this was the scene last tuesday, as a few thousand citizens rallied at san francisco city hall in response to the court upholding proposition 8. i was on the steps during the initial speeches, just a few steps below the press photographers. i was there primarily to be a part of the crowd and to support the movement, but at times i felt like an embedded photojournalist.

it still feels strange to be to be chanting in protest, and surreal that i found myself again marching down the middle of market street in a huge crowd. this is going to keep up until same-sex couples regain the right to marry in california.

both shots shot on ilford pan f+ 50, developed in rodinal 1+50 for 15 minutes. shot with a widelux f7.

i’ve been shooting a lot lately. these two are from union square.

the first is looking at the intersection of pine and stockton, facing one of the hearts of san francisco. the second is looking at the main entrance to macy’s. both shot on ilford pan f+ 50 with a widelux f7.

swing-lens panoramic cameras are a niche for sure. i was pretty stoked when i acquired this camera and perhaps i’m still in the honeymoon phase, but it’s still a blast to use. i’m still learning how to use it, what scenes play well with the format, and to not be afraid of the 1/15 speed (which takes about 2.5 seconds to complete).

click either image to see a 2048-pixel-wide version.

(800×537)

i was headed to the 24th/mission bart station to head downtown to meet up with ryan. i could hear a lot of commotion as i walked down capp street towards 24th so i figured something was going on at the station plaza. when i got there, there was a procession going down mission street and people were congregating at the plaza, chanting and holding signs. it looked like a protest against city funding cuts. there were lots of young students, including most of a marching band, playing music in the procession. as they crossed 24th street i was right there in the middle of it with my canonet ql17.

always carrying a camera pays off when you live in a neighborhood full of interesting characters, in a city full of unrest with the system. it puts you into situations like i was in — neck-high in students carrying signs in different languages, chanting, and lugging marching band instruments. and what’s fun about photography is catching the moment, like where this kid was staring straight ahead at me. it just all came together nicely.

what i learned from this was: 1. don’t feel awkward carrying a camer around all the time. (f/8 and be there, right?) and 2. don’t hesitate to walk right into the action. people will just walk around you, but from your perspective it pushes you right into the front row.