How has downtown SLO changed since 1980? This picture offers some clues
Feature photography is one of the joys of photojournalism.
Cinematic moments don’t happen by appointment — so when a photographer discovers one, it’s best to record it.
The Tribune has had a number of talented photographers over the years.
One of the best at capturing special moments on camera is Tony Hertz, who worked for the newspaper in the 1970s and 1980s. He now produces award-winning black-and-white landscapes.
When tropical storm Celia dropped as much as a tenth of an inch of rain in the area in early July 1980, Tony found Floyd Ellis in downtown San Luis Obispo making a call on a pay telephone while sheltering from the rain.
Another person can be seen in the background with an umbrella.
The photo, now 42 years old, is a study in how two different generations dress and react to their environment.
It’s also a time capsule of things you don’t see anymore.
The Central Coast still gets an occasional tropical storm in the summer but we haven’t seen abundant winter rainfall in the past few years.
Phone booths, landlines and Checker taxicabs are mostly things of the past.
The Auto Clinic seen in the background of the picture is now Libertine Brewing Company’s Broad Street location.
Mullet haircuts, however, have made a resurgence in recent years. It goes to show that some things never truly go out of style.
