Editor in Northern California. Interested in tiny things, nineties nostalgia, old jungle mixtapes, punctuation, and my cats. Not to be fed after midnight.
Home, Instagrammed: San Francisco Through an iPhone Lens
All the images below were taken with an iPhone 4s and originally published on my Instagram account between 2011 and 2012: @cherilucasrowlands
Bay Bridge via Embarcadero.Grant Street, Chinatown.Golden Gate Bridge. Between Crissy Field and Fort Point.Herakut Mural, Polk and Hemlock. Dolores Park. Fort Point.Anchor Steam Brewery.Embarcadero meets South Beach. AT&T Park.Hayes Valley.Cartoon Museum, SOMA.Bay Bridge via Embarcadero. Marlowe Restaurant, Townsend Street, Mission Bay.McCovey Cove.Rickhouse, Financial District.Embarcadero.San Francisco via Treasure Island. South Beach.Vesuvio, North Beach.Yerba Buena Gardens. Yerba Buena Gardens.View from Twin Peaks. Valencia Street.SOMA. Musee Mecanique, Fisherman’s Wharf.Union Square.How Weird Street Faire, SOMA.Embarcadero.City Hall. Caledonia Street. AT&T Park.Market Street.Chinatown.City Lights Bookstore, North Beach. Clarion Alley. Hayes Valley.How Weird Street Faire, SOMA.Lucky 13.Precita Center, Bernal Heights. Mission District.
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79 thoughts on “Home, Instagrammed: San Francisco Through an iPhone Lens”
Reblogged this on closetoeighty and commented:
Last two weeks I had surgeries on both eyes to improve vision.
Then I had to put a lot of drops in each eye to heal them ASAP. Currently I see everything through the fog. However, even now it is clear that this is an excellent blog, Thank you for it, Cheri.
Wow, beautiful photos. Reminds me how much I love this city, even though it’s been almost ten years since I visited. Never before in my life had I seen so many smiley people. I so hope I get to go back one day.
Wonderful series of photographs. Looking through them this city does feel like your “home,” because there is a sense of intimacy and a familiarity that seems born of a long relationship with a place, rather than that of a tourist just breezing through and capturing the surface. While you may often be thinking of being elsewhere, I am sure that when you get there a piece of you will then be thinking about here. Happy travels and good luck with your photography classes when you take them. If this is what you can do without study, I’m sure your later images will be beyond belief.
It was because I recognized your name from those Trazzler days that I stopped at your blog, and was able to enjoy your photographs. All is well, and I hope you are making it out to enjoy this sunshine today. It’s warmer than summertime, Karl the Fog must be on vacation.
Ahhh!! Though wanderlust is grand and I have been abroad for a number of years, photos of San Francisco always make me homesick. Thanks for these, I’m a bit sad, but in that really good way 🙂 Thanks for following!
*sigh* I miss San Francisco. I just spent 4 days there this summer visiting a friend. We packed it all in and saw a lot of what you photographed. Our trip ended with food & drinks at Red’s Java House and a Giants/Dodgers game. Such a cool city!
This is a beautiful introduction to what looks like a beautiful city. I love the pictures of murals/graffitti. I think you have captured a spirit of the city here, I feel some writing coming on based on one or more of your photos…
God, makes me think the iPhone isn’t a waste.
Now Im Jealous (;
Love the street photos, you make what some people think of as dirty seem like art that should be in a priceless collection.
And all this with a phone, extra kudos.
What a fabulous tour and now I am missing SF all over again – I have spent enough time there to torture myself with the game that has me wondering which part of SF I would most like to live in. Thank you lucky you!
Stunning photography, Cheri. I’ve not been to San Fran although my sis has and says it’s beautiful. Hope I get to visit one day and I’ll have to bookmark this post so I can be sure and see some of these lovely sites. Thank you.
Absolutely loved Yerba Buena Gardens and Marlowe Restaurant, China Basin. The Gardens seemed like a great place to just relax and breathe in fresh air. The restaurant’s quotes are fantastic. I’m glad to see Kurt Vonnegut up there. Thanks for posting!
Thanks, Toddy — glad you enjoyed this series of shots. Yerba Buena is a fun place, smack in the middle of downtown. It’s mellow when there’s nothing going on, which I like, and can be really lively when festivals and events are set up there. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
What beautiful images! When I first saw San Francisco, I thought it was the only place I’d ever visited that felt just like walking into photograph. Will never forget the fog rolling in from the ocean. Thanks so much for bringing me here and for following my blog. I’ll be following yours!
Yes! I still want/need to take a class — I have so little technical experience. I’d like to learn about lighting and action shots in particular so I can put my Canon and Nikon to better use. Once I have some free time in my schedule, I will.
Hey — thanks, Alice! I’d once considered slapping together a small square photo book specifically of my Instagram shots — thanks for the reminder/inspiration.
