Union Square Menorah Lighting

I love photographing the annual Union Square Menorah lighting, commemorating the first night of Hanukkah.
The ceremony starts with the lighting of a large torch by Rabbi Yosef Langer which he brings around the crowd and lets everyone touch...
...although some don't want to get to close...
...and the Rabbi shows he can dance as well.
From there they climb the staircase behind the large menorah.
And from there its lighting the first candle.

As the crowd below watches.
At the end, the Rabbi gives his wishes and the celebration begins. If you happen to be in downtown San Francisco the next several days, there will be a nightly lighting ceremony for the remaining days of Hanukkah. Its an experience to remember!

You can view more of my photos in this SF Gate Photo Gallery

Giants Fans Celebrate the World Series Win

After 56 years, and never in San Francisco, Giants fans have waited to celebrate winning the World Series. All those years of pent up frustration burst out last night on the streets of San Francisco. It was insane...
Earlier fans by the thousands watched the game at the Civic Center
Fans were hoping for a celebration...
And when Edgar Renteria scored a 3-run home run it looked like the party was about to start.
At the end people were streaming around honking horns and hi-fiving..
Samba bands appeared out of nowhere...
And the party began..
Some San Francisans had to work and couldn't join the party...

A group of around 1000 fans marched from 5th and Market...

And celebrated on the steps of the old Mint at 5th and Mission.

Making their way to AT&T Park jumping on any car in the way...

Even if it was a police car.
And lit and jumped through bonfires at 3rd and King St.

Firefighters doused some of the bonfires.
And the party just kept going and going. Congrats Giants for an amazing run and bringing the party back to SF. Can't wait for the celebration parade on Wednesday!

Marin County Triathlon

One of my favorite yearly events to photograph for the Marin IJ is the Marin County Triathlon...
I am always amazed what people go through to compete in the race...
After the brutal 1.5 km swim there is a 22 mile bike ride...
22 miles...
At least it always helps to have a supporters section cheering you on.
Then at the end an "easy" 6.2 mile run...
Up...
and down hills to the finish line...
Where you raise your hands in triumph.
And celebrate with your loved ones. To see all my photos from the day click on the slideshow in the Marin IJ article .

Giants Fans Celebrate Game 1 Win in Marin

I was on assignment for the Marin IJ shooting fans reactions for Game 1 of the World Series.At the beginning of the game it looked like I was going to be taking a lot of photos of unhappy and worried Giants fans...
And I was also taking photos of how well sports bars were doing cause of the Giant's run...
But in the end after a wild and crazy game the Giants fans were able to celebrate a game 1 win. A good start, but only a start.

First rain of the season

I was covering the Tiburon Mile for the Marin IJ on Sunday (will post that tomorrow) when the first significant rainfall of the wet season happened on Sunday. So I went into weather feature mode.
Trying to stay dry I walked around downtown Sausalito snapping shots.
And got to take in the view of the bay as well. It was nice to have rain here but I do hope there is one more warm spell before the rain sets in for good!

Mill Valley Film Festival and Giants Game in One Night

Thursday nights was one of those nights that makes me love being a photojournalist: mixing up photographing film stars and than catching the end of the Giants vs. Braves opening playoff game.

I was assigned by the Marin IJ to photograph the opening night of the Mill Valley Film Festival. The opening night was sponsored by Wells Fargo so the director of the festival and the mayor of Mill Valley were given a ride by stagecoach to the Sequoia theater for the opening.
Sam Rockwell was the featured Hollywood star at the opening night of the film festival. Here he poses with Pamela Gray, the screenwriter for "Conviction," which Rockwell stars in. The Marin IJ story is here.

After talking to the media I took photos of Rockwell talking with Bob Weir, from Greatful Dead fame, and his daughter talking about acting and baseball. Weir was excited about the Giants game, as was I...
(and no its not Weir at the film festival and the game) ...so after filing my photos into the paper for the deadline, I took advantage of my media credential to get to AT&T Park for the last inning of Tim Lincecum's amazing performance in game 1 of the NLDS playoffs. I love photographing fans of all sports, in case you didn't know.
Fans of all generations were waving their orange rally towels, and I camped out in the left-field bleachers were some of the most hardcore Giants fans are.
The fans celebrated Lincecum's celebration.
And the fans texted all their friends after the game to tell them about their experiences. A fun night of shooting!!!