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Photography: San Francisco

A few weeks ago, I drove my son to the airport in San Francisco and a week later returned to pick him up. On both occasions, I took my camera along for some street photography with the goal of experimenting with composition and having fun. I once again edited these in a retro-style, but this time making them brighter. I’d love to know what you think and if you have a favorite photo.

Also, I’m almost halfway done with my poetry challenge, and I’m at the point where I’m asking myself daily, “What am I even doing?” I’m staying up late and dealing with more pain lately, and it’s making everything feel hard. Hoping my motivation returns soon.

Thank you to everyone who comments on my poems and photography. I appreciate it more than you know. Have a great week!

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**All photos are mine, taken with an Olympus E-M1 MarkII and edited with Lightroom Classic

33 thoughts on “Photography: San Francisco”

  2. What a kaleidoscope, seems like you had fun. I do like the studies of the GG bridge, different from the panoramic shots that us strangers are used to seeing.
    Second – every other business seems to be an ethnic restaurant. I’m guessing that it would be pretty cheap to eat there? Here (Jersey, CI) we have ethnic places too but they are generally upmarket and as pricey as any other place.
    Third – I’m fascinated generally with the ubiquitous external fire escapes on American apartment blocks and other tall buildings. A rarity in the UK
    Fourth – I’m conscious that I tend to comments only on your photo subjects as I’ve no idea what is technically good or not. I’m hopeless.

    Reply

    • Hi Roy! Photography isn’t all about the technique, but about subject and emotion. I welcome your comments and always enjoy them! Most of these photos take place in the Chinatown area. San Francisco is huge with so many diverse neighborhoods. I’ll have to focus on another next time I visit.
      I too am always fascinated by fire escapees on the outside of buildings-probably because of the movies-but also they are just interesting. I didn’t know they were rare in the UK. Glad you liked my Golden Gate shots. I’ve taken many over the years, but it looks different depending on the angle and light. It was a windy and foggy day, which is kind of my favorite.

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    • Thank you! The bridge area was so windy that I only took a few shots, but I’m glad you liked these. Not sure why I’m so attracted to these retro colors right now, but I’m just going with it.

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  7. Amazing Kodachrome look! It almost feels like a period piece. I wonder if you might want to process the skies separately to tone down some of that turquoise.

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  10. I love San Francisco and your photos are all truly a gift to see. Thank you for all of them. They provide a wonderful city portrait. I especially like the pigeons, Fillmore, your pen and journal, the bridge, the church top in those clouds and those Chinatown street scenes. Thank you for all of these.

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  11. I used to spend so much time in San Francisco, over almost half a century. but it all came to a close during Covid. Alas.
    Your photos, though, bring it all back. Vividly.
    So thank you.

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      • To be fair, I had to leave all the time – about once a month – but Covid stopped me going there. I used to meet up with my cousin and, when I told her I was coming, she would book a restaurant. It became known as our ‘tiny table’ dinners, because she always seemed to find a place where they would tuck us into a corner with a table barely large enough for two plates. I suspect that she organised it on purpose after a while.
        So your little photo tour was a bit like a revisit, but without knees touching under the table.
        I thank you again.

  12. I really like these. They seem to me to be ‘normal’ photos with vibrant color that are subject to a green tint. I think that works especially well with all the Chinatown photos. The two Golden Gate Bridge photos are tremendous!

    My approach to the poems is different probably because I’m less sincere? If necessary, I just dash off something which seems poetic and comments on where I am and what’s happened in the past 24 hours. You seem to take it to heart more. I fully believe one gets out what one puts in, so that means you’re doing a better job than I.

    But reactive poetry without conscious intervention has its place….

    Reply

    • I think we are both doing amazing, friend. Poetry is a sort of alchemy. A mixing of life and metaphor, always with meaning deeper and often hidden. I see what you are doing and I’m here for it!

      Also, I’m glad you like these. I may have got a bit heavy handed on some, bumping up the contrast a bit higher than necessary, but I’m experimenting and having fun!

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  14. Numbers 1, 7, 8, & 9 look like scenes from a movie. And who’s #29? Her hair is luring, and I love the coffee cup!

    Great shots!

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    • I’m so glad you say they look like scenes from a movie, because I’m trying out a more “cinematic” vibe. So glad it translated! That’s my childhood best friend, Angy. Isn’t she just so beautiful? We got to spend some time together last week and it was wonderful.

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