Favorite Images 2020

Photography and the Pandemic of 2020 made for a strange combination of motivation and escape. The last pre-pandemic photo I made for the Journal was on March 6, a shot made in the crowded preparation area of a San Mateo McDonald's. The quarantine began the following week, so all of the events I had hoped to document evaporated overnight.

Coincidentally, I took an interest in using the inexpensive, manual focus lenses that were shipping from China. Like a lot of fellow Boomers, I wanted to replicate the excitement I felt when shooting fully manual film camera. I stared taking a digital camera with me on my morning walks to re-create images that filled the numerous photographic magazines we subscribed to.

Here are the four last, and coincidentally the most memorable San Mateo Daily Journal assignments.
Mary Burns, Backyard Birder. December 18, 2020
The challenge was to illustrate Backyard Birding, a Covic-safe activity to watch for birds in one's own back yard, while communicating with others on-line.


John Sutti, Artist. San Mateo Central Park.  December 4, 2020. 
This photo was taken outdoors using a shoot-through umbrella as a diffuser. The umbrella wasn't large enough to include enough background to make a meaningful shot, but was enough for a good head shot.   Without the context, it wasn't suitable for publication, but the shot was a nice reminder that there are other non-flash soft light options.

Holiday Lighting, Filoli Gardens. November 17, 2020
Really, the lighting wasn't that bright. Thanks to a high ISO setting, the dark and rainy path was rendered bright and cheery.

On-Line Costume Sale, San Francisco Opera. October 29, 2020
The costume warehouse of the San Francisco Ballet held hundreds of costumes that were being sold in an on-line auction. Pandemic protocols were in place, so my subject was compelled to wear her mask so she wouldn't be accused of violating said protocols

The following personal photos were made on my morning walks, All were made with a Fuji X-E1 body and  either a 7artisans 25mm F 1.7 or a 35mm F 1.2 manual focus lens. It became a major learning experience for me, since I only had natural light to deal with.

The Conflagration Of 2020
Ice Cream Bar, Cole Valley, San Francisco, 8:39 am. September 9, 2020. 25mm. WB Auto Preset.


Finnigan's Wake In Cole Valley, San Francisco, 8:44 am. September 9, 2020. Overcast WB Preset.


Red Sunrise. September 8, 2020. Tamron 18-50mm 2.8 lens @ 50mm.


Shadows And Reflections
Convex Traffic Mirror, Romain Street  San Francisco. April 7, 2020.


Traffic Mirror, Carl Street In San Francisco. July 10, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens.


Reflections Across The Street, Corbett Street San Francisco.. March 27, 2020


Reflection In A Garage Door on Clayton Street. July 11, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens


Two Stop Signs. April 27, 2020



Morning Shadows, Market Street. March 27, 2020


Speed Reminder, Market Street. March 27, 2020


Walking To Darkness, Market Street In San Francisco. May 18, 2020

Ivy Vines On A Wire Fence, Romaine Street San Francisco. April 20, 2020.





Flora
Red Flowers, Near Cole Valley. March 26, 2020


Flower Bed on Corbett Avenue, San Francisco. April 12, 2020


Succulent And Offspring, Market Street in San Francisco. April 18, 2020.


Leaves, Loma Vista Terrace In San Francisco. April 22, 2020


Fried Egg Poppy, Irving Street In San Francisco. May 27, 2020


The Watcher, Twin Peaks Boulevard. July 25, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens


Orange Flower,  17th Street In San Francisco. August 10, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens.


Planter Box On Roosevelt Way. July 28, 2020. 12mm F 2.8 lens. 



Red
Motor Scooter on Alpine Street, San Francisco. April 6, 2020

Stadium Steps, Kezar Stadium In San Francisco. May 8, 2020



Bleachers, Kezar Stadium In San Francisco. May 8, 2020


Jump Bike, 17th Street In San Francisco. May 15, 2020



Afternoon Colors, San Francisco. July 10, 2020. 12mm F 2.8 lens.


Juxtapositions
McKinley School Street Lamp, Roosevelt Way in San Francisco. March 30, 2020.


Mural at the corner of Oak and Divisidero Streets in San Francisco. April 6, 2020.. 


Looking For Light, Presidio of San Francisco. April 10, 2020


Free Lending Library, Mars Street San Francisco. April 12, 2020

Graffiti Gallery, Clipper Terrace and High Street In San Francisco. May 10, 2020


Coin Operated Laundromat On Irving Street In San Francisco. May 27, 2020





 Just Because
Corbin Steps Fantasy Garden.  April 18, 2020.


Eye Bolt On Roosevelt Way, San Francisco. July 10, 2020. 25mm  F 1,8 lens


Rust Beneath The Paint, Corbett Avenue In San Francisco. August 10, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens.

Bicyclist, Twin Peaks In San Francisco. May 21, 2020



Social Distancing, Loma Vista Terrace In San Francisco. June 12, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 Lens.


Color Samples, San Francisco. July 2, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens.


Public Bench Art, 10th Avenue At Judah In San Francisco. July 20, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens


Flamingo On My Mind, San Francisco. August 12, 2020. 25mm  F 1.8 lens.


Vacancies, Ashbury Terrace In San Francisco. June 6, 2020. 35mm 1.2 lens used.


Crosswalk, Portola Street San Francisco. April 22, 2020


Fan Club, Castro Street In San Francisco. June 17, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 Lens.


Early Morning, Lower Terrace in San Francisco. April 25, 2020


Potted Plant, Roosevelt Way In San Francisco. July 28, 2020. 12mm F 2.8 lens.


Mosaic, Rooftop School in San Francisco. April 27, 2020


Bar Patron, Cole Street In San Francisco. July 31, 2020. 12mm F 2.0 Samyang lens.


Cult Of The Honey Bear, San Francisco; July 10, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens


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