Opinion: Downtown L.A. may be changing, but some of the city’s most interesting characters still call Broadway home

Downtown Los Angeles is changing, but Broadway is always an unpredictable show where people from all parts of the city come together. During rush hour everything is in flux. Diamond dealers, artists, Santeria priests, urban cowboys, Skid Row homeless and L.A.’s new gentry suddenly collide.  

For the past three years I’ve photographed the characters who live, work or simply walk the sidewalks of Broadway.

These people are the city. I’ve found that whatever you assume about them  there’s almost always a little bit more there.

Michael Jaffe is a Los Angeles-based street, music and fashion photographer. See his work at Mjaffephotography.com.

Richie “The Barber” near the intersection of 9th and Broadway.

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A self-proclaimed bus stop minister in front of the Broadway Mall.

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A Babal-Ay (santaria) healer preparing for the divination process.

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Billy Coates playing jazz near 9th and Broadway, as a woman runs to catch her bus.

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Flying the flag between 5th and 6th avenues.

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Micah in the crosswalk at 6th and Broadway

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