Dragons and Quotes

FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/300 sec, ISO200)

I have to admit that I don’t know too many big cities in the USA but this one is my favourite  so far – by far.

San Francisco is an amazing place and with our hotel located at Union Square the first walk has to be through Chinatown which is literally next corner.

FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/160 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/100 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/210 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/300 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/100 sec, ISO320)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/9, 1/200 sec, ISO200)

In some cities the Chinatown is rather disappointing. Singapore comes to mind where it’s all about fridge magnets and cheap plastic toys for tourists. There is hardly a chance to take good shots there. And then there is my favourite Chinatown in Bangkok where no matter where you turn there is a great picture waiting for you.

The Chinatown in San Francisco sits right in the middle. Instead of street vendors selling snakes for your dinner you get shops for fridge magnets and other things that only tourists would buy but it still looks great.

I guess most credit goes to the city of San Francisco which is just awesome. With its steep roads, its cable cars and the wonderful contrast in-between old and new, clean and dirty. And Chinatown is not different. Plus there are some very cool murals too.

FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/10, 1/140 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/10, 1/100 sec, ISO250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/10, 1/125 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/3.2, 1/180 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/160 sec, ISO200)

Of course we also went inside a couple of those touristy shops. Where else should be get our fridge magnets or super tiny lucky cats made of porcelain?

I didn’t get the quote I’m holding up and I’m happy to report that my wife also didn’t buy it. It’s still funny though.

FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (27mm, f/5, 1/210 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/210 sec, ISO200)

The two images above are a good examples of the contrast that you can find everywhere in this city. A very fine designed small house or office building just next to a mural and opposite to a building that sports some Chinese pagoda roofs. What would look crazy and totally out of place somewhere in Europe makes perfect sense here. And I love it.

There is only one city in the USA that I think I would find more attractive. This city is located of the other side of the continent. I have never been there but I will be there soon.

FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/180 sec, ISO200)