CALIBER » Julie

Terry.

Julie — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:00:39 +0000

On Larkin Street.

Gethsemane at Grove.

Julie — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:00:14 +0000

Western Addition.

Through Their Lens: Justin Beck

Julie — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:00:01 +0000

Powell Street BART Station by Justin Beck

Justin Beck is a native Californian who lives in San Francisco and teaches journalism at San Francisco State University. He previously worked at the San Francisco Chronicle as a multimedia producer. Justin has been taking pictures as a hobby since 2008, and his work can be found on Flickr and his photoblog, pix plz.

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As a journalist, you’ve seen this profession change dramatically over the past years. Give us an idea of where you see photography and journalism headed as the medium and the tools change so quickly. What is the impact on the media today with journalists who take their own photos for a story or photographers who write about what they see. Does this affect the quality of journalistic reporting that we receive? What are the pros and cons, if any?

Back in the mid-90s when I first started doing journalism as a volunteer radio talk show host at KDVS-FM in Davis, I was always amused when I would ask someone where they thought things were headed and they would answer, “I can’t predict the future.” I love that answer. And it’s how I think about journalism right now. All I can offer are guesses. I have no idea how things will look in a few years, but I can imagine the big institutions continuing to shrink while more and more smaller, independent organizations and individuals get involved. I like hyperlocal journalism and hope it thrives. More power in the hands of more people seems like a good thing for society. On the other hand, at least for now, there are fewer paying jobs. The changes we’re seeing probably are having an affect on the quality of journalism. It’s not a simple matter of it getting better or worse, but overall I’m optimistic and think the changes will be for the better. I could be wrong.

Give us an idea of what you think photojournalism means and how it differs from street or documentary photography. How close are these disciplines and where do they differ?

I think they’re pretty close, but it just depends. Photojournalism should tell a story. Street and documentary photography might tell one, or they might raise questions more than they give answers.

What photographers past and present inspire you? If you could spend a day with a photographer, living or dead, who would it be and why?

From what I’ve seen of it, I admire the work of people like Garry Winogrand, Dorothea Lange, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Robert Capa. The photographers I’m most inspired by are my peers — mainly, contacts I’ve made through Flickr. I try and spend as much time as I can, usually every day, looking at their pictures. If I could hang out for day with anyone, I might choose Eric Brandt, because I really admire his work but haven’t had a chance to meet him yet.

Tell us about a memorable instance where having your camera made an impact on what you were experiencing.

I always have my camera with me, so it impacts my experience more often than not. I’m constantly looking around and seeking out opportunities. Last year there was this blackbird named Swoops that got famous for attacking pedestrians on Front Street in downtown San Francisco. I went over there with my camera and got lucky.

What would be your dream destination for photographic purposes?

San Francisco is a dream destination. Another would be Paris.

What are your current projects and what are you inspired to photograph at present?

I’m interested mostly in doing more street photography and getting better at it. I’ve recently collected a bunch of pictures of people paired with street art, though I wouldn’t call it a project. Seems too formal.

Tell us about your gear and workflow.

I use a Nikon D90 along with an 18-200mm zoom lens, a 50mm prime, and a 105mm macro. The zoom stays on there most of the time. Manual exposure and focus. Lightroom for all the processing. I publish one picture a day.

Share a favorite photograph with us that you’ve taken and tell us about it.

Here’s one I took in the Powell Street BART station. I guess I like it because of the lines and the sense of depth, but the girl in the yellow shirt is what makes it special to me.

Thanks, Justin.

Happy Birthday, Red Vic.

Julie — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:00:56 +0000

From my walk home yesterday via Haight Street instead of taking the N.

Painting the Church.

Julie — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:30:09 +0000

Bernal Heights.

Make a Face.

Julie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:00:59 +0000

Flickr Friday: “Stuck”

Julie — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:30:27 +0000

Stuck by Hunter Luisi

There isn’t a photographer I know who doesn’t love a good bit of decay and decomposition. I especially like the fine details here (the bolts, striations, rust) and the sharp light flares coming through the bars.

We truly appreciate your submissions to the CALIBER flickr pool and look forward to seeing all of the wonderful things you see and want to share. I think watching the flickr pool slideshow is the best way to experience this collection of images.

Kill(er) Clown.

Julie — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:56:30 +0000

I just read this little bit of weird SF trivia on Boing Boing and it reminded me of this photo I took off of 24th Street in the Mission.

Aztec Dancers.

Julie — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:00:58 +0000

From a recent wedding celebration I photographed in the East Bay.

She’s Got Legs.

