A Perfect Midsummer Day In San Francisco

"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."

~Mark Twain

Depending on who you ask, Mark Twain may, or may not, have said that. Personally, I believe he probably did, because even in the middle of the summer, I still need a heavy sweater when I cross the bay into San Francisco! See that marine layer in the top photo, that's what keeps us cool, even on a bright midsummer day! Oh, it's not like it's always cold in the summertime, in fact I can remember some absolutely sweltering days, but for the most part it's usually quite mild there. And I love it!

Can you tell?











I did a lot of photography yesterday, but it wasn't all photos of San Francisco, I also photographed some public art and a lot of new butterflies at the exhibit at the Conservatory Of Flowers! You'll see! I will be posting what I saw in San Francisco, over the next several days!

Stay Tuned!

But That Was Yesterday...

"The timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness. And knows that yesterday is but today's memory and tomorrow is today's dream."

~Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

Here are the best of my photos from last night's fireworks show in San Francisco. The fireworks were launched from just off Pier 39, so anywhere along the Embarcadero made for terrific viewing! And surprisingly, the traffic was light. With the BART strike in day 4, most folks from the East Bay either stayed local, opting for the fireworks shows in Berkeley or Oakland, or they only traveled as far as Yerba Buena Island, but not into the city. Alan and I braved the city! It's a tradition... traffic or no traffic... we have been Embarcadero spectators for years! Why break with tradition?

:)

 

 

I've done better photography in July 4th, but we had fun! And besides, for me, fireworks photography is a safari, if it was super easy it wouldn't be as much fun! I like having to really work for the shots I get! :)


Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Pier 14

"Above all, life for a photographer cannot be a matter of indifference."

~Robert Frank

I took this photo while I was waiting in traffic on the Embarcadero in the city. It's another one of those photos that I ended up snapping in the last second as the scene, and my position, were about to chance. I am not really sure what it was that scene that made me, on instinct, pick up the camera and take the picture, and even now looking at it and not really sure what I like about it... I just do! If pressed, I suppose it's best feature might be the way things lined up. I am happy enough with that, but the blue cast is a bit off to me.

Shrug.


~Me

Moments From Last Night

"Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment... this very moment... to stay."

-Sam Abell

I needed a break this year from my usual holiday routine of finding the perfect vantage point along the bay, setting up the tripod, and working toward the perfect shot of the 4th of July fireworks that San Francisco displays each year. One downside to photography, is that I usually miss the show, while focusing and working hard to achieve something special with the camera. My shoulder is still giving me a great deal of trouble, so I decided this year to be a spectator, instead of photographer. :) When I set out to get that "perfect shot" I take things very seriously, which means it doesn't leave a lot of time to "oooh" and "Ahhh" at the wonderful shapes and colors of the fireworks.



When I am being serious with the camera, I work really hard. I set things up, and I use what I have learned in meditation to completely drown out all distractions. I can get a little too serious at times. With my shoulder in pain, it was time for a break. So this year, while I was not in photographer mode, I still had the urge to try my best at finding that one special moment, so I would be able to keep it forever. I guess photography is in my soul at this point, pain or no pain :) Anyway, here are a couple moments from last evening, as we drove along the Embarcadero, listening to Norah Jones on the car stereo, watching the fireworks as they rose above the city lights. Oooh, Ahhhh! :)

-OndineMonet
Fireworks
Embarcadero
San Francisco, California
July 4th, 2007
9:30 PM