Is Tommy’s Joint still there, somewhere, travelled all the way there from England to be recommended a beer that’s made where I worked – taste the iron in that situation eh?
I’d go back to San Francisco in a heart beat for its fine street art. I’m so obsessed with it! I do the same Instagram posts on my blog of my city. As much as wanderlust gets to me, I sometimes forget I live in one of the best cities out there!
I had to smile throughout this post. Drat for this awful grass-is-always-greener-on-the-other-side-syndrome! I’ve been focusing on getting away from where I live and your pictures are just one more thing tugging at my heart now and tickling my feet to start wandering off again. Yet for you, being in SF is normal. So maybe I should pay more attention to the things I take for granted that are around me and that someone else might be yearning for…?
I often dream about living in different places for periods of time, and in fact am trying to figure things out so this is possible in the near future. Yes, I take San Francisco for granted, all the time. I really must remind myself that I’m lucky to be here. Totally the “grass is always greener” syndrome…
Thanks, Eugene. I like that one as well because it includes/focuses on something else other than the bridge. I love the more iconic shots of the GG, but in photographs I also like to see what else is around it.
Hey there — always nice to see your avatar here 🙂 I think SF is a genuinely photogenic city — even the gritty parts photograph nicely, if that makes sense!
Reblogged this on closetoeighty and commented:
Last two weeks I had surgeries on both eyes to improve vision.
Then I had to put a lot of drops in each eye to heal them ASAP. Currently I see everything through the fog. However, even now it is clear that this is an excellent blog, Thank you for it, Cheri.
Wow, beautiful photos. Reminds me how much I love this city, even though it’s been almost ten years since I visited. Never before in my life had I seen so many smiley people. I so hope I get to go back one day.
Wonderful collection of photos from “the city,” my home town.
Wonderful series of photographs. Looking through them this city does feel like your “home,” because there is a sense of intimacy and a familiarity that seems born of a long relationship with a place, rather than that of a tourist just breezing through and capturing the surface. While you may often be thinking of being elsewhere, I am sure that when you get there a piece of you will then be thinking about here. Happy travels and good luck with your photography classes when you take them. If this is what you can do without study, I’m sure your later images will be beyond belief.
Thanks, Galen. And I so remember your name from the days of Trazzler — thanks for visiting here and hope all’s well!
It was because I recognized your name from those Trazzler days that I stopped at your blog, and was able to enjoy your photographs. All is well, and I hope you are making it out to enjoy this sunshine today. It’s warmer than summertime, Karl the Fog must be on vacation.
I’ve been on holiday the past 3 months, dropping by once every few weeks to check my mail. I’ll be back soon to stay.
Ahhh!! Though wanderlust is grand and I have been abroad for a number of years, photos of San Francisco always make me homesick. Thanks for these, I’m a bit sad, but in that really good way 🙂 Thanks for following!
*sigh* I miss San Francisco. I just spent 4 days there this summer visiting a friend. We packed it all in and saw a lot of what you photographed. Our trip ended with food & drinks at Red’s Java House and a Giants/Dodgers game. Such a cool city!
Fab shots, thanks (and I NEVER use the word fab!)
G
This is a beautiful introduction to what looks like a beautiful city. I love the pictures of murals/graffitti. I think you have captured a spirit of the city here, I feel some writing coming on based on one or more of your photos…
Love this view of my city!
I’ve always wanted to be in San Francisco, and hopefully someday I will be. Thank you for the beautiful photographs 🙂
amazing
beautiful.
Awesome! It is my favourite city and you did it justice, such great pics. My favourite is the Golden Gate photo. Fantastic!
God, makes me think the iPhone isn’t a waste.
Now Im Jealous (;
Love the street photos, you make what some people think of as dirty seem like art that should be in a priceless collection.
And all this with a phone, extra kudos.
Wow. Thanks!
Awesome photo you got here! Kinda gives a vintage effect.
What a fabulous tour and now I am missing SF all over again – I have spent enough time there to torture myself with the game that has me wondering which part of SF I would most like to live in. Thank you lucky you!
Way fun visit to my birthplace! Thanks. Go Giants! 🙂
RPRT Photo
Yes, yes, yes. Giants all the way 🙂
Love your photography, beautiful post! It’s one place I would like to visit someday!
Stunning photography, Cheri. I’ve not been to San Fran although my sis has and says it’s beautiful. Hope I get to visit one day and I’ll have to bookmark this post so I can be sure and see some of these lovely sites. Thank you.
So glad you liked these shots, Brigitte. You certainly should pay a visit to this city.
iPhone shots? Fantastic! Amazing… I need an iPhone! 🙂
I love San Francisco and these are some beautiful photos. <3
As I’m in the middle of teaching my students about photo essays, I plan on sharing your post with them…good stuff!
Awesome! Flattered that this will be used as an example.
