Monthly Archives: February 2013

UC Berkeley

Photographs

One of the best.


Those who remember the sixties will recall the label ‘Beserkeley’ applied to the students at UC Berkeley, protesting the Viet Nam war. The then governor of California went as far as to fire the Chancellor, Clark Kerr, for refusing to expel these uppity students. The students, of course, were right.

And though a public school, UC Berkeley lays claim to some of the highest academic standards in the US, meaning in the world. Nobel laureates galore come from Berkeley and there’s probably no cheaper way to garner a world class education in any one or more of a broad range of curricula. I would have no issues with my son attending this great school if he turns down the Ivy League.

Most striking – after you get over the dramatic hillside setting – is the university’s commitment to architecture. You will find all periods here and while the styles are all over the place, there’s something for everyone.


A commitment to architecture. Click the picture for Howard’s resumé.


The Energy Biosciences building.


The Quad.


Everything a campus should be.


The belltower.


The Bay Bridge seen from the main cross street on the hill.


Studying.


The California building.


Live free or die.


“We have been here every Friday since 9/11.”

Traversing the campus I was engaged in conversation by a freshman studying business and physics. Interesting combination. He wanted to go to London to attend Question Time in the House of Commons and we had a lively discussion on the differences between American and British legislative systems, concluding that both were in thrall to big money interests. I disabused the lad of any idea of going to London. “Go to Paris, my man. That’s where American democracy originated. Plus, it’s beautiful.”

UC Berkeley is stunning. You can easily get there on the BART (Downtown Berkeley stop) from anywhere in the Bay Area. Just be sure to avoid the Ansel Adams exhibit of over processed monochromes in the Bancroft Library.

All on the Nikon D3x with the 35/1.4 Sigma.

Daniel the metal craftsman

Photographs, Working people

The man and his workshop.

I had contracted a spot of flu, nothing serious, but enough to pull the pin on my pain threshold. By the time I struggled into Daniel Macchiarini’s (‘Mac-ee-arr-eenie’) store on Grant Street in North Beach yesterday, I was feeling pretty beaten up. The D3x and the Sigma 35/1.4 are no lightweights at the best of times and on this occasion I could feel my pain. I did not need anyone else to feel it for me. Every hair on my head testified to it.

Anyway, I was rather woozily admiring the metal gate with the monkey at the store when Daniel popped out.

“If you pat him on the head, your life expectancy will increase by six years!”

Just to be safe, I patted the lad twice. You can’t be too careful with these things.

And after just a few moments of discussion with Daniel and his small fluff ball of a pup named Luigi, with whom I instantly bonded, I had stopped feeling sorry for myself, enjoying the thrill of seeing Daniel’s very large workroom in the rear of the store. It must be some 50′ x 30′, a rare luxury in so costly an area of San Francisco. Packed to the rafters with tools and materials, it is an intensely interesting place and one in which Daniel has been crafting beautiful jewelry and objets d’art for 50 years, like his father before him.

“My dad and now I have worked here since he built in in 1906.”

“Right after the earthquake and fire. Which did more damage?”

“Neither. The Army did.”

“The Army?”

“Yes. They believed they could stop fires with explosives which they set off in great quantities destroying what was left of the city. Lunacy.”

“Indeed. A little power is a dangerous thing. Yet you are so privileged to have this wonderful workspace attached to your retail store.”

“Yes. It’s my workshop and has been for fifty years.”

You can see more of Daniel’s beautiful work on his web site here. There are earrings, pendants and bracelets galore.

Images, except the last, made with the Nikon D3x, 35/1.4 Sigma at f/2, ISO800. Last on the Panny G1 with the kit lens, ISO 100.

I’ll drop by a large portrait print to Daniel next week.