photos by keefer San Francisco

This is an interesting iteration of the SF Skyline. It's fascinating how clinical this photo feels in comparison to how the skyline seems to me all the time living here. Though we've definitely Manhattanized in the 40 years since I moved here from NY, there's still a bit of that village-like feeling that remains, especially in comparison to NY. I think of SF as softer than this, warmer, more inviting, more alive and casual. But, to some extent, that makes this a powerful photo in your being able to transform it so and present it in this very unique, formal, and silent way. It's as if SF has never seen traffic or people rushing to a Muni station. Cheers and a hearty toast to a wonderful city!

Hi Fred. I agree this photo does not capture your fine city from street level. From the distance I was, it is hard to make out a few people walking on Fisherman's Wharf at full resolution. It would be fun to view this taken from a 5DR or D810 or New Sony A7R II. Maybe see people on the balconies or making coffee through the window. A lot of San Francisco does have a village feel, as large an area that these large building occupy, there is a much larger area that is not this.

Shortly before this shot last Sunday, I dropped my son's off around Chinatown a few block from Fisherman's Wharf. Next thing I knew I was stuck in a lane of traffic with no way out and heading across the Bay Bridge. lol. I recalled a photographer that morning say I had to go to Treasure Island for great shots of the city. So I made a left off the Bridge before the tunnel and there I was. 

I didn't get near my fill of photographing San Francisco my Christmas week there. It is a great town. People were all friendly. I love it. Got to visit Haight and Ashbury, drive around the Grateful Dead House, up to Twin Peaks, the run around the Presidio, Golden Gate Park, Fisherman's Wharf, ran around the Beach near the Cliff House. The architecture is a treat to see. So much good food and a restaurants. The views on the Pacific Coast line are awesome. We got a place in Pacifica for week and I was getting pretty good at driving up California 1 over to Skyline Drive and then driving up along the beach driving my wife to work every day. The trolleys as so cool.

My wife is working out there till March, I will try to get back out there before then. If not maybe next time she pulls a San Francisco gig. She loves it too and says she will definitely go back. My work is flexible enough, I can work remotely from any place with a good internet connection, so I will definitely be back. I just don't want to try my luck with the boss after just getting back first week of the year and head back out. lol. Maybe in a month or so, haha, then come out for 2 weeks. What us February like there?

San Francisco is one of my favorite towns. Looking forward to returning.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. Cheers, Mark

February is probably our rainiest month, when we get rain. As you know, we're currently in the middle of a drought but we're expecting an el niño year so February might be quite gray and wet. Even if so, there will often be at least a few dry, sunny days thrown in, which tend to be crisp winter days (rarely gets to be freezing here). But, part of San Francisco's charm is its foggy, gray, misty weather and it can make for some excellent photo ops, though probably not those more typical tourist shots which would require better weather. The wharf in the very early morning hours can be a lot of fun. And I recommend neighborhoods like the Mission, which is ethnic, colorful, has great Mexican food, and lots of authentic street murals (check out Balmy Alley, off 24th Street). 

Mark, to paraphrase another Mark: "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer I spent in San Francisco." William Pereira would say you got this one right simply for putting his tower, also known as "Pereira's Prick" in architectural circles, smack in the middle of the scene. Having spent a bit of time in SF I echo the interesting impression of this view as being Manhattanesque. Perhaps that is what makes it so interesting. It shows us a face of the city that few people know or would find familiar. Well done. Oh, I wish you luck finding a day when the western sky is actually blue. ;-)

lol, did not know that is they called it. Thanks Dave and Fred.

I was playing around with another shot. Color is bit pushed, but it is fun. Here is a link to the full Res shot. LINK If you click on the photo when it loads should go full res.