When I go to the office, I go early to avoid the heavy commuter traffic over the Bay Bridge, and to not stress about a full parking garage at work. My normal routine is to use the gym in the office before the work day starts. However, a couple of weeks ago I skipped the gym as I was feeling some lower back pain. So after dropping off my car at the parking garage before 8 AM, instead of toning my muscles, I tuned my eyes. For one hour, I chased the light trying to capture the comings and goings of San Franciscans heading to their jobs, their schools, or walking their dogs.
I have not done a street photography photowalk in a while. It is harder than you’d think. When I transferred the shots from the camera to the computer, there was a lot of bad pictures. It made me think of the post What happens when nothing happens from fellow Substack photographer-writer George Appletree. A photo taken in the streets is by nature street photography. But as George points out, it can be dull. Just because you shot people hanging out or walking on the streets, does not make it an interesting image.
In reality, there is not much happening on the photos below. Just people heading to where they need to get to, early in the morning. Or walking their dogs, and going about their business. But in my opinion, the light and shadows create some interesting shots.
What happens when light happens.
Fan Ho
Fan Ho is known as ‘The Cartier-Bresson of the East’. A Chinese street photographer who documented life in Honk Kong during the 50s and 60s. I was not aware of his masterful work until I shared some of the images above with a group of photo enthusiasts at work. Fan Ho’s photos of the bustling locals of Hong Kong in the early hours of the morning, produced some beautiful images, in similar light conditions of the photos shared here.
I feel humbled when my images make someone draw a parallel with a master like Fan Ho. Do yourself a favor and click on the links below to learn about this master.
Great shots, love the shadows.
Which city is this? Reminds me of Cambridge MA. Also, I was wondering - did you used to post on Google+ back in the day? Something familiar about these shots, but maybe it's just the feeling they inspire! Thanks for sharing with the world.