Tag Archives: San Francisco

Alone at Candlestick Park

24 Friday Jan 2020

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

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I enjoyed my solitude at Candlestick Park. I arrived a couple of hours before the SF Giants would play ball and go exploring. I probably explored every nook and cranny at the Stick. There is not a single person in this photograph.

Solitude allowed me to examine the architecture and design of this great sports stadium. I would walk up and down each row. I would climb to the top and make my way down. It’s too bad digital cameras did not exist at this time. If I had a digital camera, I would have shot even more pictures.

We all need some time to examine without distractions. I would roam around the stadium searching for interesting shots. I found my creativity and love for stadium art. I applied my lessons from art college about photography as I was shooting. This was my time of discovery to find out my identity as a photographer.

In these quiet moments, I concentrated to shoot Candlestick Park with a different perspective than an ordinary sports arena. It was my goal to present Candlestick Park from all angles and to “show it off”. My photography marked my beginnings as a photographer. I was in my “happy place” when I was shooting photos at the Stick.

When I shot photos at Candlestick Park, I never thought one day it would be gone. I’m so glad I have these photographs which represent my beginning passions as a photographer.  These photos allow to remember the person I was to compare with the person I am today. It is a reminder of where I was and how I hopefully progressed.

My Lessons learned –

  • Seek your place for solitude to grow and reflect
  • Who am I today versus who was I once upon a time – Look at your old pictures to remind yourself who you were. Hope you can be proud of who you are today.

Photos are good reminders!

 

Picture Perfect Day at Candlestick Park for SF Giants Game

23 Thursday Jan 2020

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

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It was a great game with a full house on Fuji Photo Day at Candlestick Park on Saturday, May 14, 1988. The Giants defeated the Mets 3-2 with Mike Krukow getting the win. The weather was fantastic this day with sunshine and a light breeze.

I took this picture so long ago that there were no digital cameras at the time. I used a Canon 35mm camera and shot with Kodachrome transparency film and scanned it. I am glad the image and colors held up over the years on the 35mm transparency.

Candlestick Park was almost like a another home for me to hang out in. It was the first stadium where I could easily go and watch the SF Giants play ball. I did not have to plan way in advance (as I have to do now) to attend a baseball game. I could just walk up to the stadium and buy a ticket.

Candlestick Park welcomed all of us to be a part of the games whether the SF Giants or the 49ers. We all felt comfortable attending games with our family and friends. Yes, the stadium was not perfect and became a little worn and old looking as time progressed. But it was a place where we could relax and enjoy a sports event.

Did you ever go and visit somebody’s home where you did feel comfortable? Or maybe you encounter new people and they make you uncomfortable for some reason? They could be not very friendly, or their personality does not fit with ours.

It is an amicable trait when you meet someone who is genuinely makes you feel at ease and relaxed. This is a good characteristic we each could strive to have.

How can we make others relaxed and at ease?

  • Be relaxed and don’t exhibit stress
  • Smile so others will smile
  • Ask a few questions but listen more
  • Be genuinely interested and empathic to others

Candlestick Park was a the stadium where we could practice these things with each other while having fun watching baseball or football. It helped us relaxed. It made us smile. It allowed us to talk or be quiet. It allowed us to have a good time with our family and friends.

Can we make others comfortable just as Candlestick Park made us comfortable?

Photos remind us of our old feelings!

Candlestick Park Red Chair Flare

08 Wednesday Jan 2020

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

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This Candlestick Park Red Chairs photograph was shot in the later afternoon before a night game. These chairs are the best memorabilia to remember the Stick! Maybe one day my wife will allow me to own an actual chair. I did buy an orange seat to use as a background for shooting my photo products.

Notice the light flare on the upper right corner. As per 2nd previous post where I mention about most of the time, a photographer will avoid this light flare in a picture. Well this is an example where I wanted the flare to show the light rays over the rows of chairs. The flare also reflects a nice glow on the bright red chairs.

A photograph should show off the best features of the subject. This light accentuates and highlights the good attributes for these chairs at the Stick. The natural flare also gave a great glow to these classic red stadium chairs.

Natural lighting is an important ingredient for a good picture.

