Tag Archives: California

Spine Light Sculpture

Posted on January 30th, 2014 by

Unexpected Art

I found this light sculpture entirely by accident. I had seen Thomas Hawk talk about Spine on his blog but I didn’t expect to see it. Honestly, I didn’t realize it was near Union Square where Pamela and I were staying. We were walking around the area looking for some chocolate dessert when I passed by, stopping dead in my tracks when I realized what I had seen. I had to chase Pamela down as she was half-way up the block by the time everything registered.

Double Unexpected

One of the things I love about this piece was how it is located in a perfectly normal location! People must pass daily under this artistic creation and never suspect it is both art and function. This kind of notion…it makes me smile.

Spine Light Sculpture
Spine Light Sculpture by W. Brian Duncan

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Flowers

Posted on January 23rd, 2014 by

Farmer’s Market

I love a good farmer’s market. When visiting a new place, I often seek them out as you can’t help but get the best food, local crafts and fresh fruits you don’t normally get to try! Plus the people watching is fantastic as you sip a cup of locally grown coffee and nibble of a small sweet treat.

Colorful Flowers

I love flowers, but I have to say I don’t think I have EVER see so many cut flowers in one place as were at the Farmer’s Market in San Francisco. Enjoy the color!

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Flowers
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Flowers by W. Brian Duncan

Moscone Center Skylight

Posted on January 20th, 2014 by

Moscone Center

Pamela and I wandered into the Moscone Center in San Franscisco looking for this exact skylight! Moscone Center is a very big place comprising numerous buildings in and around Yerba Buena in San Francisco. It was funny, because we had been looking at this skylight from the outside as we had lunch several times at Samovar Tea Lounge (located on the roof of this building). The great thing about this location is it is often open!

Moscone Center Skylight
Moscone Center Skylight by W. Brian Duncan

San Francisco Sunrise

Posted on April 15th, 2013 by

Dawn

We looked out the window of our hotel room and were greeted with two amazing sites of contrast. One was the amazing city of San Francisco. It’s a wonder! A city built on the most inhospitable geography. The City has burned, flooded been destroyed by earthquake…it is a wonder of modern construction and civil engineering. The other amazing site was the sunrise. Despite all we have and will do as a people, I am always most struck by the awesome power, majesty and beauty of the natural world. It is these two contrasts, both the natural and the man-made wonder that had me grabbing for my camera.

HDR Photography
San Francisco Sunrise by W. Brian Duncan

Embarcadero Stairs

Posted on April 11th, 2013 by

The Road Ahead

I read a quote recently on the internet that I found uniquely stuck in my head.

The only reason we get stuck in jobs we don’t love is because we choose not to leave.
~Simon Sinek

I belive this extends well past career choices and into almost every facet of life. We tend to externalize our problems, overplay obligations and declare that I can’t because (insert any reason). What occurred to me was the power accepting this notion has as well as the responsibility its acceptance requires. When we realize we are directing this life, it seems all the more important to make it one we want to live. I struggle with choices, but for better or worse they have been and continue to me mine to make.

Stairs

Today’s photo is of the Embarcadero Center Staircase located in Center 2.

HDR Photography
Embarcadero Stairs by W. Brian Duncan

Bridge to the City

Posted on March 11th, 2013 by

Lucky Man

Pamela asked what I wanted to do for my birthday…I said go to San Francisco (of course). Aside from being my favorite U.S. city, it’s perhaps one of most comfortable cities for me, almost like I am called there; pulled by some cosmic force. I am very lucky, because we made the pilgrimage to The City, Pamela and me. Lucky because we are able to make the trip, both physically and financially. Lucky because I have a wonderful spouse that understands my love of wandering and wants to share in it. Lucky because we have each other to go to, Pamela, me and The City by the Bay.

HDR Photography
Bridge to the City by W. Brian Duncan

Sequoia National Forest

Posted on September 18th, 2011 by

Ok…I am Jaded

I admit it, most things don’t really get to me. I have been quite a few places and seen quite a few things and usually my response is…yep, that was neat…where are we having dinner? There are however some things that have blown my socks off. The Sequoia National Forest is one of them. Specifically I visited the Sequoia’s of Kings Canyon. I say visited because there is a real spirit to this place. It is one of the places in the world I have felt life.

Socks Obliterated

Standing in the presence of these beautiful gargantuans is a truly humbling experience. Thinking now, years later, of their majesty makes me misty eyed. The forest if such a complex ecosystem and it is constantly being threatened from all sides by pollution.

Older than Me

These trees are ancient; some estimated to be 2000-3500 years in age. They remind me a one of my favorite lines in Vertigo, with Kim Novak pointing to a ring cross-section of one of the felled trees…”Here I was born, and there I died. It was only a moment for you; you took no notice.”

HDR Photography
Sequoia National Forest by W Brian Duncan

Fisherman’s Wharf of San Francisco

Posted on September 4th, 2011 by

It occurred to me recently that I have a bunch of photos I never do anything with. I have been watching Trey Ratcliff’s HDR class from Stuck in Customs and in it he describes his constant 365 project as well as how he releases all of his photos via Creative Commons Licensing.

I use Creative Commons on a regular basis and while I might not be comfortable releasing my personal photos or art pieces, quite a number of my travel photos are ready to be used and can hopefully be helpful for someone.

Though this is a very touristy photo, I hope you enjoy my first foray into Creative Commons licensing. Enjoy!

HDR Photography
Fisherman’s Wharf of San Francisco by W. Brian Duncan