Author Archives: untouchedtcphotos

The Old AT&T Park

30 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in AT&T Park, Oracle Park, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants

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Here are some photographs of AT&T Park from 3 different games.

As is my practice, I arrived early and roamed about the stadium looking for different views of the stadium.

I love going to the top and shooting the entire stadium! It is nice to see the view down to the Bay and the entirety of the ballpark.

I also shot from the left side from the bleacher area.

You can see this is the old scoreboard at AT&T Park. I am going to the SF Giants Home Opening Day on April 5, 2019. I will be shooting the new scoreboard which is 3 times larger than this old one.

I am looking forward to seeing this new scoreboard! Bigger will be better.

The view from the top will be the same. But with the bigger scoreboard, it will be easier to see from the top of the stadium.

Stay tuned to see my photos from the new Oracle Park! Hopefully the new name will eventually grow on me.

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Where can we find a Candlestick Park Chair?

29 Friday Mar 2019

Posted by in AT&T Park, Candlestick Park, Oracle Park, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants

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Do you wonder where did all the Candlestick Park Chairs go after the demolition?

We know some fortunate fans who bought chairs to keep as mementos. They are available for sale from $599.99 to $689.99 for a pair.

But if you do not want to invest to purchase or you do not have space for the chairs, we found the chairs at AT&T Park (Oracle Park) last year. They were located at the back north east corner behind the center field scoreboard. Chairs from 19 to 22 from row W are available for sitting and dreaming that you are back at Candlestick Park.

These chairs show their age. But they are still strong enough to endure all the fans who still need to try out these old chairs.

I plan to go to Oracle Park for the San Francisco Giants Home Opening Day game on April 5, 2019. I will be sure to check if the chairs are still there. I hope the new park’s management did not remove the chairs.

I’m glad even though these chairs may be scratched up and aged, they are still functional and can remind us of our past sitting at Candlestick Park. We need mementos to remind us how we grew up at Candlestick Park watching the SF Giants win and lose. We spent precious moments with our families and friends. These chairs remind us to continue to make time to sit with our loved ones and watch the SF Giants or the 49ers. The games are great excuse for us to be with those who are important to us.

If you want to remember the chairs when they glowed in the sun, please hit the link below to see other photos of Candlestick Park chairs.

Candlestick Park Chair Photos

What is Real?

28 Thursday Mar 2019

Posted by in Candlestick Park, Fall Foliage

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Why untouchedtcphotos? Why did I choose such a long name for our domain and business?

Once upon a time, I was searching for a major and college to attend. Academics did not come easily for me. I did not think I excelled in any subject.

I attended the College of San Mateo to do my undergraduate studies. When I went to visit China with my grandparents and relatives, I started taking photographs. It was fun and I tried to take as many photos I could though I was limited by the number rolls of film I had.

At the College of San Mateo, I had some great instructors – who taught me a lot. It was a turning point for me. I decided to enroll in the Academy of Art to get a degree in Fine Art Photography.

I also found a place where I could spend endless hours taking photos — Candlestick Park. You may have noticed my display of Candlestick Park photos on my blog.

But why “untouched”. Well we live in a world where it is hard to discern what is real and true. Are our news broadcasts projecting truth? What is the real color of someone’s hair? Do we even understand what is true in our individual circumstances. I think often we can be blind to our problems and short comings. We prefer to be the camel with our head in the sand.

I would like to show photos which are real. The color is as true as the quality of the camera and lens. I do not wish to “brighten” or “enhance” the pictures. I do remove the dust marks from my scanned Candlestick Park photos. I hope my skills as a photographer will improve to show you images which are true to the moment in time I shot the pictures.

This is a challenge for each of us to be genuine and real. Let’s not put up a false facade. Can we be transparent? Can we be “real”?

By the way, the “tc” in the domain name is for “Tony Chan”. I think the “photos” part of the name is obvious.

Let’s be real!

Candlestick Park Opening Day – Part 3

16 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Candlestick Park, Opening Day, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants

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This is the 3rd post of the SF Giants Opening Day in 1993 at Candlestick Park.  I gathered my photographs of this day at the request of a fan who was at this game and also in the pre-game parade. 

You may wonder how I could have shot so many photographs of this day or of Candlestick Park. 

Why is Candlestick Park so special? For me it represents the beginning of finding my passion in finding art at this baseball stadium. I grew up at the Stick watching the Giants play ball. It was a great place to be with family and friends while enjoying baseball. It was easily accessible. We did not have to spend lots of money to have a good time. 

For many fans, Candlestick Park was a special place where they grew up. It was a place where dads and moms took their sons and daughters to watch the SF Giants and explained the game of baseball.  The Stick was the location for family gatherings to share their love of baseball.  Friends gathered together and spent quality time together.

