More time in the Mission
February 15th, 2010 Posted in Uncategorized
That’s Gaston, snapped Friday near a cafe on Valencia.
I’ve been shooting more and more in the Mission lately. Last Friday, Saturday, and the two previous weeks. It’s been a great change from the downtown where I’ve been feeling burned out. Valencia Street seems easy – everyone talked to there was good for a portrait. But the energy on Mission between 16th and 18th was totally different where the gentrified feel of Valencia is absent and the environment is grittier. Have had limited success there, but that area is new to me. Last Friday’s engagements along that short section were much more rewarding than shooting in the downtown. Talking (and especially listening) extensively to the people on Mission that refused to be photographed was great. The stories are interesting and the people that I and photo-friend Rikki (an ex-resident there) engaged really wanted to be heard. I came away energized from the encounters, and the fact that I couldn’t get every portrait I wanted at that moment seemed pretty inconsequential. There’ll be other opportunities…
4 Responses to “More time in the Mission”
By Luis on Feb 21, 2010
I guess that the more people see you around the more confidence they’ll have; plant the seed, cultivate, and reap rewards later. But the engagement with the people you mention is stimulating and quite a reward in itself. You could live a thousand years and never truly put your finger on human nature. Nothing like spending what little time we have getting to know a fellow passenger or two on this big, big blue vessel…
Gaston, that look of his –forgive the cliché– speaks volumes: street smarts yet a bit of defiance. Really like the use of lines and the background for context, too.
By emamd on Feb 21, 2010
great shot brad, let me know when you’re around the neighborhood!
By Brad on Feb 23, 2010
That’s true Luis. Sometimes I think having a camera is just a tool and opportunity to get a bit into peoples’ lives. And as a bonus, you get to take some photos (most of the time).
By Brad on Feb 23, 2010
Hey Armand, thanks. Really looking forward to shooting with you this week and learning more about the neighborhood.