Telling the story of the Tenderloin

Leaning on a parking meter, Mark Ellinger adjusts his camera to photograph some of his favorite architecture in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

May 2, 2012 2:48 PM PT

It would be hard to find a better photographer for the work in progress that is San Francisco’s Tenderloin than the work in progress that is Mark Ellinger. Where others see blight, the recording engineer turned homeless heroin addict turned self-taught historian and artist sees beauty.
See full story

Mark Ellinger works with groups such as San Francisco Architectural Heritage, for which he has lectured on the landscape of his favorite neighborhoods. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Annie Elias sits outside the Hotel Warfield. Elias’ play, “Tenderloin,” is a documentary, woven together by Elias from lengthy interviews with dozens of Tenderloin denizens, including Mark Ellinger. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

California

Telling the story of the Tenderloin

More From the Los Angeles Times

Mace, green lasers, screeching soundtracks: Inside the UCLA encampment on a night of violence

Large groups of protesters and officers in long standoff at UCLA

Long Beach weighs new hiring process as almost a quarter of jobs sit vacant

Four UCLA student journalists attacked by pro-Israel counterprotesters on campus