Friday on Film

When I shoot film I always feel like the end result has warped me back in time.These two shots from the parking garage near Chinatown in San Francisco are no exception, they feel really nostalgic to me. Perhaps it's because of the black and white film, or the point of view that I was shooting from.Whatever it is, I like it.

walking

Join me over on the Mortal Muse blog where I am talking about getting over my fear of street photography.

Flowers on Film

Poppies are such a perfect subject for film. I usually shy away from photographing flowers, but these were just asking, dancing and swaying their sexy hips to be photographed.

Dressed in their delicate oranges and reds, I couldn't say no. I had to get down on my knees, lean in and practically kiss their sweet petals.

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye is always hard, but it was Easter Sunday and I needed to get home to my little chicks.

I really do love going to the "City". I am not sure if I am really a city girl, (hello, I grew up in a town of 600 people, so the answer is probably, "no"). But a visit always does me good.

It was a wet ride home on Sunday morning. So glad for only rain and not snow. All those drops sure did make for some pretty light and amazing green.

Thanks San Fran. Let's do it again soon.

Getting Shot

Thinking about it, this should have been my first post in this series. This is the post where I finally share some of the crazy-fun women I met while while in San Francisco....

After hugs were given and real names were replaced by our online handles, we got straight to doing what we all do best pushing that shutter button. I was shooting and getting shot from the left and from the right. The click-itty-click of the Bay Area Shutter Sisters in action was like music to my ears. Do you see all those smiles? Smiles big enough to spot even behind the body of a big old camera!

1-2-3

SHOOT

We shoot looking down and we shoot looking up...

 We shoot through car windows and across streets.

We shoot each other, shooting each other and we shoot ourselves.

We shoot our feet when they are on the ground.

 We shoot while trying to stay serious, then we throw caution to the wind and shoot as we laugh and allow our feet the leave the ground.

weeeeee!

Colorful Chinatown

Scarves

T-shirts

Murals and people

Beads and charms

Laundry drying

Graffiti and stickers

Window scenes

Saturday Market

Today, I will share a few of my favorite street shots from last weekend. We left Ross Alley and headed off to lunch. On the way, weaved in and out of the crowded sidewalks of a market area.

The produce and boxed goods provided great colors and some fantastic repetition. There were all ages of people going about their every day activities- shopping, selling, checking for winning lottery numbers...

I was hoping to not be too invasive with my camera as the locals went about their Saturday shopping, so most of these shots were taken blindly. I honestly wasn't sure what I would get as I clicked off frame after frame.

Street photography like this is addictive. I can't wait to get out and shoot like this again.

Film Friday- The San Fransico Edition

All shots taken with my Polaroid 103 using Fuji FP-100c film

Holly and the bridge.

Green is good

Incense

Slippers

Seeing my Sisters

I don't even know where to begin for this post, but I need to get things down before they totally slip from my memory. I started to write this and realized I have too many images to just toss up here all at once.I am going to try to break things down into visual bites.
I think the best and most appropriate place to start is by saying, a huge thank you to Holly for coming out west from Philly and giving an excuse for a gathering, to Kim for allowing me to crash at her lovely and cozy home, and to Hillary for her hospitality on Friday evening. I also want to give a shout out a certain girl who goes by the name of Smallroots. We shared some good ass margaritas and conversation, thanks girl, that meeting in real time was a long time coming!

I also need to say thank you to all of the amazing women who came out on Saturday. You all have no idea how full I am because of each of you. Your creativity online fuels me on a regular basis, meeting you in person was like rocket fuel for the soul.

I heard one thing being said over and over again as we walked along on Saturday, "I am with my people."
It's true, I felt so at home with all of you. When you hanging with other photographers there is no reason to explain yourself or your art. They understand when you have to lug around 5 (ahem, yes 5) different cameras, they get having to be down low or up high for 'the shot', or stopping randomly (usually mid sentence) when something catches your eye and you wander off. The "know", there is a look that happens and everyone see it and understands. I was truly with "my people", 'my shutter sisters" on Friday and Saturday.

Friday evening was spent at Hillary's beautiful home. We sipped wine, ate yummy cheese had a fantastic dinner and shared decadent desserts. We kept warm with the conversation and outdoor fire place. Chit-chatt went on seamlessly for several hours ranging from everything photography, life, and adventures of traveling... when you are around Holly and Jenny, you are bound to discuss world travel.

Saturday, the true adventured began as we crossed the iconic Golden Gate Bridge and found our way to Chinatown. I have so much more to share from the day. I will have a post a day for the next 4 or 5 days all about this amazing trip. It's hard to believe I was only in Bay Area for just over 48 hours! Stay tuned.

San to the Fran

It was my last weekend of being 34, so we packed our bags and headed west...
No dog, no kids, very loose plans for what we wanted to do, and reservations for a bed and breakfast.

Auburn Alehouse is a favorite stop along the way to or from the "City".
I miss all the green and old buildings in Auburn.
It smelled so good in town, just like I remembered it from when I lived there.

 

Westbound, the sun set was killer near the Yolo Wildlife area.

The Monte Cristo is a fantastic mix of Victorian and uber modern...

 

 I would go back in a heart beat.
The wall paper, the jazz in the hall way speakers and the creaking old wood floors.




The fancy potty had more controls than the TV remote.

 

awesome.

We checked in and then decided to wander around the neighborhood a bit.
I think we were both pretty tired from a busy week, so we turned in early.
I was out like a light practically before my head hit the pillow.

We got up bright and early on Saturday.



We checked the maps, pulled on our running shoes and headed out the door.
(I figured out how to do the panorama option on my iphone, YES!)

Running in the Presidio and in Crissie Field is a treat.

These stairs, however..... there were a lot of them and near the end of the 5.5miole run.

 

Showers, coffee,

 

breakfast, more coffee and out the door for adventuring.








SF MOMA


China Town
(where I got a new hat..)





I was hell bent on going to Harry's for a mojitto and Pizzeria Delfina for dinner.
The broccoli raab did not disappoint.

I shot film almost all weekend with the 'new' camera.
 Minni is a ton of fun.

Sunday, we drove through Golden Gate Park and watched surfers play in the ocean, it wasn't like December at all.



We reluctantly checked out of the B&B and then took a walked along the wharf.
Oysters and beer for lunch.
 


It was a pretty awesome weekend.
 Thank you to family for taking the kids and to my husband for making me feel very special.