L U M E N   N E W S

 
I N S P I R A T I O N  *  I N F O R M A T I O N  *  I N V I T A T I O N S

J U L Y   2 0 1 2
 

FIREWORKS SHOW, SF WATERFRONT

Warm greetings.

Early this week my holiday commitments shifted.  I embraced a colorful idea, a decision to spend Fourth of July wandering without a plan or clear expectation through diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco. 

If you are laughing with a bit of anticipation, I understand.  To wander alone in a large congested city without direction and clarity of purpose can be frightening, unpredictable, humorous, dramatic, and exciting all at the same time. 

As I contemplated this notion, I wondered what might evolve if I jotted notes and captured memories with a camera to produce a visual sketch or journal. 

Could I see familiar places in both cherished and new ways, move beyond normal routines, let go of comfortable connections and stretch a few well-worn internal boundaries?  A challenge. 

Could I capture a slice of my experience and express a bit of soul of the City? 

I wasn't sure.  Yet, I valued the chance to reach as a storyteller and photographer.

On Wednesday, I went ahead with my little dream and, for a day, ventured out as a bold, wobbling explorer. 

My experience unfolded in memorable ways. 

The early morning was dark, still and cold.  The sun rose slowly to greet a foggy, blue sky.  A stunning, warm day emerged.  The City came alive.  Music, flags, and motion were everywhere.  Afternoon stretched and lingered.  Sunset and dusk offered a silky transition with long shadows and saturated color.  As night arrived, a vibrant energy exploded in pockets throughout the City.  Families and friends connected.  Fireworks on the waterfront punched red, orange, blue, yellow, purple, white, and green light and giant pops of sound into the night sky.  Celebration was a universal theme. 

I spent seventeen hours in motion and reflection meeting people, watching the day's scenes evolve, walking and walking and walking, pushing to look and see with new eyes and connect. 

Photography helped focus my awareness and attention.    As anticipated, there was much to savor.  My Fourth of July was full of wonder, discovery, and newness. 

In the last few days, I looked back through documentary images from my footsteps and produced a slide show with music that presents a spattering of roughly a hundred images from this journey.   If you wish to sit back and enjoy some highlights from the day, a link to a visual diary (twelve minutes) is here:


Note: there is a full screen button on the bottom right of the menu for the video player.  You just need to place your cursor in the video frame to get the menu to appear.

As a complement or alternative to the slide show, a few notes and images from my day of wandering are shared below. 

If you wish for a quick overview, simply scroll down and catch a glimpse of a few sites and characters in San Francisco on this Holiday.  These images are a subset of the images in the slideshow.


GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE TOLL PLAZA

4:45 AM.  The adventure began. 

The streets were quiet and still.  I felt excitement, uncertainty, a bit of fear, and hope. 

I wandered in the cold early morning near the glow and captivating beauty of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Pale blue light swirled and surrounded Alcatraz. 


ALCATRAZ JUST BEFORE SUNRISE

Seagulls greeted me on an old pier as the orange sun rose through a blanket of fog. 


MORNING GREETING, PRESIDIO NATIONAL PARK

A crab fisherman shared thoughts about a day of bliss, solitude on a pier without distractions, and the joy of catching dinner from the sea to celebrate with his friends.


DAYBREAK WITH A CRAB FISHERMAN

The side gates to the national military cemetery were open.  I reflected on the price so many American soldiers paid for my freedom and way of life as I sat on a massive blanket of grass and watched the shadows stretch over the tombstones. 


NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERY, PRESIDIO

Laughter arose as I watched a large group of Asian tourists celebrate their travels in The Palace Of Fine Arts.


A TOURIST'S JOY

The Marina, Cow Hollow, and Pacific Heights were alive with families and friends connecting and preparing for holiday celebration. 


STARS AND STRIPES, UNION STREET

The stores, delicatessens, and coffee shops were hopping. 

I met a gracious family with two expressive, playful boys.  Excitement.  Curiosity.  Openness.  Great fun.


AT PLAY, CHESTNUT STREET

Restaurants and cafes throughout the City were in the groove.  The staff at Mel's expressed their own special Holiday spirit.


MEL'S DINER, LOMBARD STREET

Aquatic park offered a hub for visitors.  Families, friends, and tourists gathered and mingled. 

A father and son from San Jose set up a tent and waited for the night's acclaimed fireworks.  A young boy flew a kite for hours in the gentle wind. 


KITES AND CONNECTIONS, PARK NEAR GHIRADELLI PARK

Near the beach, Jinwah dried off her wetsuit and hair from a cold swim in the Bay.  She shared her story - a dream to complete a swim from Alcatraz.


JINWAH

Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square rocked. 

I flowed with the wave of visitors and tourists.  In the midst of this experience, I met "Rainbow Man," "Superman on Pogo Sticks," and "Balloon Man" - all captivating street performer who earn their living helping people laugh and share.