Great photos! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
This post makes my heart ache for San Francisco. Your photographs are captivating and beautiful. Thanks for sharing your gift!
Great photos! 🙂
I drove there once!
I got insanely lost!
Beautiful.
Wow your photos are absolutely beautiful!
Wonderful photos! Love your use of perspective.
Loved this! I wanted to time-warp myself to each place!
love the third photo – but so many are so good!! I don’t know where ‘home’ is either but I know I’m not there…and I want to be.
Awesome pics really in depth!
Absolutely loved Yerba Buena Gardens and Marlowe Restaurant, China Basin. The Gardens seemed like a great place to just relax and breathe in fresh air. The restaurant’s quotes are fantastic. I’m glad to see Kurt Vonnegut up there. Thanks for posting!
Thanks, Toddy — glad you enjoyed this series of shots. Yerba Buena is a fun place, smack in the middle of downtown. It’s mellow when there’s nothing going on, which I like, and can be really lively when festivals and events are set up there. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Thank you for sharing these! I’ve only been to SF once but I really loved it and have always wanted to go back and see more.
I just came back from SF this morning! And did just that: Instagram my trip away.
I’ve never been to SF, so thank you for showing it to me 🙂 – I really identified with what you wrote above, about home. And yes…things are fine.
What beautiful images! When I first saw San Francisco, I thought it was the only place I’d ever visited that felt just like walking into photograph. Will never forget the fog rolling in from the ocean. Thanks so much for bringing me here and for following my blog. I’ll be following yours!
Thanks for stopping by. And no, you’ll never forget our fog (which I’ve interviewed!): http://writingthroughthefog.com/2012/04/02/a-qa-with-karl-the-fog-san-franciscos-elusive-landmark/
🙂
Did you say you needed to take a photography class??? Beautiful photos …
Yes! I still want/need to take a class — I have so little technical experience. I’d like to learn about lighting and action shots in particular so I can put my Canon and Nikon to better use. Once I have some free time in my schedule, I will.
Wow–that could be a book. Love the bridge in the fog–the worn paint. and the T-shirts. and well, all of it.
Hey — thanks, Alice! I’d once considered slapping together a small square photo book specifically of my Instagram shots — thanks for the reminder/inspiration.
these are so supremely beautiful and made me so supremely homesick.
Aw, thanks for the comment (but sorry it’s made you homesick!).
Is Tommy’s Joint still there, somewhere, travelled all the way there from England to be recommended a beer that’s made where I worked – taste the iron in that situation eh?
I believe it is still here, on the busy corner of Van Ness/Geary!
I’d go back to San Francisco in a heart beat for its fine street art. I’m so obsessed with it! I do the same Instagram posts on my blog of my city. As much as wanderlust gets to me, I sometimes forget I live in one of the best cities out there!
Absolutely lovely photos – I love and miss San Francisco!
Just shared with a friend currently looking into a job opportunity in San Fran. After seeing these incredible images, she’d be crazy not to take it! 😉
I had to smile throughout this post. Drat for this awful grass-is-always-greener-on-the-other-side-syndrome! I’ve been focusing on getting away from where I live and your pictures are just one more thing tugging at my heart now and tickling my feet to start wandering off again. Yet for you, being in SF is normal. So maybe I should pay more attention to the things I take for granted that are around me and that someone else might be yearning for…?
I often dream about living in different places for periods of time, and in fact am trying to figure things out so this is possible in the near future. Yes, I take San Francisco for granted, all the time. I really must remind myself that I’m lucky to be here. Totally the “grass is always greener” syndrome…
Dang, Cheri, totally evocative shots. Subtle and poetic. Love this town!
I love it, too! Glad you like ’em, Nico, and thanks for sharing on Twitter.
You made me lonely for it. I must come and spend some time soon.
Yes, please do. Our true summer is approaching, so it’d be a nice time 🙂
Beautiful photos Cheri.. Excellent choice of filters and lovely composition..
Thanks, Ashok, for this note on filters and composition (and for the @reply on Twitter, too).
Great photo series, Cheri. My favourite is “Golden Gate Bridge. Between Crissy Field and Fort Point.”
Thanks, Eugene. I like that one as well because it includes/focuses on something else other than the bridge. I love the more iconic shots of the GG, but in photographs I also like to see what else is around it.
These are beautiful shots! I’ve always wanted to visit San Francisco, but this seals the deal.
Awesome — glad I helped sway your decision!
I absolutely love these photos, thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks. Amazing!!!
Really nice pictures! I wonder if everyone in SF is a good photographer, or if SF is just a really photogenic city.
Hey there — always nice to see your avatar here 🙂 I think SF is a genuinely photogenic city — even the gritty parts photograph nicely, if that makes sense!
SF is definitely my favourite city and you really captured it! Awesome… 🙂
Hooray! Thanks for visiting.