#Ferguson #protest in #Oakland

Sometimes as a photojournalist you have to find the news, and sometimes the news finds you.

 On Tuesday evening I was Thanksgiving shopping at Trader Joe's in Oakland with my wife. The store suddenly was closed down around 8:30 pm because of protest about the grand jury not indicting a police officer in the killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO. We checked out and exited and found that right outside the store protesters had blocked I-580.  My photojournalist instincts kicked in and I grabbed this shot from an overpass with my cell phone. I emailed it into the SF Gate, who retweeted the image.

I knew I had to continue photographing the protest with my cameras so we went back home I grabbed my gear and walked back to the protest on the highway.

When I got back the protesters had moved down I-580 to the Grand Ave. exit.  There a force of riot police officers gathered to push off protesters who had stopped traffic on the interstate.

 After the protesters had been pushed off the freeway, the cars were able to move on.

 Some protesters tried to stop the police from moving them away...

...using the chant "hands up don't shoot." But the police moved them back.

But some protesters didn't move quickly enough and were arrested by the police officers.

 Down below on the streets a line of police officers stood to disperse the protesters.

A few protests continued on the streets, and ended up getting violent in downtown Oakland.  However I had to head home to file some photos right away for the SF Gate.  After all it was only a short walk away.

Giants Fans Celebrate 2014 World Series Victory

For the third time in five years San Francisco Giants fans celebrated a World Series victory.  A lively crowd packed the Civic Center hoping for the Giants to overcome a difficult Kansas City Royals to claim the crown.

When Pablo Sandoval caught a foul ball for the last out of the game the crowd erupted and champagne went flying everywhere through the air.

 Someone snuck fireworks into the crowd and they ended up exploding above San Francisco City Hall.

The celebration spilled into the streets. Thousands of fans flooded Market Street, creating an impromptu parade.

A New Orleans Brass Band led the way...

...and they got everyone dancing in the streets.

Not everyone was willing to take part. Some people decided to watch the festivities from a distance.

There had been vandalism and some violence during the 2010 and 2012 celebrations. Once again this year it happened again.

 But the vast majority of the fans were there to celebrate and enjoy the moment.

Maybe with more champagne...

...or with some rather random displays of Giants pride.  It was wacky celebration, a fun celebration and it was a uniquely San Francisco celebration.  Congrats Giants and congrats San Francisco!!

Partial SolarEclipse over the San Francisco Bay Area #sloohpartialsolar

 There was a partial solar eclipse over the skies of the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday afternoon.  I love shooting solar eclipses.  It's the third time I've experience one.

Once was in 2009 in Hong Kong,  The second was in 2012 outside Redding, Calif. and the third was today.  So amazing to see it happen and just as fun to photograph it!

#ThanksLD Landon Donovan says Goodbye to the #USMNT

 In a night full of emotions and goodbyes, Landon Donovan, the greatest USA Men's National team player ever, said goodbye to the team, the fans and his USMNT career in Hartford Connecticut last Friday night.
For USA fan Doug Morales (with his daughter) it was a full circle experience.  He was at Donovan's first game in LA in 2000.  And with 36,000 other fans, he had to be at Donovan's last game as well.  For me personally it was the close of an era as well.  I first became a hardcore USA fan attending games in 2000, and Donovan was always playing a role with the team.  To see him say goodbye was a sad moment. A true farewell to so many memories and the passage of time.

 Donovan heads out for his final run about on the soccer field for the USA team.

 Early in the match Donovan was able to celebrate with his teammates after they took an early lead.

 The USA fans cheered Donovan on hoping he would score one more goal in his final match.

 But he just missed a goal that hit off the post...

 ...and he had to rue the missed chances as his time of the field came to a close.

Donovan said goodbye to all his teammates on the bench.

At the end of the game, fans who traveled from far all over the USA waited for one last chance to say goodbye as well.

 It was an emotional moment for Donovan, who could not hold back the tears.
As the fans screamed for one more wave from Donovan...

 he saluted all who came out for the game.

And in the end he got to say thank you to everyone in his own way.  I never was the biggest Landon Donovan fan over the years (that honor will always go to Clint Mathis) but I have grown to respect and admire all he achieved.  USA soccer would not be where it is today without the contributions of Donovan, and for that I thank him from the bottom of my heart.  #LegenD

Mill Valley Film Festival

Had a lot of fun photographing the premiere night for the Mill Valley Film Festival for the Marin IJ.  The two big starts in attendance were Hillary Swank (who took a selfie with some young fans)...

...and director Jason Reitman.

The media swarmed both Swank...

...and Reitman determined to get their photographs.

The festival is also a lot of fun for the locals who get to dress up for the premiere gala.

And then get in line to see the movies..

So much fun!  You can see more of my photographs on the Marin IJ website.

#OutsideLands via Instagram

It was nice to take a 3-day weekend off from work for the first time in forever at Outside Lands!

It was great to kick back, relax and soak up the atmosphere.

Hear some of my favorite artists, including Valerie June at the Sutro stage.

 And see some Duck Sauce being made on stage.
Even though I left my camera at home,  I took a bunch of pix with my cell phone...

And posted it on my Instagram feed.

 So whether it was Gene Farris rocking the dome.

 Ranger Bob making sure everyone was safe.

 Finding out about local bands like Slim Jenkins...

 ...or seeing some interesting art...

 ...or just a bunch of legs...

... Outside Lands rocked it!

See more of my pix from #OutsideLands on Instagram.