I have been posting to this blog for over 13 years, each year reporting on accomplishments over the prior year and goals for the new year.

2024 is no different. My main photography goal for the year is listed in the January submission of the 2024 C.London 52 Week Photography Challenge. Content this year will work towards that goal in addition to my general shooting. Check out my website "About" page to learn more. The website is at www.jeffmarcowitz.photography 

All content posted here in the blog will also be on the website, however with a subscription to the blog, you'll continue to receive the email notifications.

Thanks to all of you who have followed this photo blog for many years and welcome to any newcomers. My hope is that the images and stories are interesting and thought-provoking as I continue this creative journey. As always, comments, critiques and suggestions (here and the website) are welcome and appreciated as they often lead to new ideas and inspiration.

Thank You.
Jeff

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Bell Bottoms

Bell Bottoms

Haven't seen a pair like these since the 70's.

Union Square
San Francisco, CA

 Submitted for ClicheStaturday. HCS!

Friday, May 30, 2014

Engrossed - Plate V

Engrossed - Plate V

Near Union Square
San Francisco, CA

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Kenneth

Kenneth

He held a sign that said “Baby at home with her mother…” It caught my eye and then our eyes met.  I told him about the $2 Portrait project and we started talking.

Kenneth is 38 years old and has been in San Francisco since 2010.  Originally from New Orleans, he moved to SF to get out of the hurricanes.  Being of Asian descent, Kenneth also said he feels much more comfortable in San Francisco.  “There’s a lot more people who look like me here.”  Once in San Francisco, he met a woman and they had a daughter together.  His girlfriend and 3 year old daughter are currently in Sweden since her visa expired and they’re waiting until she can get another to return to the US.  His daughter however is a US citizen.

Kenneth works in the produce district loading trucks - 3am to 11am are the hours a few days a week. He’d like to get more days but for now supplements his income by panhandling.  He’s also looking for something else he can do with his creative writing degree from LSU.

I wished him luck as we shook hands.

Taken 5/29/14

Monday, May 19, 2014

What's in the Murse?

What's in the Murse?

San Francisco, CA

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Laser Focus

Laser Focus

This dude was a trip. I was just leaning on a post around the Powell Street cable car turnaround and watched this guy lock onto an attractive woman who had walked by.  He had been scoping out the women, boasting to his friend about his hit rate; all pretty comical actually.  Immediately after this shot, he took off to befriend his sighting.

Submitted for ClicheSaturday. HCS!

Friday, May 16, 2014

If Looks Could Kill...

If Looks Could Kill...

Powell Street
San Francisco, CA

Thursday, May 15, 2014

An Icon

An Icon

Frank Chu is a San Francisco icon for photographers. I have no idea what's he's prreaching or protesting, but he's always a willing subject when you bump into him on the street.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Pablo

Pablo

Selling the Street Sheet on the corner of Sutter and Powell, he started recapping the headline stories and asked if I’d buy a copy for $1. I offered him $2 instead for his name and his story…and he could keep the Street Sheet. “I won’t turn that deal down”, he said.

Pablo was born and raised in San Francisco and has been out of work for about 18 months. He is both an Army and Air Force veteran (enlisted, not drafted) and served 3 years in Korea (rather than Viet Nam), where he met his wife. They returned to San Francisco, had two children and then later divorced. He still sees his daughter and grandchild occasionally.

Pablo used to drive short-haul trucks until he was laid off and before that, worked for the post office. I asked if he was still seeking employment. Pablo replied that he likes selling the Street Sheet because he gets to talk to lot of different people and is able to make ends meet. “Besides, let the young people get the full-time work. Who’s going to hire an old guy like me?” I asked how old he was to which he retorted, “older than you.” Pablo will be 62 in July…which makes him younger than me.

I tried to get a natural shot of Pablo as we spoke but every time I raised the camera, he broke out into a huge grin. He was a happy guy and seemed to enjoy the conversation.

Taken 5/12/14

Friday, May 2, 2014

Robert...Three Years Later

Robert…Three Years Later

I met him in March 2011.  He was the first of my $2 Portraits.  I remember the unease I felt at our first encounter.  Today, he seems like an old friend.

As reported around this time of year in 2012 and 2013, I continue to see him often.  He still hangs out at the same two spots and rarely a day goes by when I’m in town that I don’t catch him either on the way into the office or on the way home.  This was a tough winter in Chicago and when I didn’t see Robert out there, I wondered about his surviving the extreme conditions.

We’ve talked occasionally since the end of March about the weather warming up and hoping to grab breakfast and sit in the park to just talk.  Here we are at the beginning of May and temps are still in the 40’s and low 50’s.  I saw Robert on Wednesday this week and brought him his favorite McDonald’s McGriddle.  Since I didn’t have my camera,  we agreed to do the 3 year anniversary photo on Friday, weather notwithstanding.  Robert also said he wanted to shave before the photoshoot.  So despite the 46 degree temperature and overcast skies today, I brought him breakfast and took his photo.  I saw him again this afternoon on the way to the train and he reminded me to bring him a color copy of the photo, which I promised to do.

I sometimes wonder what he does, or where he goes, between the morning and evening commute times.  Perhaps when the weather warms up, I’ll find out and chronicle his day.  In the meantime, I gave him a few dollars for the weekend for which he was, as usual, very grateful.

Taken 5/2/14