On New Year's Day 2026, Alon Goldsmith began a self-imposed challenge: a 365-day project of taking and posting a photo every day. By day 111, the Johannesburg-born, Los Angeles-based photographer had already faced the project's dual nature—sometimes a struggle to find a worthy subject, other times a challenge to choose among many.
Discovery on a Daily Ride
Goldsmith's daily bike ride through Venice and around Santa Monica Pier provided the backdrop for this particular image. He describes these areas as a “cornucopia of curiosities,” a rich hunting ground for his lens. “I spend a lot of rides hunting for photos,” he explains. “Looking at the world from this vantage point allows me to slow down and notice what’s around me in a different way. When I’m not rushing, the world reveals itself more fully.”
It was during one such ride that he spotted the Hi-Spy Viewing Machine, perched on the pier and gazing out over the beach. The machine, a relic of seaside entertainment, became the subject of his daily post.
Transforming the Image
Goldsmith chose to render the photograph in black and white during editing, a decision that he believes fundamentally alters its impact. “I think the change emphasises the graphic and cinematic nature of the composition,” he says. “The drama of the clouds in black and white adds sculptural weight, and the bird helps to anthropomorphise the machine, turning it into a lonely character gazing out at an empty beach.”
The image, shot on an iPhone 16 Pro Max, captures the machine as a solitary figure against a dramatic sky. The black-and-white treatment strips away distraction, focusing the viewer's eye on the machine's silhouette and the bird that seems to give it life.
Ethics of Street Photography
Despite the temptation to perfect the composition, Goldsmith adhered to a strict ethical code. Tidying up, or erasing elements like the swooping seagull or smudge of heaped sand, was out of the question. “The ethics of street photography forbid altering an image in that way,” he asserts. This commitment to authenticity is central to his practice, ensuring that the photograph remains a true document of the moment.
The resulting image stands as a testament to the power of observation and the unexpected beauty found in everyday scenes. Goldsmith's project, now past its 100-day mark, continues to reveal the world through his unique perspective, one day at a time.
