Friday, September 01, 2006

SF stories...

Jeff and I rarely get out to the busy (aka, touristy) parts of San Francisco unless we have visitors. But it is certainly refreshing to take in Fisherman's Wharf and Haight Street a couple of times a year just to see a different cross section of people. So thank you to Cheryl for her recent visit and for giving us a reason to mingle with our wacky summer invaders.

For example, this clown was one of those "scary" clowns around the Wharf...the ones whose costume and makeup are well worn. I particularly like his zany clown comb.

Then you have the myriad of street performers. These guys are MOST interesting on their way to and from "work".

Our tourists themselves put on quite a display, like this guy who got fooled by our morning fog and left the hotel without a hat.

But my favorite shot of this day was of this guy singing his heart out on Haight Street. He was singing a capella with hands firmly in his overcoat pockets. He reminds me of Jay from Jay and Silent Bob fame.

29 Comments:

Blogger BionicBuddha said...

A picture is worth a thousand words...each image tells a story. Thanks for sharing!



www.bionicbuddha.com

Friday, September 01, 2006 7:19:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't like clowns either. They freak me out. My fears were tipified the day I saw "It" one Sunday evening on ABC. Since then, I care not for the clowns that try to make me laugh and become amused.

- Hamilton

Friday, September 01, 2006 7:59:00 PM  
Blogger chumly said...

Your photo's just keep getting better and better. I like the silent Bob one!

Friday, September 01, 2006 10:33:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

A number of visitors to this site have commented that you may be infringing on the privacy rights of individuals whose photographs you take. They may have a point. MySpace advises users not to post photos of people without their permission. I had one picture on my MySpace site with some friends in it, but deleted it.

A Google search for the terms "+photography +public +law" yields links to many sites that address this issue. The first one, Photosecrets.com, says each state has its own standards regarding the right to privacy.

This is analogous to the laws regarding recording phone conversations, which also differ from state to state. As a journalist, it was very important for me to be familiar with the law recording whether I had to inform interview subjects that I was taping our conversations.

Friday, September 01, 2006 11:16:00 PM  
Blogger Princess Brochy said...

I really like your pictures showing people of San Francisco. It's really interesting and well written too.

~ Princess Brochy http://princessbrochy.blogspot.com/

Friday, September 01, 2006 11:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice pictures, nice blog.


Clint
Clint's Blog

Saturday, September 02, 2006 1:13:00 AM  
Blogger ancient clown said...

BEFORE I say anything...GREAT SHOTS. It's kinda funny,(sorry Anonymous) passing by like this, a stranger among you, especially considering my name is Ancient Clown, people are always taking my picture without asking permission or against my wishes,(strange, I don't even wear makeup), and now I've just finished editing a documentary where a number of officials are probably none too happy about being exposed and having THEIR faces on film either.
I've been on both sides of the camera and have the view of few...
that of the bigger picture.
It's pretty much impossible to capture a spontainious moment(which always make the best pics) while you're trying to get release forms signed...but does that give us the the right to remove the rights of others....there's no question mark at the end of that sentence because there really is no question about it.
Yet, we continually REMOVE the rights of others everyday in far more harmful ways than that.
Yes, bionicbuddha a picture is worth a thousand words, but the question is; "What does it really say about us?"
Please keep in mind though, I don't think I know...I just know I'm thinking. Just offering my two cents worth, when you'd have only offered me a penny for my thoughts anyway.
I invite you ALL to visit and explore "Ancient's History". I just put up my first documentary, there's lots of pictures as well, some mine, some not. ALL to be shared.
your humble servant,
Ancient Clown

Saturday, September 02, 2006 1:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

About the infringement thing: newspaper photographers do it all the time without permission. I am interested in taking candid shots of kids playing but can you imagine the trouble I could invite from a parent. I haven't done it yet but maybe if I figured out who the parent is first (say at the beach or playground) and gave them my business card it would be okay. I'll have to check that too. I don't want to get sued or arrested. Your photos and the captions are great. I'll be checking in now and then.

Saturday, September 02, 2006 1:54:00 AM  
Blogger sarego said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

Saturday, September 02, 2006 2:57:00 AM  
Blogger sarego said...

SanFransisco really sounds odd maybe b'cos i am from India...
Here someone singing in the street will either be a beggar or a crack. ...
Nyways...Nice photos....

Saturday, September 02, 2006 2:59:00 AM  
Blogger Anonymous said...

The first picture has nice coloring, the last b/w has great contrast/shadows. I like pictures of clowns, it's actually always an intersting motive.

Saturday, September 02, 2006 4:32:00 AM  
Blogger mrsnesbitt said...

Hi, just came to your blog by clicking on "next blog" and hey, here I am in America!

Love your pics, I too love taking pics and as hubby and I get out when we can on our motorbike we do get to some great places here in North Yorkshire, UK.

We live on the moors so are fortunate in having some pretty wonderful surroundings which I love to capture in camera.

Cheers.
Dx

Saturday, September 02, 2006 4:40:00 AM  
Blogger Teri said...

The pictures are so good. What kind of camera did you use? Great blog!

Saturday, September 02, 2006 4:49:00 AM  
Blogger Meras said...