My mother-in-law (who is only 99 years old) has a habit of wanting to save money and close the lights. If she gets up in the middle of the night, she will not turn on the light. She already does not have perfect sight, and light will illumine her path to prevent an accident. I have tried to help by putting night and motion lights to help her.

Just like my mother-in-law – we forget how important light is and how much we need it.

Practice shooting pictures with different degrees of natural lighting to see the reflection, flare, and glow in your results.

As always – my photos are not altered via software to give the “glow”.

Get the glow on in your photos!

 

 

SF Giants Opening Night at Candlestick Park Against the LA Dodgers

07 Tuesday Jan 2020

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

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The fans were getting ready for the SF Giants Opening night game on April 15, 1991. This was before the game started as the stadium crew were getting ready for the pregame fireworks show.

It is always fun to attend a SF Giants Opening game. I cannot say I attended an opening game every year. But it is an exciting time to anticipate the beginning of a new season and the possibilities of victory.

This game was particularly exciting since it was against the Dodgers. You can see in the  photo how the seats were filling up with hopeful fans. Unfortunately, the SF Giants did not get a win that night.

Despite the outcome of the game, fans remember the good times they spent together with family and friends watching either baseball or football.

Even though, there were many games when the SF Giants did not do well, somehow we do not talk as much about the defeats. Instead we reminisce about the relationships we built as we spent time together at the Stick.

Candlestick Park taught us the importance of spending time together to create good memories. We get too busy with work, chores, and just life.

Prioritize to find a way to spend time with those you deem important. Don’t allow our excuses to prevent gathering with friends and family. Find a way to build stronger relationships in 2020.

Photos Inspire me to remember my good memories at Candlestick Park!

Destress with Photos!

 

Setting Sun at SF Giants Batting Practice at Candlestick Park

05 Sunday Jan 2020

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

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I arrived early to attend an evening SF Giants Game at Candlestick Park. It was nice to go earlier to watch batting practice in the late afternoon and relax by shooting photos at the Stick.

Notice the late afternoon sun created a flare at the upper portion of this photo. This occurs with sun’s light and reflection from the camera’s lens. We often would want to minimize this effect to not obstruct your photograph. Or you could use this effect to accentuate an aspect of your picture.

I took this photograph about 25 years ago. Today we can buy lenses that can help minimize the sun’s flare in our photographs.

Light is always important when we take pictures. But we need to be aware of the effects of the sun with the surroundings of the picture as well as the reflection from our lenses.

Just as we need good lighting and reduction of flare to get a good clear picture, we need “good lighting” to see ourselves.

I am thankful to celebrate a new year and am looking forward to continuing my quest to achieve my goals. It is hard to look at ourselves to see the reality of our strengths and weaknesses. Reality is sometimes hard to face. We can be blind to our personal reality especially in seeing our weaknesses.

I hope I can get “good lighting” from my personal reflections as well as from family and friends to have a good look at my life’s reality. I hope to reduce the “flare”effect, so I can see reality to improve in 2020!

Here’s wishing you a great 2020! My Candlestick Park photographs have always been a great inspiration to me in so many ways. Hope you can find photos to inspire and reveal reality in your life.

 

Night SF Giants game at Candlestick Park in 1988

13 Friday Dec 2019

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

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The SF Giants played the Montreal Expos (Now the Washington Nationals) in 1988 at Candlestick Park. I took this picture from the back of the lower reserved area behind home plate.

We can see this was not a good year for the SF Giants, since we can see the upper deck and center field seats are empty. Often times there were lots of empty seats during the weeknight games.

Notice also the red glow due to the incandescent lighting over the people in front of me in the photograph.  This lighting accentuates the vintage appearance to this photograph.

The fans who are willing to attend a weeknight game are special and important. It shows their desire to be faithful to their team even when the SF Giants were not performing well. These fans are willing to be an encouragement to the players who are stressed about their ability to score to get a winning game.

It is a good lesson about loyalty to a family, spouse, friend or any association entity group. How faithful are we to stick with someone thru good and bad times. When our relationships get difficult, are we willing to endure and find resolutions to situations. Often times, we prefer an easy way out and leave to avoid difficult times. We need to be available to those who are important to our life. Do your loved ones know they can count on you when they are in need? Do we find ways to serve and help even when we are not asked specifically.

