Gusmano Cesaretti, an Italian photographer, moved to Los Angeles in 1969. He was curious about the city, especially the East LA neighborhoods. He became one of the first to photograph the people and places there. Cesaretti didn’t just take pictures from a distance. He got to know the people, becoming part of their lives. He wanted to understand their culture.
His photos show the real East LA of the 1970s. You see Chicano culture, with its cool cars and unique style. He captured everyday moments: people hanging out with friends, families at home, kids playing in the streets. Cesaretti’s pictures weren’t posed or fake. They showed life as it was. He used his camera to tell the story of a community that many people didn’t know much about.
You can see a lot of Cesaretti’s work from this time in his book, “The Thrill Is Gone.” It has sections on different parts of LA life, like bikers, Folsom Prison, and even the famous Muscle Beach. The book is a window into a time and place in Los Angeles that has changed a lot.