Hi,

i just found your blog from bloggers.com home page. I have to say, that these fotos are quite nice.:)

Merija blog

Saturday, September 02, 2006 4:54:00 AM  
Blogger Holden said...

Great pictures! Love them!

Saturday, September 02, 2006 5:53:00 AM  
Blogger Gab Ferneiné said...

hehehe ur humour is very fin keep on the good work dude

Saturday, September 02, 2006 7:45:00 AM  
Blogger a spoonful weighs a ton said...

I enjoy reading your weblog

Saturday, September 02, 2006 8:57:00 AM  
Blogger Me said...

I totally thought it was Jay from the Kevin Smith films in that last photograph.

Saturday, September 02, 2006 9:08:00 AM  
Blogger Nicole said...

Those pics are hilarious!



Wahahooiee

Linkbox 24

Saturday, September 02, 2006 11:11:00 AM  
Blogger Shelina said...

Congratulations on being a blog of note. This is a great concept and I enjoyed the show. Thanks for sharing.

Saturday, September 02, 2006 11:42:00 AM  
Blogger kcrunner said...

Lighten up, John, with your legal talk. As long as he isn't making money on the pics he's cool. Now, if he sells the pics, or publishes them in a magazine that he sells, then they might have a leg to stand on. And if you do think you may sell them, just give the guy a $1 and take down his name.

It's called free freaking speech.

It may considered rude, but it's not illegal!! Do you really think that a guy dressed up like that minds? As a general rule, though, I try to get person's permision. 9 times out of 10 they don't mind.

And if they do, I post it anyway.

Excellent photo journalism. Checkout some of my pics on my blog at loveandrunning.blogspot.com

Saturday, September 02, 2006 12:32:00 PM  
Blogger M. Shahin said...

I like the last picture best of the guy singing the capella. Each of us makes our own unique way through the world, and I would guess singing is his.

By the way, nice blog!!

Saturday, September 02, 2006 12:36:00 PM  
Blogger Robocoastie said...

omgosh he does look like Jay. And yea clowns freak me out too ever since "It". Funny thing is the book didn't scare me against them but when the tv version was made it did.

Saturday, September 02, 2006 1:18:00 PM  
Blogger ancient clown said...

bcfrombc & kcrunner:
Be careful, you are falling into the "class trap". The thoughts I shared about RIGHTS didn't have a price tag attached. I was commenting on the comment itself rather than these guys or any individual. I recognize we live in a world that PRETENDS we have rights 'equally', while they REALLY only exist for those that can afford them, however my thoughts were not dependent upon "profiting" or not.
Within the BIGGER picture, I mentioned, is the issue of 'RIGHTS'. Just because the MEDIA does it, doesn't make it RIGHT. Just cause GEORGE BUSH calls the women and children he's murdered 'terrorists', doesn't make it right, EVEN IF it were true.
It's not my intention to dump this whole morality card on everyone, just trying to make us think.
R E S P E C T...what does it spell?
RESPECT...we get it by giving it. Please understand I'm not trying to LORD myself over anyone as I'm just as guilty of this by video-taping two VICTORIA cops assaulting a native gentleman, without just cause.
I didn't say; "Excuse me Mr.RACIST PIG & Mr.CORRUPT ASS, would you mind if I please video tape you attempting to finish the genocide you began when you got here. I'm documenting the LIARS, MURDERERS & THIEVES I SEE(oh my), on my travels.
So WHY did I do it...'Just CAUSE'.
Come check out my documentary
"Heaven's Heroes", and have a GREAT day. Remember..I like the photos as well.
your humble servant,
Ancient Clown

Saturday, September 02, 2006 1:35:00 PM  
Blogger ancient clown said...

p.s.
I know a photographer that snuck a camera into a tibetin temple(camera's forbidden) so he could get the shots no one else has.
DOES it MATTER if he sells them or not?

Saturday, September 02, 2006 1:39:00 PM  
Blogger Manimala said...

What an interesting collection of pictures. I never really took the time to photograph the stuff around me; maybe I'm not very observant. Or maybe I'm just taking this too seriously.

Maybe you've got some questions that you need answers for. Visit me my advice column

Saturday, September 02, 2006 5:32:00 PM  
Blogger Lola2020 said...

Re: Publishing pictures. If someone is in a public place then it's not illegal to photograph them or publish the pics (Well..in the UK anyway...probably the last 'free' country in the world.) It's only a problem if you take pics on private property without someones consent.
Great pics by the way...keep it up.

Saturday, September 02, 2006 6:21:00 PM  
Blogger ancient clown said...

lola2020: You mention legality's regarding man's rules but those are not LAWS, dismissed as such factually, by their definitions.
"LAWS" apply equally..."RULES" do not.
What are the spiritual legality's of taking the picture of a native who's belief system sees that as stealing a part of his soul? How shall we be tried at the Spiritual Trial? For crimes of uncaring, of disrespect? For times of not sharing, but instead reject?
"I don't think I know...I just know I'm thinking."
your humble servant,
Ancient Clown

Sunday, September 03, 2006 4:37:00 AM  
Blogger Steve Foss said...

It reminds me of a really bad joke:

Q: Why don't cannibals eat clowns?

A: They taste funny!

See, I told you it was bad.

Steve
wherearethewarriors.blogspot.com

Monday, September 04, 2006 1:19:00 PM  

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