I have been a loyal SF Giants fans since my days of shooting pictures at the Stick. I was depressed in their bad years. I was super excited when they achieved their great triumphs and victories. Their championship wins were even more exciting since I (like many other fans) waited patiently many years.

Whether you are a faithful SF Giants fan like me is not as important as answering the following question — Are you as loyal and faithful to take care of the important people in your life?

Learn Lessons from Pictures!

 

 

 

How to Experience Warriors Bling

30 Sunday Jun 2019

Posted by in Basketball, Chase Center, Chase Center Experience, Dubs, Golden State Warriors, Warriors

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About a week ago, we went to a scheduled appointment for a Warriors ticket sales presentation at the new Chase Center offices.

We were not sure what to expect and or what they would show us.

The Warriors Representative led us to a huge room. We saw a large map of the area to illustrate the means of transportation to be available to get to the new Warrior Stadium. The new venue will also be used for entertainment events. Bart and Muni will be probably be the most popular ways to get to the Chase Center. There will be a shuttle from downtown. Also there will be a ferry that will dock near the stadium. And yes there will be an area for Uber and Lift drivers to drop off folks.

There was a nice display of each of the trophies, pendants and rings from the past victories of the Warriors. Everything was in a case or frame.

It was so nice the representative was able to let us try on the rings. Our friend got the good idea to ask to try on all 3 of the championship rings at one time.  They are pretty big and heavy.  This was a big highlight for us during our visit.

There is also a huge model of the stadium. It provides a good visual aid to see how the seating will be.

After we completed playing and looking at the memorabilia in the big room, we were led to a mock suite room. The room we went to sit in closely resembles the picture in the below link.  After walking past the dining area, there were 3 small rows of comfortable seats. The representative showed us various views of available seats to buy season tickets and the different pricing.

Chase Center Suite

Before we went to the presentation, we had lunch at SF Kabobs. It was a great meal. We ordered the Combo Platter for $22.95 for the 2 of us to share. The lamb, beef and chicken were all delicious. Also if you go in the evening to eat, the parking in the lot is free.

SF Kabab at the UCSF Mission Bay Campus

The Warriors Representative mentioned there will be lots of different restaurants inside and surrounding the new Chase Center. We were already happy eating at SF Kabab before our appointment.

It looks like to buy a regular ticket to attend a Warriors game will not be much difference in price than what we experienced at Oracle. We are looking forward to watching the Warriors at the new Chase Center and eating the good food in the area.

If you have a chance to go for a visit, try on the 3 Warriors Championship Rings at the Chase Center.

 

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.

Pregame Fuji Photo Day at Candlestick Park

06 Thursday Sep 2018

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

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I loved Fuji Photo Day at Candlestick Park on Saturday, May 14, 1988.  Fans were allowed on the field before the game to take pictures of the players and the ballpark.  I loved walking on the pristine and immaculate grass.  I wish I could have preserved a piece of the field to bring home.  Fuji Photo Day was one of my top favorite events at the Stick besides Opening Day and the Post Season games.

Fans were able to get on the field 2 hours before the game.  I wish AT&T Park would have a similar event now.  I would roam around and go crazy shooting photographs.

I do not remember who the gentleman is in this photograph. I really like his SF Giants shirt.  I am not sure if he was an usher.

The SF Giants player in the background is Joe Price.  He played for SF Giants from 1987 to 1989 as a left handed pitcher.   The SF Giants defeated the New York Mets 3-2 with Mike Krukow getting the win and Ron Darling taking the loss.

Just wondering if any other SF Giants fans who visited Candlestick Park also have good memories of the Fuji Photo Day events?  Please share any memories from this event too.  From my interaction on social media, I have heard how fans really treasure the fun moments at Candlestick Park.

 

It Will be Nice when the Saint Francis of Assisi Statue Sees the Light of Day Again

09 Friday Mar 2018

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

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Back Lit Statue of Saint Francis of Assisi was photographed in front of Candlestick Park in the late 1980’s. The steel and concrete statue by Ruth Wakefield Cravath was  moved from the ballpark when it was torn down in 2015. It was put in storage in Oakland and will be refurbished. The new location for installing the statue is to be determined. The statue was installed at Candlestick Park in 1973 after the project to add seats and enclose the stadium for the 49ers.