San Francisco – A Photo's Worth

Lens-Artists Challenge #277 Empty Spaces

Patti from P.A. Moed Creative Exploration in Words and Pictures challenges me to look through my library of images and discover how empty spaces contributes to my total image.

To define empty spaces Patti turned to the experts at Adobe. “Emptiness in an image can help isolate the subject and also highlight it by drawing the viewer’s attention to it. What else? It can convey a mood–like loneliness, solitude, fear, or sadness. By isolating the subject and surrounding it with empty space, you also create drama, which gives your images a powerful, visual appeal.”

Another leaf alone catches a bit of sunshine

On the sidewalk in San Francisco. Sea Gull enjoys found sour dough bread!

Sea Gull watching family at the beach in Lover’s Point in Pacific Grove

Do you think that my empty space (negative space) adds to the subject matter? When I look at these images I categorize them as minimalism. So whatever the acknowledged term is I do use this point of view when I am out taking photos.

It is December 2nd. I was reminded that today is my “Half Birthday” by Baskin Robbins. I think they want me to celebrate with an ice cream cake. Well, it is raining, and I am not sure that I want to rush this next birthday. My high school class is thinking about having a group celebration for the Big 75. Three quarters of a century. I do think that I am due a BIG memorable celebration of some sort. Not sure how, where or when. I do have a half year to come up with something.

First things first. Moxie has been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy. So far, she has had 3 seizures in the span of 4 months. So far she has no side affect, but the dosage has been increased. She will be on medication for the rest of her life. This means that I need to figure out who will take care of her if I was to plan a trip. At this time no trips are planned.

Being kind of a home body lately for a number of reasons.

There is an unknown canine illness that prevents me from taking Moxie to the dog park. So we retrieve at home. Moxie is reluctant to walk around my neighborhood. I guess she is happy to have me around. In the summer she didn’t want to sit on my lap much, but now she can be demanding of some sitting time. I don’t mind.
The stores are crowded, and parking lots are no fun.
I have so much to do at home. My blog and photography, my genealogy, and knitting.
My newest hobby is quilting. I went to my first guild meeting and I will join in the 2024. I am finishing up a project: a sampler hanging that I started before CoVid. Getting in my last 3 lessons when I put it all together. Pics to follow.

This month I am on Baby Watch for my great grandson Kingston to be born to my granddaughter Alyssa. Due date January 6. Again, more to come!

More People Watching on Pier 39

Embarcadero means a “place to embark”. Looking up this information led me to this 1906 documentary, A Trip Down Market Street. Click on the link and travel down the road. Taken from a cable car weeks before the 1906 earthquake. It is amazing to see what traffic was like then.

My friend and I walked down the Embarcadero to Pier 39. Stop for lunch and do more people watching.

_DSF1225 — So many food choices. Go healthy or not?

_DSF1228 — Careful those knives are sharp!

_DSF1290 — Throwing a kiss. Spray paint sidewalk artist has music, movement, and spirit!

_DSF1296 — Balloon artist not happy to have a photo taken. Oh well.

_DSF1284 — So many cell phones. What is so interesting?

_DSF1299 — Explanation of height restrictions on the Segway

_DSF1305 — Serious driving skills being tested

When you grab some fast food you are warned to watch out for birds. They are known for helping themselves to your delicious seafood and sour dough bread.

_DSF1315 — Gulls Rule at the Fishermen’s Grotto

Arriving at Pier 41 to take the ferry back to Vallejo.

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Fun day and lots of fun images to add to my memories.

San Francisco People Watching

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.

_DSF1149 — We pass under the Oakland Bay Bridge

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 Building was getting busy when we arrived just before 10 a.m.

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.

_DSF1175 — He shows me what he was eating. Looks yummy.

Families, tourists, and locals crowd the street.

_DSF1205 — 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.

_DSF1214 — Many tour buses allow for on/off possibilities

_DSF1206 — A modern version of a rickshaw

_DSF1190 — Go-cart tours stopped in traffic

_DSF1189 — Attention Grabbers from Alcatraz

My friend and I click away as we walk down the street.

_DSF1201 — Spotted this lone man waiting to cross the street

_DSF1202 — Having 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?

New Camera, New Perspective

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.

1803_24__MarchLives__DSF0095 — 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.