WorkPhotography

Voyeuristic photo series captures "wandering misfit" on the neon lit Sunset Strip

This neon-drenched photography series by Los Angeles-based, Robert Lang, captures the night-time activity of a 'misfit' wandering the Sunset Strip, The Valley and East Hollywood. Through the subject, described as "a complicated person and beautifully tragic, like LA itself", the photographer strives to put a magnifying glass over a cross-section of the city’s “odd balls and weirdos”.

Written By:
Blonde woman in peach jacket and teal shorts poses in front of mirror reflecting bedroom with potted plants and wooden furniture in warm, retro-toned photograph

Lang explains: "One day, when looking for an apartment to rent in West Hollywood, this creature was sat on the couch with a scraggly peroxide wig and unintentionally smeared makeup, tapping her pleather boot heel repeatedly on the floor while puffing hard on a cigarette. She was only to be known as the enigma, Natale.

"I was intrigued by her but could only find a fake Facebook account for her. Fascinated, I created a storyline of what she would do on a night out in LA." And this is the resulting series.

Robert Lang has no formal training in photography and is self-taught. His first occupation was as the official Fashion Week Front of House / Backstage photographer for the Daily Mail. Over the years, he has covered London, Paris, Paris Couture and New York Fashion Week, as well as contributing editorial to various fashion magazines. Discover more at robertlangphoto.com.

All images copyright of Robert Lang

Figure in blonde wig and gold fur coat stands beneath a vibrant red neon sign reading "Girls Girls Girls" on the Sunset Strip at night
A person with long platinum blonde hair stands in front of bright red neon lights, their face illuminated by the vivid glow in photographer Robert Lang's Sunset Strip series
Portrait of a person with a blonde fringe and striking blue eyeshadow, wearing bold magenta lipstick and resting their face against their hand, bathed in warm orange and red lighting
A distorted reflection in a round hand mirror shows a face with blue makeup, surrounded by potted plants and cut flowers on a shelf
Person with platinum blonde wig and vibrant blue eyeshadow holds hands to face with bright pink lips, bathed in neon orange and yellow lighting
Person with platinum blonde wig and blue eyeshadow posed in front of a brightly lit neon clown sign on the Sunset Strip at night
Woman with blonde hair and pink lipstick gazing upward beneath glowing neon yellow and red "SIGNS" lettering on the Sunset Strip at night
Share

Further Reading