It is summer, and in Fair Oaks that means it is hot. A photography meet-up group planned to meet in Vallejo and travel by ferry into San Francisco. Great escape from the heat, and great way to capture some images with my new Fuji x100f.
The Vallejo Ferry goes to the San Francisco Ferry Building or Pier 41 near Fisherman’s Wharf. The drive is easy, and parking early on this Saturday morning was simple. The parking fee and round-trip ferry ride cost $22.00 (for Seniors). Cheaper than finding parking around the Embarcadero. I like hassle free travel.
We pass under the Oakland Bay BridgeSatisfied with the image
Arrived at the Ferry Building and right away the group scattered. I like to spend the day photographing with a friend, and so Anne and I forged ahead. Preparing for this day I decided that I would focus on little stories or interactions between people. There was no shortage of people out enjoying the day. The San Francisco Ferry Buildingwas getting busy when we arrived just before 10 a.m.
Artisan Cheese discussionAn interested by-standerSampling some chocolate
Lighting was tricky, and we decided to head out to walk the Embarcadero. Plan to meet @ Pier 41 for our ferry ride home at 4 pm.
He shows me what he was eating. Looks yummy.
Families, tourists, and locals crowd the street.
The little red haired girl caught my friend’s eye. I was interested in how the rest of the family reacted to her getting the attention.
There are lots of ways people travel down the Embarcadero.
Many tour buses allow for on/off possibilitiesA modern version of a rickshawGo-cart tours stopped in trafficSkooter powerAttention Grabbers from AlcatrazSegway tourists take off
My friend and I click away as we walk down the street.
Spotted this lone man waiting to cross the streetHaving trouble taking everything with him into the restroom
It is about lunch time, and we arrive at Pier 39.
I leave you with the promise to post more from this adventure soon.
Street photography is fun! Where do you go when you want to capture your images?
My camera and I ventured to the central coast of California last month. There I got away from the noise of life. Our destination town Cambria met all the requirements for peace.
Our cottage across from Moonstone Beach provided a lovely, easy morning walk. Many dogs accompany their owners along the boardwalk.
JoJo stops to pose for meAnd they continue on their way.
The first day the air was crisp without even a breeze. Dare I take a macro shot. Usually when I think of it the wind starts up.
California poppy
Sea Gull (my high school mascot) hangs outEach finds something to enjoy on this walk
Today I am an observer and enjoyer of nature. My lightweight camera system is perfect for this morning.
Finding faces in the rock formationPride of Madera put on quite a showMy shutter is so quiet I quickly caught him. He soon hopped out of sight.Checking out the tide pool
Spent some time watching this couple. Trying to imagine their conversation.
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
This first morning in Cambria enjoying Moonstone Beach clears the mind. Where do you go to clear your mind?
The rest of the day was perfect and I will share in the coming weeks. Nice to remember this anniversary vacation.
I grew up watching my Dad talk to everyone he met. At times I felt a bit embarrassed. We would be stopping at a grocery store and the conversation would start with the cashier. I would think, just pay for the milk and bread already. Standing in line my Dad would strike up a conversation with the people waiting behind us.
Well I find that lately I am following in my Dad’s footsteps. This is particularly true when it comes to my dog. My Libby acts as quite the ice breaker. Her friendly demeanor draws people to her. I love sharing her with others. When my parents were in an assisted living setting I always visited with my dog. I kind of miss taking her there. When I am at a pet store I start conversations from treats, training, leashes and everything in between. Rather than be bored waiting on line I look around, and inevitably I’m in conversation. Sometimes I find I have a question to ask, or an opinion to state (My 2 cents worth!). I shop by myself, and if I have trouble deciding I will ask anyone around. Lately I can’t find helpful sales people around. The shopping experience has changed, but that is a conversation for another day.
I am often told that I look like someone else. This has happened on both coasts of the country. It has happened when I was 40 years younger, when my hair was long, short, straight or curly. No not me, I reply. Then I am asked if I am related to … No and I have no sister. Have you ever been mistaken for another person? Another conversation starter.
