A Day At The Fair

The most recent Folsom St. (Leather) Fair was probably the largest on record, least, seemed it to me- and I was happy to collect over a half dozen keepers. I usually poop out after two and a half hours but this time I hanged for a full four since the opportunities were there and it was probably the last time this year that I'd really be able to put my new, used Q through its paces- I even got to see my first self fellating contortionist for the effort.

Photo: © Stan Banos

Best thing I saw however, was the woman above who I first noticed across the street. Now, one can't exactly meander unto The Folsom St. Fair without having a good inkling of what it's about- that said, you can never quite prepare yourself for everything you're likely to and undoubtedly will see... But there she was, looking innocent as all hell, as if idly clutching the kewpie doll she had just won on the seaside boardwalk. I walked up, snapped the photo, and realizing the optics... she burst out into what would be a good long laugh for both of us!

Photo: © Stan Banos

Late in the afternoon and already tiring, I did a double take on the pink haired lady in chains- something was not quite right! Sure enough, it was one very convincing female Manga tour de force. 

Finally calling it a day, I headed for the nearest exit home only to come across... The Lady in Pink, which proved the best laugh of a most productive day.

Once editing of the remaining raw files is completed, I'll set about putting together an updated, magazine format edition of At The Fair. Maybe I'll even try sending it about to publishers, etc- this winter season's exercise in futility...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Looking Forward (at Pier 24)

Photos: Erica Deeman  (courtesy Pier 24)

Haven't been to a (really) good photo exhibit in quite some time. Looking Forward at Pier 24 in San Francisco has a bit of something for most anyone into photography. Quite frankly, I didn't much care for most of it, but the parts I did- Wow, just... WOW!

The first thing that caught my eye, I mean stopped me dead in my tracks if I'm being honest, was Erica Deeman's The Brown Series. Honestly, I don't think a series of portraits ever so affected me; nor has a grid presentation ever been so perfectly and effectively utilized! It stops you, holds you and demands your surrender. The square, uniform, almost monochromatic portraits are of Black/Brown men of all shades taken against tan backgrounds displayed on a brown wall in a darkened room* and the effect is both stunning and mesmerizing. "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" was never more true... This experience alone was worth the price of admission- if they charged one. Ain't too many museums worldwide charging well over $20 that hold anything, anywhere this good to look at, and contemplate...

*The room is darkened but the photos are well lit- unlike the current trend in so many museums/galleries.

Photo: Daniel Postaer

Then there was Daniel Postaer's Boomtown- large, dramatic, almost unworldly street photographs! The online reproductions don't do his work justice. There are street photographers, and there's this guy, with a cinematic view that just boggles with its: composition, drama, and timing. There's one shot bathed in the most gorgeous light of a guy caught midstep, approaching another man pausing to ponder existence itself that is nothing short of miraculous. Flawless, impeccable- choose whatever accolades you wish, the guy's just a step (or two) above what passes for superb. 

And some prints by Fred Herzog certainly rounded off the afternoon rather well. The print of the man with a bandaged hand was even better than I imagined in person, and the couple walking in front of the Army/Navy sign has to be one of the greatest photos in the history of photography...

Photo: Fred Herzog

The Face of Stupidity...

It's amazing how one person can continue to find and accentuate new levels of absolute... STUPIDITY! 

But then: Intelligence has its limits while stupidity has none.

-Claude Chabrol 

Triptych

My first (and everyone should have one)! BTW- Gotta be honest here... as I was taking these, I kinda expected someone to come up and ask, "Excuse me, is that a Leica?" And of course, I would have to admit that it was, to which they would then reply, "Then, I'm afraid, we both know what the consequences are, sir." And clearly, I would have immediately sensed what he was inferring- I would have to surrender my Q on the spot. Obviously, this was GR 'snapshot' subject matter, and well beneath the purpose and dignity of any Leica to the manor born. Fortunately, this level of brand crime went unnoticed on this particular weekend stroll, but I'm fully aware of the risks I am willingly taking should I continue to pursue this behavior...

 

Photos: © Stan Banos

Lindsey's Gift

Photo: © Stan Banos

Republicans stick to the script- No matter what! And they do it together; they don't waver, they don't bicker (in public)- they stick to the goddamn script! And ya really gotta admire them for that. While Dems ineffectively argue among themselves, Repubs plot, execute, stay the course...

And that is why Lindsey's move is so freakishly... inexplicable. He just doubled down on the one item, probably the one and only item, that their base ain't all that down on. And... he did it without consulting with fellow leaders cronies!