For many old SF Giants fans, Candlestick Park brought together families and friends to build stronger bonds and spend quality time together. 

Even though the Stick is gone, the memories hopefully can be remembered when we review these photographs.

More Candlestick Park Opening Day, April 12, 1993

09 Saturday Mar 2019

Posted by in Candlestick Park, Opening Day, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants

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Here are more photographs from Opening Day at Candlestick Park in 1993.

You can see I got there pretty early before the game, since there are a few pictures where there are lots of empty seats. I get into my “groove” of shooting photographs when the stadium was empty, and I could freely roam to take different views of the park.

It was easy access to go to any SF Giants game, since tickets were inexpensive. Therefore, I could spend hours enjoying all the different perspectives of the stadium.

It is amazing how so many fans in the Bay Area have special memories and place in their heart for this old former stadium.

One fan has special memories of this particular opening day. So I am posting more photographs of this day. I still have more so stay tuned. Good memories are important to keep and cherish. What are your special Candlestick Park memories?

 

Candlestick Park Opening Day, April 12, 1993

03 Sunday Mar 2019

Posted by in Candlestick Park, Opening Day, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants

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Everybody loves a parade. This was a parade of famous SF Giants retired players. They rode in classic, antique, and a motorized cable cars. So who were the players in this parade?

Well there was Willie Mays, Vida Blue, Mike Sadek, Ed Halicki, John – The Count – Montefusco, and others. These are the names I photographed on the scoreboard.

The Grateful Dead sang the national anthem before the game began. I captured their name posted on the scoreboard.

This 1993 Home Opener game was against the Florida Marlins where the SF Giants won 4-3.

I took these photographs early before the game started. It’s too bad more fans did not come earlier to see the festivities. I am so glad I was able to capture this memorable time watching these great SF Giants players celebrate this first home game of the season.

I went thru my photographs to group together these opening day photos from 1993 upon a request of someone who was actually in this opening day parade.

It would be great to hear other fan’s memories about this event and game. I would appreciate to hear from others who attended this game to share their memories. I so glad I have these photos to remind me of this exciting parade and opening day. I know if I did not have these photographs I would have forgotten many of these details.

Keep preserving your life memories with photographs.

By the way, I will be posting my black and white photographs from this opening day in another blog post.

Being up close at Candlestick Park

21 Thursday Feb 2019

Posted by in Baseball, Candlestick Park, Former Home of the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants

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I shot this photograph down the first base line in the front row. I normally did not sit this close. But since I would arrive early before the Giants played, I could roam around the different seating areas.

It is interesting to note there is a camera pointing at the SF Giants catcher – Terry Kennedy. The Giants played the San Diego Padres on this Monday night game on April 22, 1991.

I loved to arrive early to watch all the activities before the game began.

Sitting in the front row does give a great view of the game. But with the ideal view, there was also some danger. In those days, there were no safety nets in the front of these field level box seats. So fans had to pay close attention to every pitch in case a screaming line drive foul ball came your way. You really needed to bring a baseball mitt to protect yourself and hopefully catch the ball.

I am really thankful there are safety nets at Oracle Park now. These baseballs can go over 100 mph. As a fan, it is difficult to catch these fast balls even if they have a baseball mitt. Also if a baseball approaches, it is tricky to anticipate how to catch since often the ball will be flying on a curve. It could also ricochet off something.

How many times in life do we get hit by an unexpected curve ball. We all need a safety net to protect and help us. I know for me my safety net has been my God who actually did protect me at Candlestick Park. But that’s another story which you can find in this blog. Make sure you have a safety net to protect you.

Link to my blog story of protection at Candlestick Park

Exploring the Outer Rim at Candlestick Park in the Upper Deck

16 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by in Baseball, Candlestick Park, Former Home of the San Francisco Giants, Photography, San Francisco Giants, SF Giants

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  • The view from Section 59 in the Upper Deck which is the furthest away from home plate.
  • You get a nice view of San Bruno Mountain off in the distance behind Candlestick Park.
  • Dave Dravecky Day at Candlestick Park on 10/5/91. SF Giants defeated LA Dodgers 4-0 with Trevor Wilson getting the win and Mike Morgan taking the loss.
  • These seats are usually empty for most games as they are very far away from home plate.
  • Enjoying the sunset and view of the hill at Bayview Park from Section 60.
  • These seats are just below the Football Press Box down the Left Field line.
  • Welcome to Section 5 behind Home Plate in the Upper Deck.
  • These seats are behind Home Plate in the Upper Deck.
  • These seats are at the top of Candlestick and as far away from Home Plate as you can get.
  • A view from the outer rim way far away.
  • Welcome to Section 55 in the Upper Deck beyond Left Field.
  • Welcome to Section 15 down the 1st Base Line in the Upper Deck with the setting sun.
  • Welcome to Section 3 in the Upper Deck behind Home Plate.
  • These seats are at the top of Candlestick Park behind Home Plate in the upper deck.

