Photo by Eric Rios

“The alley on this morning looked particularly clean and peaceful. That however changed at night. I believe the alley was a hangout for drug users and dealers and not to mention the gangs in the area as well.” — Eric Rios, via Flickr

By Vin

“As for the why, I am just attracted to the utilitarian aspect of things, including cities. If that makes any sense.” — Vincent, via Flickr

By Jorge Vismara

“Walking around in down, very down downtown Los Angeles.” — Jorge Vismara

By Amayzun

“I visit this alley quite often, because of the graffiti that is usually on the walls. When I went this particular time and saw this roll of film, it kind of bummed me out because I had just started shooting film and thought that the person who dropped it had to be bummed when they dropped this. I wanted to get on my knees to take this photo but with the not so good aroma of the alley and the questionable puddles on the ground, I got as close as I could and was quite satisfied with the shot.” — Amayzun, via Flickr

By Thomas Jensen

“I passed this alley walking down Douglas towards Sunset in Echo Park and I liked the way it looked; with the lonely old couch against a cinder block wall with some graffiti and a few very LA palm trees off in the distance. I also like the way colors came out on this old roll of cross-processed expired slide film.” — Thomas Jensen

By Marco Recuay

“The alley sits between a recording studio and some sort of office. It is oddly clean, like the rest of Old Town Pasadena, which gives it an uncanny appearance at night, especially in the fog.” — Marco Recuay via Flickr.

By Sandy L.

“I was walking my dogs early one morning. It was the American Flag that caught my eye originally. Rarely do we get stunning sunrises in West LA because of the marine layer. The fires in and around LA and Malibu contributed to a lovely sky. The alley, the poles and wires amongst the green trees and apartment buildings is common in LA.” — Sandy L. via Flickr

By Alex

“It was taken directly behind the Hollywood Masonic Temple/Jimmy Kimmel Live studio in Hollywood. I work in the building next to this one, so I’m out in this alley all the time.” — Alex, via Fickr.

By Rachael Porter

“This is the alley behind my bank. It’s filled with pot holes the size of kiddy pools and upon exiting the alley, you’ll notice old men headed into “Cheetahs” no matter what time you visit the bank. I’m serious, all hours. Who knew a strip joint was even open before noon?” — Rachael Porter

Photo by Doug McClintock

“I used to live in a loft facing this alley. [It was] 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning, prepping for a commercial. I stumbled upon these set up by a cracked out homeless guy during the night. He found them in a dumpster.” — Doug McClintock via Flickr.