In the Gloaming

That moment of twilight, when the sun kisses the Earth before disappearing, inspires art. A bicyclist speeds past a dance of shadows in downtown Los Angeles. A scene from San Pedro appears to be a moody Edward Hopper painting. And sunset finds Bernard Samuel, a.k.a. “Snakeman,” strolling Melrose Avenue with his boa constrictor.

The Upshot

Take a look. What do you see? A dream--or maybe a nightmare? Mike Hoback, left, gazes reverently at a 1962 Bentley as he polishes its grille. An apprehended suspect in Costa Mesa beholds a different prospect as he looks up at the face of the law.