These are various photographs of the upper rim of Candlestick Park. As I was browsing my various Candlestick Park photos, I realized I had some interesting perspectives of the top row.

I was roaming around the top row of seats at the stadium and took these pictures from different locations. I enjoyed my solitude as I moved quickly around the seats trying to shoot as many pictures as I could. I was limited, since this was before digital cameras, and I was using film.

I loved being on the top row since the view was fantastic. You could see San Bruno Mountain and the hill in Bay View Park behind the football press box. Also I enjoyed looking down to see the field and the lower rows of seats.

My one regret for these photos is that I did not have an ultra wide angle lens. I used a 28 mm wide angle lens. If I had an ultra wide angle lens, then I could have taken more of the stadium in one shot. In my first shot, I would have been able to get the full stadium with a wider angle lens. My shots above were cut off due to the limitation of my wide angle lens.

But I did not know that one day Candlestick Park would be demolished. The lesson I learned is to make sure to take lots of photographs of places and people you love. Life is like a vapor and people, things, and places change or are gone. So take lots of pictures to keep the important moments. I’m glad I preserved Candlestick Park in my photographs.

Who was the biggest Free Agent to sign with the SF Giants?

08 Friday Feb 2019

Posted by in 49ers, AT&T Park, Baseball, Candlestick Park, Football, Former home of the San Francisco 49'ers, Former Home of the San Francisco Giants, niners, Pacific Bell Park, San Francisco 49'ers, San Francisco Giants, sf 49'ers, SF Giants

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The answer is one of baseball’s all time great, Barry Bonds. I took this photograph at Pacific Bell Park during Fuji Photo Day.

Barry Bonds signed with the Giants in 1992. The Giants were still playing at Candlestick Park. He was playing with the Pittsburg Pirates before becoming a free agent. He was the most sought after free agent available in 1992. He signed a record 6 year $43.75 million deal. The deal was orchestrated by Peter Magowan. He became the highest-paid player in baseball history. Barry Bonds played for the Giants for 15 years.

Barry Bonds played left field at Candlestick Park. Al Michaels, the ABC broadcaster for Monday night football, stated left field at Candlestick Park was one of the most expensive piece of real estate in any sports stadium during a 49’ers game in 1992. Al was referencing the large contract paid to Barry Bonds who would play in left field (the north end zone) of Candlestick Park for the 1993 season.

Here’s info about Barry Bond’s deal with the Giants

I was thinking about the Barry Bonds deal as the Giants are contemplating signing huge free agent Bryce Harper. Let’s see where Bryce Harper signs.

What Lights and Sounds do you Remember from Candlestick Park?

03 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by in Baseball, Candlestick Park, Former home of the San Francisco 49'ers, Former Home of the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49'ers, San Francisco Giants, sf 49'ers, SF Giants

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  • SF Giants Night Baseball Game
  • Game 4 of the NLCS game with SF Giants vs the Cubs on 10/8/89 at Candlestick Park
  • SF Giants vs Montreal Expos on 5/20/88 taken from Left Field General Admission area
  • SF Giants vs Montreal Expos on 5/20/88 taken from the Upper Deck
  • Demolition of Candlestick Park in 2015 with Stadium Lights behind the fence
  • Stadium Lights taken down from the towers sitting in the parking lot
  • Zoomed in Photographs of the Stadium Lights

I remember going to SF Giants night games and being impressed by the bright stadium lights that turn the darkness into the light of day to a certain extent at Candlestick Park. When I arrived early before the game started and before the crowd and stadium music were in full affect, I could hear the buzzing sounds created by the stadium lights. It was a pretty cool sound. It was not too loud, but was noticeable. The buzzing sound of the bright lights is one of my significant good memories of Candlestick Park.

I am not sure how many fans noticed this sound from the bright lights. During a game, you could not notice this sound because of the cheering crowds and the stadium music.

I love the photograph with all these old lights group together behind the gate. I spotted these lights as Candlestick Park was being demolished. I wish I knew if they kept these lights in storage or were they all disposed.

Why did I love this buzzing noise of the lights? As a photographer, I have always enjoyed lights. I photographed images from night lights throughout the city for a college project. I am a stickler for having enough lights throughout our home. I guess I associate the buzzing with the brilliance and spotlight effect of these lights. It reminds me these lights were powerful and could show us the details of the evening games.

Bright lights reveal what is going on in the darkness. The right lighting makes all the difference in a good or bad photo. We need more light in our life to see more clearly our weaknesses and to reveal how we can do things better. I would like to hear that buzzing again to signify the revealing lights are on again. What sound would you like to hear to remind you of a significant part of you life?