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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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Ice Cream Bar, Cole Valley, San Francisco, 8:39 am. September 9, 2020. 25mm. WB Auto Preset.
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Finnigan's Wake In Cole Valley, San Francisco, 8:44 am. September 9, 2020. Overcast WB Preset.
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| Red Sunrise. September 8, 2020. Tamron 18-50mm 2.8 lens @ 50mm. |
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Shadows And Reflections
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| Convex Traffic Mirror, Romain Street San Francisco. April 7, 2020. |
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| Traffic Mirror, Carl Street In San Francisco. July 10, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens. |
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| Reflections Across The Street, Corbett Street San Francisco.. March 27, 2020 |
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Reflection In A Garage Door on Clayton Street. July 11, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens
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| Two Stop Signs. April 27, 2020 |
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| Morning Shadows, Market Street. March 27, 2020 |
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| Speed Reminder, Market Street. March 27, 2020 |
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Walking To Darkness, Market Street In San Francisco. May 18, 2020
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| Ivy Vines On A Wire Fence, Romaine Street San Francisco. April 20, 2020. |
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Flora
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| Red Flowers, Near Cole Valley. March 26, 2020 |
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Flower Bed on Corbett Avenue, San Francisco. April 12, 2020
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Succulent And Offspring, Market Street in San Francisco. April 18, 2020.
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Leaves, Loma Vista Terrace In San Francisco. April 22, 2020
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Fried Egg Poppy, Irving Street In San Francisco. May 27, 2020
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The Watcher, Twin Peaks Boulevard. July 25, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens
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Orange Flower, 17th Street In San Francisco. August 10, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens.
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| Planter Box On Roosevelt Way. July 28, 2020. 12mm F 2.8 lens. |
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Red
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| Motor Scooter on Alpine Street, San Francisco. April 6, 2020 |
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Stadium Steps, Kezar Stadium In San Francisco. May 8, 2020
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Bleachers, Kezar Stadium In San Francisco. May 8, 2020
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Jump Bike, 17th Street In San Francisco. May 15, 2020
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| Afternoon Colors, San Francisco. July 10, 2020. 12mm F 2.8 lens. |
Juxtapositions
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McKinley School Street Lamp, Roosevelt Way in San Francisco. March 30, 2020.
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| Mural at the corner of Oak and Divisidero Streets in San Francisco. April 6, 2020.. |
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Looking For Light, Presidio of San Francisco. April 10, 2020
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| Free Lending Library, Mars Street San Francisco. April 12, 2020 |
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Graffiti Gallery, Clipper Terrace and High Street In San Francisco. May 10, 2020
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Coin Operated Laundromat On Irving Street In San Francisco. May 27, 2020
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Just Because
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Corbin Steps Fantasy Garden. April 18, 2020.
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| Eye Bolt On Roosevelt Way, San Francisco. July 10, 2020. 25mm F 1,8 lens |
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Rust Beneath The Paint, Corbett Avenue In San Francisco. August 10, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens.
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| Bicyclist, Twin Peaks In San Francisco. May 21, 2020 |
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Social Distancing, Loma Vista Terrace In San Francisco. June 12, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 Lens.
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Color Samples, San Francisco. July 2, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens.
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Public Bench Art, 10th Avenue At Judah In San Francisco. July 20, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens
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Flamingo On My Mind, San Francisco. August 12, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens.
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| Vacancies, Ashbury Terrace In San Francisco. June 6, 2020. 35mm 1.2 lens used. |
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| Crosswalk, Portola Street San Francisco. April 22, 2020 |
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Fan Club, Castro Street In San Francisco. June 17, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 Lens.
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Early Morning, Lower Terrace in San Francisco. April 25, 2020
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| Potted Plant, Roosevelt Way In San Francisco. July 28, 2020. 12mm F 2.8 lens. |
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| Mosaic, Rooftop School in San Francisco. April 27, 2020 |
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| Bar Patron, Cole Street In San Francisco. July 31, 2020. 12mm F 2.0 Samyang lens. |
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| Cult Of The Honey Bear, San Francisco; July 10, 2020. 25mm F 1.8 lens |
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