Julie — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 18:30:51 +0000

On 6th Street near Howard, SoMa.

Matching Greens.

Julie — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 18:30:46 +0000

From yesterday’s photowalk, near the Defenestration Building at 6th and Howard… you may recognize the long lens of a certain Mr. Donald Kinney in the background.

I really love this image. I had so much fun meeting people (lots of new faces!) and taking photos of people taking photos.

On Break.

Julie — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:26:58 +0000

Last night, across the street from Schroeder’s in the Financial District, on Halleck.

Broadway Tunnel.

Julie — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:00:57 +0000

From this morning, while wandering with Dottie and Michael.

Shell Building.

Julie — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:30:05 +0000

Bush at Battery.

Michelle Tea.

Julie — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:30:16 +0000

I can’t believe there was a time when I didn’t want to take pictures of people. It’s so odd to me now, because I do portraiture so often these days and I love it so much.

This photo is Mission-based writer and poet Michelle Tea. The blog Mission Loc@l asked me to spend some time with Michelle and take some photos of her for an interview that’s published today on their site. These interviews will be part of an upcoming zine called MyMission, I Know My Streets. This portrait will be transformed into an illustration for the zine, something I’m intrigued by and will look forward to seeing. I’ve never had an illustrator work with any of my portraits before.

You can see more of our shoot together in Michelle’s beloved haunt: Adobe Books on 16th Street.

Homies.

Julie — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:00:30 +0000

Powell Station.

St. Paul Shines.

Julie — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 08:32:51 +0000

Paul McCartney hasn’t played in San Francisco since the Beatles came to Candlestick 44 years ago.

Not being able to bring a real camera to a show is such a drag. There was a guy in front of me who was in a heated argument with a security guard about the Nikon around his neck. Fingers pointing hard at the camera, I heard the guard say he’d confiscate the camera if he saw the man taking any more photos.

Paul looked (and sounded) great tonight at AT&T Park. I just wish I had a better photo to show you.

Three Travelers.

Julie — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:00:33 +0000

On the 71-Haight/Noriega, headed home.

July 18, Next Photowalk: SoMa

Julie — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:00:20 +0000

Grab your camera, throw on some comfortable walking shoes and join us for a walk through the streets of SoMa. We’ll meet at SOMArts Cultural Center at 3pm, and we’ll walk the neighborhood, looking for interesting details and exploring the urban landscape. Photographers of all ages and skill levels are welcome, so bring the whole tribe out.

Our belief is that the best camera is the one you have with you… so join us! Make some new friends and we’ll see what we can see in SoMa.

After the walk, we’ll meet back at SOMArts for pizza, beer & soft drinks, and take a break to rest up and see what photos we’ve captured on our walk. $10 includes refreshments (cheap!) but if you are not planning to stay after the walk, please give what you can and come join us … no one will be turned away.

Because we want to be able to have enough pizza and drinks for everyone (and yes, we mean YOU), please be sure to RSVP via the SOMArts website (easy registration through eventbrite will sign you right up).

See you Sunday, July 18!

What: SoMa Photowalk with CaliberSF (please RSVP)
When: Sunday, July 18 beginning at 3pm.
Where: 934 Brannan St (@8th). Walk starts at 3pm at SOMArts, returns around 5pm or 5:30pm to share photos, pizza & drinks. $10 suggested donation covers the cost of food and drink per person.

ps. You can follow SOMArts on twitter, too: @somarts

Park at 90 Degrees.

Julie — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:00:37 +0000

On Rhode Island Street in Potrero Hill.

This is the first image I processed in LR3. There are so many new features that I can see a lot of late nights in front of the computer in my future as I learn what this program can do. I played around with the film grain on this one, and used one of their new presets (Color Creative – Yesteryear 1). If anyone has any great links to tutorials or info to share about LR3, please let us all know in the comments!

Frida and the Leaf.

Julie — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:30:13 +0000

Happy birthday, Frida Kahlo.

Dog Day Afternoon.

Julie — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:00:09 +0000

Another glimpse of 4th of July. Yesterday in Golden Gate Park.

(Looks even better bigger.)

w00t.

Julie — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 02:03:40 +0000

Hope your 4th was fun.

You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out.

Julie — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:30:56 +0000

Don’t set fire to things that are bigger than you are this weekend. Happy 4th!

(This was my runner up photo.)

On the Side.

Julie — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:30:40 +0000

This Furniture and Carpets building is one of my favorite facades downtown, but today’s the first time I ever noticed the side of it. Taken from the Fox Warfield side of things, at Taylor.