Hollywood
The bus stops and sidewalks of glamorous Tinseltown
Alex Q. Arbuckle
1979-1983
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/2io1pJJr_HAZDMHE9q8-Zx-Q0iQ=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.14.jpg" caption=""Yellow car and pantsuit on Hollywood Blvd."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
In 1979, 17-year-old Matt Sweeney left his home and headed to Hollywood with dreams of making it big as a filmmaker.It didn’t happen. Film production jobs never quite materialized, and Sweeney made ends meet by working in local photography shops. He spent his free time and weekends riding the bus and wandering the streets of West Hollywood with his Nikon F2, honing his visual instincts by shooting street photos on cinematic Kodachrome slide film.After four years chasing the dream, Sweeney decided to move on. He sold his equipment, but held on to the images he shot. They form a gritty and colorful record of life on the outskirts of the red carpet, of people who, like Sweeney, didn’t quite "make it."
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/Qw-rdVUSIP1EN3A74uzmGNgS_ss=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.09.jpg" caption=""Morning at the Hollywood and Vine payphone that got lots of use over the years."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/3c9lRW8jmgx8PE0CxWUCzKU5qeQ=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.02.jpg" caption=""Woman waits for bus in Hollywoodland on Beachwood."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/atzI5KJRB6NOPMXQf03KvLjdhPA=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.03.jpg" caption=""Hollywood and Vine, bus stop waiting."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/7xhvG_9YsjmLBJs_r-zypA6BT9Y=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.04.jpg" caption=""Hollywood and Vine. When asked to shoot she said, 'Honey, we are all vain.'"" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/_SCPZEptHf7AMk1v6awtw-kcEf8=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.05.jpg" caption=""RTD bus comes from Hollywoodland and turns onto Hollywood Blvd."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/ArkZhDhqX03bBurwlooPEco3o_k=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.06.jpg" caption=""Bald man reads newsstand sex rag while woman in blue pants walks by just off Hollywood Blvd."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/YgmMXTwR1tQ0qovzP0ofhHeqTyM=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.07.jpg" caption=""One of the many older folks waiting for the right RTD bus on Hollywood Blvd."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/vq-ozcD9AfFuasuYytrs6mfu2pw=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.08.jpg" caption=""Riding the bus out of Hollywood into LA as the sun sets."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/-CmiFJsuU3Z7_7jKFrltICg3lM0=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.10.jpg" caption=""Hollywood Blvd shoe store window after sunrise."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/Zsy2H1s4eA5LtG-FlrchV-eI_UA=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.11.jpg" caption=""The Den Mother and the Act stroll Hollywood Blvd while a man waits up the street for them."" credit="" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/0U-NPULgQT1x_n5F1GgzNC3FiqA=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.12.jpg" caption=""Gentleman with glasses and coat waits for bus on Hollywood Blvd."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/bKhy1_t7dnL1wefa9zBaa3Im0M8=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.13.jpg" caption=""A long time acquaintance with many names enjoys the attention on Hollywood Blvd morning."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/0X4NfietGewrfGXK20zOS0qxez0=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.15.jpg" caption=""Smoking at the bus stop between Mann's and Highland."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/d_bE60t7yGzOdIDS2wtQdwY237o=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.16.jpg" caption=""Waiting to cross Hollywood Blvd."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/rUdqZcFbSrt9Uk4C7zcIj36CY5g=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.17.jpg" caption=""General Hershey Bar does anti-war street theater in front of Mann's."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/jjQoELIjpW-tHgGstob0uaLRJjc=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.18.jpg" caption=""Tourist picture at Mann's."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/n3RbdS4mL6g3h-fihKOPxRM6cJA=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.19.jpg" caption=""Cowboy statue actor in front of Mann's gets a second look."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/I9Jo9JBAoU2TE5CbiGyAk4nxL7E=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.20.jpg" caption=""Woman in red in front of J.J. Newberry Co. and Frederick's of Hollywood."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/drxZUZ-TAEK6dFwFlpgRziJPr1k=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.21.jpg" caption=""Woman pets a duck at photo booth in front of J.J. Newberry Co. She was in Annie Hall's 'Heaven.'"" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/ZOILwkcZfDPEj8tFzYBCBDoflxI=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.22.jpg" caption=""A couple of older Hollywood residents take a stroll hand in hand."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/hk4VauVJ3LPCkLGdMKTiqlZM1NE=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.23.jpg" caption=""Three sweet and tough chicas cruising Hollywood Boulevard."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/Pn3z2JMSZqfrycobJ8Xfl84WLHk=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.24.jpg" caption=""A graffiti artist for Jesus just off Hollywood Blvd."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/kCJMKeA0qye3uXqZYkVCLWD8V6M=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.25.jpg" caption=""Waiting for the bus at the May Co at Wilshire and Fairfax."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/zVIQRWj44AC4MNMo9_HOuY-mRiM=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.26.jpg" caption=""Silverlake Fair from the laundromat."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/aW5lRCL2jW5rg184smOuKXvuISk=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.27.jpg" caption=""The Capitol building and Goodyear blimp at Hollywood and Vine."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]
[img src="http://i.amz.mshcdn.com/ZFIYt9ddD3UvuFQWFkynqp-P5es=/fit-in/1440x1440/uploads%2F2016%2F6%2F14%2Fmatt.sweeney.06.14.2016.1200L.01.jpg" caption=""Sunset in late ‘70s over Hollywood in the LA smog, shot from Hollywood Hills."" credit="Matt Sweeney" alt=""]