RAINBOW MAN, FISHERMAN'S WHARF


SUPERMAN ON POGO STICKS, FISHERMAN'S WHARF

BALLOON MAN, GHIRADELLI SQUARE

The congestion was thick at the top of Lombard Street, the  "crooked street in the world."  A grumpy police man managed the flow of vehicles.  Hundreds of visitors reached to touch the crazy curves and descents, a unique San Francisco experience. 


MANAGING CHAOS, LOMBARD STREET

Coit Tower. North Beach, and the Embarcadero were filled with bright light, parades of people, and festivity.


AFTERNOON LIGHT, COIT TOWER


AMERICAN CELEBRATION, EMBARCADERO

I chuckled as a group of African American teenagers allowed me to join their tight pod.  They spoke about their excitement toward the day ahead, smoked some weed, pondered life's challenges, and peppered me with questions about the flexibility of San Francisco's police. 

My wisdom and capacity to inform was paltry. 


ROCKING THE DAY, EMBARCADERO

A homeless man shared his views on the gorgeous day.  He spoke with pride about his current life and shared a few of his prized possessions - a shopping cart, a music box, and a mop.  His joy brought a positive pause to my spirit.  Wealth is truly in the eye of the beholder.


CELEBRATING LIFE, EMBARCADERO

Downtown buildings quietly marked the heart of the commercial district.  In special light, the skyline can, as many of you know, take one's breath away.  The iconic lines and flow of these structures captivated my attention. 

Looking up and sideways in new directions brought new shapes and viewpoints ... and dizziness.


EMBARCADERO

 


COLUMBUS AND BROADWAY 

As I entered Union Square, I heard music and the warm voice of a female teacher encouraging couples to step into a new motion.  A public dance class was in progress.  Men and women of all ages and backgrounds were learning to perform the tango together.  Crazy wonderful. 


DANCE LESSONS, UNION SQUARE

On one of my trips into North Beach, I wandered into an old bar.  I marveled at the richness of history and short stories expressed on the walls and the qualities held by the characters within this establishment.


SALOON, NORTH BEACH

In the bar, I met a Saudi Arabian filmmaker named "Tur-key" who just returned from producing documentary material in Egypt. 

He reflected on our culture and politics and the powerful freedom of expression we know in this country.


"TUR-KAY" THE FILMMAKER

Back in Union Square, Christien, a Latino boy, smiled as I introduced myself.  He was delighted to let me document his fine work as a portrait photographer for his parents.  Got to love that hair style.


HOLIDAY PORTRAIT, UNION SQUARE

A soft mannered Asian man collected boxes in an old beat up truck in the heart of Chinatown - a reminder of the challenge many people face to survive and live with poverty and mild economic resources.  Yet, this man held a sense of joy and calm contentment.  I wondered how my life and spirit would shift if I worked through the day and night to earn a living in this way.  Could I hold a sense of gratitude and hope? 


BOXES SUSTAINING LIFE, CHINATOWN

An African refugee sang with a depth of soul and a crazy, captivating beat on a large white plastic bucket.  He had boundless energy and charisma.   Loved it.  He simply wished to delight and connect.  A few bucks wouldn't hurt as well.  Laughter.


ROCK FOR THE AGES, NORTH BEACH

I visited the "Painted Ladies," a colorful row of Victorian homes near Alamo Square, for the first time.  I had never made this trip.  The light over the City was magic.


PAINTED LADIES AT SUNSET

I dashed back to Fort Mason Hill to watch the fireworks.  Tens of thousands of people shared this dramatic experience. 


FIRELIGHT ON THE BAY

The excitement of the crowd, music, flow of light, and glow of fireworks on the Bay linger.

A late night roll through the Mission, Castro, and Haight Asbury districts finished my journey. 

The crowds on the streets, bars, and restaurants remain in my memory.  Characters everywhere.  Each with a unique life story.  Each with different dreams and hopes.  Bumps and bruises.  Connections.


TATOOS AND PIERCINGS, HAIGHT ASBURY


MISSION BAR

As midnight arrived and my day's adventure came to a close, I paused and reflected on the tapestry of my experience. 

I felt grateful, exhausted, and encouraged. 

Many moments surprised and delighted.  I touched a bit of the diversity, richness, and history of the City, found unexplored destinations, connected with people from all walks of life, made a few new friends, laughed and smiled often, worked my way out of a few awkward, frightening moments, and challenged myself both emotionally and artistically. 

In the end, the wandering produced much learning and fun.

It's fascinating how much life and energy flows through neighborhoods all around my home, how much magic and connection I can miss and pass over when I stay in my comfort zone.  This was a mixture of push and pull, easy flow and new experience.  Worth a try.  Often. 

Best wishes to you,

Jeff

Thanks for working through these notes and sharing a bit of the experience together. 
  
About Jeffrey Davis

Jeff is an award winning Public Television Producer, early-stage Documentary Film Director, General Manager, and passionate Photographer, Advocate, Non Profit Fund Raiser, Wilderness Fan, Athlete, Lifelong Student, and Teacher.  When he gets older, he plans to focus his work, creative endeavors, and play more tightly.  Laughter. 

His photography website is at: www.jeffreydavisphotography.com