As I mentioned before, I had the opportunity on Wednesday to watch the Olympic torch pass through the city. However, due to a preplanned "last-minute" route change, I never saw it. Nonetheless, it was fairly scintillating and basically allowed me to play photojournalist for a day. All the images here are in chronological order.
What follows is just my observation of the event, and you're more than welcome to ask me anything about the pictures. However, NO political comments (i.e. "China out of Tibet!") are to be posted. If it gets to that point, I'll have the mods close the thread.
Making my way through the huge crowd at Justin Herman Plaza, which was going to be the end of the relay route, but it was bypassed altogether. I just stuck my camera up like a periscope to get a shot.
As expected, insane media coverage.
At the intersection of Market and the Embarcadero (the main drag if you want to go to a Giants game, Pier 39, or Fisherman's Wharf). The mob there was pretty suffocating, and I had to make my way through it in order to get across the street.
Groups of protesters marched in both directions on the street. This demonstration was on the trolley tracks in the middle.
Pro-China (pointing) and pro-Tibet supporter (in white sweatshirt) engaged in a heated argument. Many people, including myself, paused to shoot this. This was my second shot, as the first one saw some guy step in front of me at the last second to get a picture.
Further down the Embarcadero, near AT&T Park, home of our (lousy) S.F. Giants.
Incredibly, this was the only guy I saw using a megaphone to get his message across.
Rooftop observers across the street from the ballpark.
After waiting for an hour for nothing, I and many others gave up and decided to head back. I must admit, it was quite nice to walk in the street and shoot at random. In the background is the Bay Bridge.
Banner hung from a parking garage.
All afternoon, there was a concert, but it was way too crowded for me to get in close. The songs I overheard were "Get Down Tonight" and "Jessie's Girl" (huh?). Here is a video wall that was above the stage.
In the subway station, ready to call it a day.
What follows is just my observation of the event, and you're more than welcome to ask me anything about the pictures. However, NO political comments (i.e. "China out of Tibet!") are to be posted. If it gets to that point, I'll have the mods close the thread.
Making my way through the huge crowd at Justin Herman Plaza, which was going to be the end of the relay route, but it was bypassed altogether. I just stuck my camera up like a periscope to get a shot.
As expected, insane media coverage.
At the intersection of Market and the Embarcadero (the main drag if you want to go to a Giants game, Pier 39, or Fisherman's Wharf). The mob there was pretty suffocating, and I had to make my way through it in order to get across the street.
Groups of protesters marched in both directions on the street. This demonstration was on the trolley tracks in the middle.
Pro-China (pointing) and pro-Tibet supporter (in white sweatshirt) engaged in a heated argument. Many people, including myself, paused to shoot this. This was my second shot, as the first one saw some guy step in front of me at the last second to get a picture.
Further down the Embarcadero, near AT&T Park, home of our (lousy) S.F. Giants.
Incredibly, this was the only guy I saw using a megaphone to get his message across.
Rooftop observers across the street from the ballpark.
After waiting for an hour for nothing, I and many others gave up and decided to head back. I must admit, it was quite nice to walk in the street and shoot at random. In the background is the Bay Bridge.
Banner hung from a parking garage.
All afternoon, there was a concert, but it was way too crowded for me to get in close. The songs I overheard were "Get Down Tonight" and "Jessie's Girl" (huh?). Here is a video wall that was above the stage.
In the subway station, ready to call it a day.
