That takes me back.

G1, kit lens @ 18mm, f/6.3, 1/640, ISO 320

Spotted in San Francisco.

Ex Apple marketing exec.

G1, kit lens @ 18mm, f/6.3, 1/800, ISO 320

This chap used to work in Apple marketing but was let go for consistently telling the truth.

As we obviously share the same role model, Jeffrey Lebowski, I rewarded him well for his candor. His message is simple, direct and true, unlike the ones emerging from Cupertino which are simple and direct only.

A fine face, long and distinguished.

Picture of a picture.

These lovely young women, perfectly attired and made up, spotted the camera slung around my neck. I must have looked the part as they asked that I take their picture for friends back home. As they wanted the Christmas tree in the background to show, I naturally framed the snap vertically which, it turns out, was something of a faux pas. The young woman with the charming pink (!) camera asked politely that I take the snap again, but postcard style this time, please. Well, my second attempt was even worse than the first, but it seemed to do the trick for her.

However, this, the third, was taken for me ….

G1, kit lens @ 18mm, f/3.9, 1/800, ISO 320

A bargain for your love.

G1, kit lens @ 17mm.

Wonderful faces, spotted opposite the Federal Reserve in San Francisco whose denizens have yet to figure out the difference between the big and little hands on their wrists.

A sterile place.

While there’s no denying the magnificent job done by the City of San Francisco in rebuilding the old Ferry Building on the Embarcadero, the result is curiously sterile and uninviting.

The lower level is a food hall with few places to sit with that awful chi chi feel of inauthenticity. You know, places selling ‘artisan cheeses’, ‘hand pressed olive oil’ and ‘gourmet caviar’. Please. A haven, in other words, for those who cannot distinguish price from quality. At least some of the sales clerks are pretty.

G1, kit lens @ 17mm, ISO 800

Segue to the upper level, shown below, which seems comprised solely of offices for the least productive (also known as lawyers) and the feeling of sterility is even greater. People are rarely seen, there are no plaques on the doors, no hustle and bustle. No life. I suppose someone works there but it’s hard to tell. At least the natural lighting is great.

G1, kit lens @ 17mm, ISO 800

The G1’s smallish sensor holds up nicely at ISO 800 here, as long as you don’t underexpose. Proper exposure really helps to keep the noise down and a 13″ x 19″ print is just fine. The color rendering is just lovely in this muted light.