The Golden Hour...

First light as the city starts to waken.  The mundane looks so different.

There's a Lost Horizon...

Name the composer of the song.

In the Wee Small Hour of the Morning...

The title is actually from a song.  Name the singer who made this song popular.

Step together...

Makes me wanna cry...

This picture deserves to be a bit blurry.  This is the Embarcadero Bart station.  The wall is actually covered in brushed metal.  It was once gleaming with the vapor lamps above.

The Bart system was designed to be a clean, fast and modern.

Now the morons that run the system ran ugly conduit cross the top of the wall  and the brushed metal has several layers of dirt in it.  What the heck happened.

Another presentation...

4 slides per page powerpoint presentation.  Rehearsing what he will be saying.  Ah yes.... corporate life.  It can really...

Checking it out...

I'm talking about the woman checking her messages on the smartphone.  Not the guy looking at her from the platform.

Oh Please 2 ???

Now working the crowd with my eyes closed.

Oh Please ???

This cute dog really knows how to work a crowd.  Taken outside of a Noah's Bagels in San Francisco.

Say Cheese...

Seeing these people pose for a shot, I was curious to see what camera.  What a let down, another cell phone camera.

Variants on a theme...

This photo is of a modern update on the old San Francisco Federal Reserve building.  A building that once housed billions of dollars in currency and gold.  Variants on a theme of how old and new have been combined.

However this blog posting has to do with another topic that this photo seems to fit.
Recently I rediscovered a movie that I saw back in the 80's.  The film... THE VERDICT staring Paul Newman, James Mason and Jack Warden.  Besides being a good film with outstanding actors, I want to bring to everyone's attention the photography that was utilized.

As you know, Street Photography is a passion.  Although it is a Hollywood film with every scene carefully scripted and captured, there was a lot of photographic techniques used that is hard to see today.
Today, it's all about camera movement, close-ups and the over use of trying to make the capture of the scene appear to be live or documentary like by having the camera film the scene like a home movie.

THE VERDICT, directed by Sidney Lumet and cinematography by Andrezj Bartkowiak utilized so many photographic techniques, that we all continue to learn and discover, to convey the message and tell the story ( sounds like a Street Photographer / Photojournalist to me ).

Being a Street Photographer, seeing scenes that I would consider a great "street" shot added to the enjoyment.

So... "Calling All Photographers".... take a look at The Verdict.

Natural light...

Reminisce...

One of the great things about not having to drive is that it gives you time to think, reminisce or day dream.

It's not green...

This dog had more sense.

Seriously and Happily...

Back in the day...

Before digital photography, the way to take fun photos with instant results was either with a Polaroid or climbing into a photobooth.  Grab a friend, hop in, make funny faces and just have FUN !!

On a Serious Note...

This blog has tried to bring you various themes on street photography from my perspective to which I can only hope you have enjoyed.

Recently I was told by someone very dear to me that she now has to face what so many people seem to be facing nowadays..... cancer.  Having already seen what this dreaded illness can do and now be told that once again it has reared it's ugly head, makes you stop and think about life.

I ask that all of you take the time to smell the roses because before you know it, tomorrow is already here.  That old saying about living each day as if it were your last day is very true.  Take care of yourself and those around you.  Life is precious and try not to put yourself into a position of saying the "woulda, shoulda, coulda"  I guarantee that you will kick yourself if you allow it to happen.

We want to go here...

... the part of the map that is missing.

Laughter...

People smiling and laughing is the best medicine in the world.

Hands of Expression...

The human body is magnificent.  Beyond mechanics and function, the human body is expressive.  A language all to itself.

Must be a boy dog...

I'll lick your hand but I'm keeping an eye on you.

Two for lunch...

Young and Free...

To be able to pack your things in a backpack, have a companion and just go.  There will be plenty of time to be part of the "rat race".

You gotta be kidding...

"ok... just read the fine print.... it's all there."

Crazy Hats and Caps...

Don't know why people just seem to want to buy these things.... ok, guilty... I got a Giants Panda hat.

Never too old...

Just get up and go for a walk.  She's experienced.  Sweater, backpack, waist pack and light jacket tied around her.

Ghosts...

This guy just seems to be transpartent.  Perhaps I should have saved this image for Halloween.

All I want is 51¢...

See.... we start them off young.  First with the mechanical vending machines and later the Slot Machines.

King of the crosswalk...

Marcing across the street if as though he was master of the world.

The Cost...

Glad to see people spend money on photographs.

The Names may have changed...

The only difference between now and then.  I had to be in a suit and tie.  These two are field tech's.  The dress shoes, slacks, shirt, go cart, bungee cord, day timer and shades.

The Morning Glow...

You can't beat mother nature.  The light through the trees just framed this woman's face.

Getting the shot...

Should anyone ever say, "photographers just stand around and take pictures", they know not of what they speak.  Be a Street Photographer for just an hour or two and you'll walk, run, sprint, squat, bend, etc...

Shooting Close...

Street photography requires a whole different set of skills and techniques.  I had the great fortune today to shoot with a pair of extremely talented photographers.  For those of you into Street Photography, the person on the right is indeed the famous Eric Kim.  Showing that there are times you do have to get really close to capture the human spirit.  My thanks to Tom and Eric.

Writing...

In a world full of computers, smart phones, tablets, etc.... it's refreshing to see someone actually sit down and write.

Rails...

"There's something about a train that's magic..."  name the TV commercial and the decade.

Sounds familiar?

The Office...

Many years ago when I worked in the financial district, the team I was with called this area "The Office".  Lot's of great moments here.  As long as the weather is nice, I'll probably call this spot "The Office" once again.

Birds with a plan...

"Ok.... each of us take a fence post and look cute...."

I wanna get off...

There just seem to be more things to transport the little ones in now a days.

Buy Me Something too...

If I can talk to the animals.  Wondering what this dog was really saying.

Armed and Dangerous...

The city employee to the right had in his hand something that looked like a dangerous weapon.  It's actually a pair of tongs.

Mall Cop...

I know that their intentions were probably right... but painting this thing black and white just seems too comical.  I wonder if this thing has a siren.

Street Scene...

Once upon a time...

... people went to Barber Shops.  Now it's hair salons, hair studios, etc...  Seeing a barber shop pole was once a comon sight.