How does this relate to my original question? Well I bought my new camera with the intention to get into bringing personality into my photography. A simpler camera, an easy way to change settings, a totally silent shutter, and a less invasive look helps. Having a big camera with a powerful zoom can capture people without their knowledge. Stand back and peek at the world. Less confrontational. Until they turn and see your big lens pointed at them, I fear. More of a paparazzi feel to the image. May make for an interesting story. This may be something I am over thinking, and I need to change my attitude.
This image was taken with a zoom lens. Not sure if the natural feel would have been there if they were aware. I felt safe capturing the moment.
My street photography tells a story!.
For me to capture people close up I will need to bring myself into the game. This is where I move out of the comfort zone. But if I start with my new found use of conversation with people I meet, I may get a more satisfying photograph. Then I will have a story behind the image to remember. That will be “the connection”.
Looking through my over 40,000 images I am currently drawn to the photographs with people in them. Now I want to review why I like them. I am not talking about my family photos. That is a different set of circumstances. I am looking at some of my landscapes where I included people in the image and the landscape provides the environment.
In the middle of Old Sacramento this couple would not have noticed me. Again, I was using my zoom lens.
Eyes for you!
I also need to look at location and situation where people and environment come together. Festivals, city streets, group gatherings parades all provide good opportunities. Here are some photographs I have taken over the years.
Renaissance Fair
What did I do wrong?Playing with fireFather & son juggling
4th of July Parade
Folsom 4th of July ParadeStreet performer in Seattle. A tip provided the incentive, and a face to face encounter!This time no eye contact.
Captured this couple in the mining town of Columbia. They had finished shopping. Some post processing added an old time feel.
Quietly seated among the daffodilsSilhouette at McKineley ParkThrough the corn maze
Captured from a distance or from the back is easy enough for me, but now I’m looking to up my photography and make the connection.
With my 35mm viewpoint found in the Fuji X100F I can capture the person in their environment. Find a good location and wait. This is one street photographer’s approach. I need to be comfortable with my new camera’s capability. Many street photographer’s share their images in black & white. Usually I focus on color, so I may need to study what makes the black & white process pop. My raw files can always be changed to black & white later.
Not sure how conducive the suburban or rural life will give me similar settings. Luckily Fair Oaks brings back Fiesta Days this weekend and I plan to be there making a connection.
I wanted a new perspective when out taking picture. I no longer say, “Out shooting.” I wanted to add human interest into my images. With that in mind, I purchased a new single focus small camera. The Fuji X100F provides a lot of features in a compact camera. With a 23mm lens (35mm perspective) I now need to zoom with my feet. It is easy to change my settings, and easy to walk around without being too conspicuous. I wouldn’t say this replaces all of my camera equipment, but I have been using it exclusively this past month. I carry this camera everywhere. That’s the way to get to know your gear.
I have already posted some images in a previous blog I took during the March for our Lives event.
Looks like they came to stay!
I have less to worry about when I take my Fuji out for the day. Do I bring other lenses? Should I change lenses now? Which bag do I take? Should I bring my tripod? And then to use or not use that tripod.
With my Fuji camera all I may need is my sunglasses. Usually for a day’s outing I won’t even need an extra battery or memory card. I need to consider the weather though since this camera is not weather sealed. But I am more of a fair weather photo friend anyway.
This past month I took it with me for a family outing to San Francisco. When I am with family I don’t want to make it all about photography. But I do want to capture memories. Kids grow up so fast.
My husband, and two of my grandchildren headed to Richmond making our first stop at the Hunter Hill Safety Rest Area. Over the years I have taken many photographs here on our way to the Bay Area.
My 16 year old granddaughter always makes a great model.
Picking up my son in Richmond we headed to the Oakland Ferry Building to take a ride to Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.
Import/Export – See tankers being loaded and unloaded with cargo.Oakland Bay Bridge in the distanceWhat a view going under the Bay BridgeNo crowds this morning. Selfie time.Oakland Bay Bridge goes through Treasure IslandFirst stop Golden Gate Ferry Building
Heading to Fisherman’s WharfRide is over and tickets are collected.
With the pleasant, quiet ferry ride over we headed to Fisherman’s Wharf in search of food.
This street musician captured my eye. I should have gotten a bit closer, but the group was leaving me behind.Faced with many choices. Warned to watch out for Sea Gulls. This guy had no problem finding food!Now the Sea Gull travels in style!
A Photo's Worth 