A New Focus

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He needn't have worried. His work has received raves from both critics and casual viewers. (American Photo magazine referred to Garcetti, 64, as a "prodigy," an appellation he relishes.) Partly as a result of the warm reception, he has abandoned any previously held notions of returning to law or politics. "I would have liked to have been Governor of California, but now that's far from being a passion," he says. "I've also been offered obscene amounts of money to handle legal cases and turned them down. There's more to life. I found another calling."

Describing himself as the "poster child for career change," Garcetti tells young and old alike that it's never too early--or too late--to pursue a passion. "Fear is almost natural, but people should be calculated risktakers," he says. "Look at what it is you really care about, and then do it. From risk often come great things."

Garcetti has his next five book ideas lined up, including two about L.A. life; one about bicyclists in Paris; a behind-the-scenes look at the TV legal drama The Closer (on which he serves as consulting producer); and an ambitious project about safe water, health and the empowerment of women in West Africa.

Beyond the gratification of helping with humanitarian efforts and being recognized for his talents, there's another benefit Garcetti is reaping from his new career: people no longer identify him solely with the failed Simpson prosecution. "It comes up, but it's usually not the first thing people ask me about now," he says. Yes, he has heard all the jokes about mug shots and crime-scene photos, brushing them aside good-naturedly. "I get a kick out of how hard it is for people to take me seriously as an accomplished photographer," he says. "I tell my lawyer friends that we're probably all artists in some respect, if you just scratch the surface and get the opportunity. I got lucky. I've been given that opportunity."