Lake Henshaw fades away… I can’t believe this lake used to fill this area, now theres about 1/10 of it left. I’d make my way to view another lost natural resource, human consumption isn’t pretty.
*** This image was taken by Melody Hall and is copyright.
I remember running up Market street in San Francisco, chasing Joy. I looked up and snapped this shot. I had to keep running, I was being left behind. This is a photo-shop virgin.
Melody Hall 
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