At the Presidio Memorial Day Celebration and parade. Stupid me in that I didn’t get his name. Hopefully next year.

Manong Nestor Palma at a recent anti-immigration protest in San Francisco.

I’m pissed.

Actually I’m livid with anger that Filipino World War II Veterans are still out in the streets protesting for something they should have received 50+ years ago. The endless delays, stalling tactics and blame game will never end for these veterans. On June 5th, veterans were again denied their benefits when the United States Government required them to prove eligibility with records that no longer exist. Imagine that.

They are slowly dying and my fear is that this is their plan.

There has to be another way to prove their eligibility as I do understand the need for oversight. I’m calling out President Obama, Democrats, Republicans and all citizens in this horrific injustice. It’s a travesty and if you care for our veterans you should be livid as well. Please contact President Obama, your local, state and federal leaders to put more pressure on them to solve this.

Leica Minilux with Kodak Pro 100 color film.

Rebus Project opening party at Radius in SOMA. Displaying works by Geoffrey Colburn, JD Maturen, Al McKee, Jasper Sanidad, Joseph Szymanski, Kevin Zamani and me.

The Rebus Project is a collective portrait of San Francisco assembled over a 30-month period by photographers and writers who live in the city. Conceived by Jasper Sanidad and hammered out over beers and shots with five other founding contributors at The Tempest Bar and Restaurant on Natoma Street, Rebus is a multi-dimensional urban documentary with the aim of defining San Francisco beyond its accepted pop-culture parameters.

Join us for art, booze, beer and revelry. Bring your friends, family, enemies, lovers and yeah we’ll even let those damn Celtic fans in. All are welcome, the more the merrier…

Saturday, June 12th / Radius SF – 1123 Folsom Street at 7th
6:00pm – 12:00am

For more information about the project and the fantastic photographers & writers involved, please hit up our website.

The signing of Arizona’s law SB 1070 on April 23, 2010 sparked protest throughout the country. On May 1st protests were staged in San Francisco’s Civic Center against the controversial law.

Leica M6 and Arista Pro 50 developed in Diafine.

Copandaro de Jímenez Michoacán with a Leica M6 and Kodak Portra 160NC.

I was intrigued when I saw the blazing fire coming from the farm fields. Apparently it’s a common occurrence as fire or controlled burning is used to easily clear the field infested with insects or in this case weeds. After burning, the secondary advantage is that the burn provides nutrients to the soil. This senorita and her dog were simply watching the fire from a distance.

I, along with some of my friends will be in an exhibit at the Cigar Bar & Grill in San Francisco. Hope you can make it to the opening on Tuesday, April 6 from 7-10pm.

Photograph and flyer by Matt Kuebrich.

Has it really been 5 years since I started this thing?

Yeah it has and the photograph above started it all. It’s been a fun ride but I think it’s time to take a break. I’ll post if I have something to share but the daily blogging will be over permanently. I’ve learned a ton, met fantastic new friends, shot a ton of frames all due to the motivation of Alapan to go out into the streets and take photographs.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and you’ll hear from me again. I’ve gone full circle.

John

Holga with Fuji 400H color film.

The series, including the one I already posted are currently hanging at the Eye Hazardous Area gallery. All are from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Leica M6 and Kodak Ektar 100. Funny I had originally thought this was Fuji 800 film but looking at my notes it’s Ektar. Given that’s it’s in a somewhat dark church I’m glad it came out but it is a bit underexposed.

This photograph is currently hanging at the Eye Hazardous Area gallery owned by my friend Bill who has “salons” every few months to feature several photographers.