It's not that Ol' Lindsey won't 180 whenever it suites him and party, if anything, it's his one guiding light- but this ain't that, and I just can't figure the plus side...

Fair And Balanced!

Mucho well deserved props to none other than my main man Sean Hannity for his clear, thorough and well documented listing of Individual One's long list of achievements, or what the more cynical amongst us might call... High Crimes and Misdemeanors. Always give credit where credit due!

PS- Anyone know where to find some... missing docs?

Noticed!

Sometimes, I don't actually realize it till well into mid-winter, other times (like this Monday) it hits me early like some paranormal epiphany. Holiday spirit? Hell, no! The change in light- those warm summer tones are now in the rear view mirror as the cooler, bluer autumnal vibes set in. Now, I'm far (very) from the most accurate judge of color casts and temps (proven that once too many since I've been shooting color again), so there's always that (large) part of me that's left all a wonderin' about the accuracy of my seasonal observations. But dang, if even I notice it, someone who can be so blatantly oblivious to it- then it's gotta be true!

That's what I hear, that's what they say...

Return Of The Q

Living Large.             Photo: © Stan Banos

No, not the Hillary child sex, pizza parlor variety, not the JFK, Jr. reanimator type either, nope, not even this guy! Just the camera, the camera I've lusted for a good half dozen years. Had to wait that long just to get it at a somewhat reasonable price. And then I had to return the damn thing cause the sensor had a big ol' smudge on it like someone cleaned it while chomping away at their Big Mac. Fortunately, the store I bought it from in Japan is a reputable company- they accepted and paid for the return. And a few weeks later notified me they had another at the same price point- I bit again, and... no regrets. Truth is, it has a coupla slight dust marks (even after an official Leica sensor cleaning), but for half the MSRP, ya can only complain so much, and they disappear (when even visible) after some minor dodging/cloning; the rest of the camera seems to work flawlessly, and it's cosmetically quite clean. I've seen Q's in this condition sell for a full grand more- and without the Leica cleansing. Can only imagine- Caveat Emptor! 

Did I need it that bad? Not really, not at all. The GR punches way above its weight and does most everything quite well and beyond. But the viewfinder is nice for events (leather fair coming late Sept) and, well... it's just such a goddamn sexy beast!

It was either a week's vacation or the camera- I usually always vote the former, but I had already visited moms in NYC, as well as the estranged wife in Portland this year. So I figured I'd go for the legacy camera while I still had the bucks. If Fujifilm made a high quality 28mm equivalent that wasn't ginormous (and expensive), I'd be spending a week in LA, right about... now! Currently, I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go- but a few more vacations, will no doubt be had, provided I'm still walking these earthly parameters the following year(s).

Was really uncertain about the photo above, wasn't sure about the composition (even though I worked it best I could under the circumstances). Just seemed contorted, unbalanced, not completely... there, but it's really grown on me for whatever reason. Perhaps my indecision reflects my feelings about the content- conflicted. A nice young couple in their prime enjoying life to the fullest- or a spoiled, well to do duo treating the world as their oyster without the slightest care or regard for anyone or anything around them? Will never know (for sure)... 

I'm also conflicted about the graffiti in the second shot- a likely epithet. But on such a gorgeous day, complete with sailboat, azure sea and sky, it loses whatever negative connotation it may have and reverts to its original state, making for one nicely minimalist and complementary, short poem.

Photo: © Stan Banos

Lesson Learned- Kinda, Sorta, In A Way...

So, I'm headed to the San Francisco version of the subway when I see this woman having a wee bit o' trouble navigating the busted up sidewalk in her wheelchair. I offer to help. "I can do it myself," she says rather curtly and succinctly. Okay... 

So... I'm seated in the subway car, the doors open and this man in a wheelchair is having a wee bit o' trouble navigating the gap between car and platform. Heh-heh, not this time... lesson learned (practically heaven sent)! Meanwhile, people are crowding on through the small leeway created by said wheelchair blocking the doorway. Nope, nope, ain't gonna do it; just made the very same mistake with a woman not ten minutes prior, I certainly ain't gonna repeat it with a man (read whatever sexist context you want). Finally, in frustration, I yell out, "Give the guy some room, will ya!" "Then why don't ya get up and help him," a woman yells back...

From The Sublime...

Photo: © Stan Banos

To the inane, but yeah, mostly the inane...

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos

Photo: © Stan Banos