Raising my game…

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I enjoy to observe and capture my impressions. Most of the time that’s enough.

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Sometimes, however, I long to know more.

What’s the story of that person I couldn’t get my eyes off? What is that place that has intrigued me? Sometimes I catch a fragment of a conversation and I am happy to let my mind play with it.

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Never had I dared to become more active and approach someone directly to ask about themselves or their environment.

Until recently.

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Prompted by an assignment I strolled through the Sunset – a San Francisco district. As I was peeking through the shopping window of a slightly dated premiss, John Wentzel, the owner of this shop for antique radios and TV sets invited me in to take a look at his treasures. And he encouraged questions. I was taken by surprise and asked him about his life as I scribbled down (visual) notes.  What marvelous stories he shared!

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But how to digest that experience ?

The demographic of the Sunset has started to shift in the 1960s from Irish/German to a population of largely Asian descent. Inspired by my chat, I decided to capture my feel of the Sunset by juxtaposing the stories of two neighbouring businesses: John Wentzel’s and the Kings of Noddles’.

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Let me know how you like the visual reportage! It’s a first but  I am considering doing more of that sort. If there are any places, topics or people you find interesting –  let me know.  Or volunteer your story!

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Your visual flaneur