archives... August 2011

Swan Oyster Depot

I had a lovely lunch date with my friend, Jordan, at Swan Oyster Depot today.

Despite having lived in the neighborhood for 9 years now, Jordan had never been to eat there. Until today.

It’s located on Polk Street, at the foot of Nob Hill–my old stomping grounds.

Even though it was 11:45 on a Tuesday, there was a long wait.  As usual.
They only seat about 20 people along the bar inside.

This place is an institution in the city. It’s a somewhat like Tadich, but smaller…and a bit scruffier. In a good way.

Our waiter, Tom, was a kick. Naturally, he’s part of the family that has been running the place since 1912.  He made our afternoon and our meal, that much more delightful.

Of course, we started with oysters.

Yes, they were as good as they look.

But we couldn’t stop there, and enjoyed both shrimp cocktail and clam chowder before giving into our full bellies.

Needless to say, I will be back.

After all, it’s one of my favorite places in town.
If you haven’t been…do I even need to say it?  Just go.

#486: Oli in the Sun

Tintype

Last weekend, I was invited at the last minute to the grand opening of Photobooth, a new gallery + shop in San Francisco’s mission district. Thanks, Sachiko!

I’m so glad I went. The owners, Vince and Michael are doing such cool work on their own and showcasing great new talent coming out of San Francisco. With a focus on lo-fi and alternative kinds of photography–like polaroid, tintype and lomography–they’re offering a kind of unique portrait studio cum gallery. And the time is ripe for it. From iPhoneography to Instagram, it seems like everyone these days is going crazy (and filter-happy) for that unique, idiosyncratic style of lo-fi photography pioneered by the Polaroids and Lomos of the past. Now that the Impossible Project has made polaroid film accessible once again, people are snapping up vintage polaroid cameras like hotcakes.

Photobooth has all kinds of lo-fi and toy photo paraphenalia for sale, from the aforementioned vintage polaroids, lomography gear and impossible film, to locally-made camera bags and t-shirts. But they’re also offering two kinds of unique portrait sessions–polaroid and tintype–five days a week on a rotating schedule for anyone who feels like popping by.

So, do you think I could resist getting my own tintype portrait done at the grand opening?


Of course not!

Before you judge, know that this scan is a meager facsimile of the real deal. The tintype portrait sitting on my vanity is much richer, the gradations of grey much more subtle and nuanced, and the intensity around the eyes…well, more intense. The other tidbit I’d like to add is that the exposure was one full second. In photographer’s terms, that is long. Not conducive to smiling. You must hold very still for the portrait, even under extreme glaring light. Also, the artist told me, ‘I want to see some intensity.’  Well, there you have it. Some of you (Mom) might not like this image of me, as a portrait. It’s not necessarily flattering, but it certainly is interesting.

What do you think?

:  :  :

*Above photo by Michael Shindler

#485: Sweet Emeline

What a grin…

Scenes from 709A… #3

 

Inglenook

 

 

 

 

 

 

#484: wish you were here…

don’t you?

wish i was here, too.