Frank DiMarco - The Story Behind the Images

Clearing Storm Over Angel Island

Frank DiMarco — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:50:54 GMT

San Francisco Bay doesn't get all that many weather systems that include thunder and lightning. This system, just passing over Angel Island, viewed from our former residence in Sausalito, was quite dramatic. I think I was shooting with a Nikkormat FTN.

Cat on Cobblestone

Frank DiMarco — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:46:04 GMT

We had finished lunch up in the 19th Arrondisment, near Parc des Buttes Chaumont, and came upon this kitty who obviously "owned" this little stretch of cobblestone. Posing by the wisteria, he/she made a nice little shot. http://www.slowtrav.com/france/maps/paris.htm

Airstream In Stagecoach

Frank DiMarco — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:04:56 GMT

Kind of a cool story here. A friend's wife decided she wanted to live on a piece of property in Stagecoach, Nevada, where John Huston filmed "The Misfits" with Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe imdb.com/title/tt0055184/
We were asked to haul her Airstream up from Sonoma CA. So off we went. When we got near Stagecoach and stopped to look at the map, it was so windy that when we opened the doors of our rented pickup the wind sucked the map out of our hands and plastered it, fully open, against some barbed wire 30 yards away. Welcome to Stagecoach.

Escargot

Frank DiMarco — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:40:45 GMT

Paris is always full of surprises, and random acts of artful cleverness. This is one of many sights to delight the eye on a walk in Paris. Nikkormat FTN.

Old Barn

Frank DiMarco — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:30:25 GMT

I was visiting friends in rural upstate New York, above the Mohawk Valley. I had taken the train up to Utica from Manhattan. One day we went for a horseback ride and came upon this working barn. While in a state of disrepair, it still functioned. Shooting with the Nikon Photomic FTN.

But How is the Food?

Frank DiMarco — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 17:22:16 GMT

Wandering around Ottawa while visiting friends, my eye was caught by this restaurant awning and, as is my affliction, I couldn't help trying to somehow arrange an amusing effect. Probably shooting with the Nikkormat FTN.

Juice Cart

Frank DiMarco — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:42:52 GMT

This is a cart I ran across in Puerto Vallarta, in Old Town, and these syrups and juices go on iced drinks that you can purchase from the vendor. I liked the colors. I like Mexico.

Blowup Farm Animals

Frank DiMarco — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:44:58 GMT

It is not so much that I'm sick and twisted, it is really about all these signs that abound for the eye to behold.
This gem was in San Francisco and, you've got to admit, it is unique. It ended up being one of my biggest sellers in its incarnation as part of the American Postcard line. Just a snap with a Nikon L35AF.

Lace

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:26:45 GMT

We stayed in a little hotel in Quebec City and this was the view from our room just as we found it. The architecture in the city reflects the history, of course, and this building seemed to have walls a couple of feet thick. To stand overlooking the St. Lawrence River can harken one's mind back to times when nations fought bloody battles for this real estate...not to mention what they did to the native peoples...but, then, I digress...this is a photography blog afterall.

Hay Scow

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:09:42 GMT

For many years vessels calls "Hay Scows" plied the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento Delta hauling all sorts of cargoes, one of which was hay for the fledging San Francisco Municipal Railway's horse-drawn transports and other needs "fueled" by hay.
This scow, I believe, is the "Alma," restored to her sailing best. I shot this from my deck in Sausalito's Hurricane Gulch with a Nikkormat FTN.

Kitty and Blue Rail

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:58:57 GMT

Ok, I'm a sucker for this kind of image. Packing, I think, the Nikon L35AF on a trip to Greece, this shameless hussy posed for me on Mykonos. I couldn't get by the yellow eyes. I gave the kitten 25 pounds of sauteed chicken livers and called it even.

Art Shirt

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:35:18 GMT

Paris. Walking around near Les Halles, if memory serves. Instead of having just a plain-old piece of canvas covering the dusty construction on a building, I can hear the boss saying, "No, no, this is Paris, we cannot simply have a piece of canvas, we must have art! We must have humor! Allez!, Créez!"

Windows

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:28:31 GMT

New York, near SoHo. I am always fascinated by walking in New York. You need to look up, look down, look right, look left or you'll miss something interesting. These windows/shutters speak to the mercantile history of Manhattan. Shooting with the Nikon Photomic FTN.

Saturday Morning

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:23:12 GMT

Have we not all had our "Saturday Mornings?" This shot happens to be of someone very dear to me. After a 40-hour week that seemed like 140, the feet say it all. I also appreciate the "burrito" style of wrapping the comforter around.

Loveburger Hotel

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:17:26 GMT

In the Pigalle area of Paris, you'll find all sorts of nightlife opportunities. This happens to be a double sign advertising the hotel above the nightclub but who wouldn't want to stay at The Hotel Loveburger?

Flea Market Syle

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:59:41 GMT

In Marin City, California, between Sausalito and Mill Valley, there used to be one of America's greatest Flea Markets on the weekends. You could find everything from an 1850's hand-painted room screen to an Italian street punk switchblade. The food was wonderful, from fresh croissants to spicy Thai noodles to pizza. I kid you not, this was the best...I say "was" because it is now a mini-mall...a sure sign of progress.

Walk Across Cleveland

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 18:47:11 GMT

Well, yes, one would think it would be this easy. Actually I love Cleveland. It is a quintessential American city, a place where American industry took hold and flourished, and might still be if certain trade agreements hadn't sold American manufacturing strength to the highest offshore bidders (ooops, I guess I forgot my politically correct pills today).
Nonetheless, here's a humorous bit of signage I ran into in Clearwater, Florida.

Bay Bridge and Red's

Frank DiMarco — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:09:59 GMT

No doubt about it, Red's is a landmark. With the frou-frou upgrading of the historic Embarcadero, Red's has added a little glamor but there is no denying the workingman's heritage of the place. Always a great burger with a great ambiance. This was one of those shots that tried to capture the subject and put it in its place by the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge

Coming Home

Frank DiMarco — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:06:46 GMT

We were headed to SFO early one morning and as we came across the Golden Gate Bridge, we saw this aircraft carrier inbound for Alameda (possibly the U.S.S. Carl Vinson). I was able to find a viewpoint and catch her just as she came under the bridge, with her crew "manning the rails" in their white uniforms.

The Hippos

Frank DiMarco — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:17:25 GMT

Well, this was another hard-to-resist shots. It said it all to me, "Mom," "Warm," "Cuddly"...you name it. I was actually at the zoo with my then stroller-based son and had the Nikon Photomic FTN on my shoulder. Funny thing about this image...the baby in the photo is now a mother herself and the stroller-based son is now a father himself, two times over.

Mykonos

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:13:17 GMT

In Mykonos, in late September, the tourists have mostly gone home (except us). This little part of the island is a popular sunset gathering place.

Hard Ball

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:13:36 GMT

Wandering through a playground, I came upon this stern, rusty warning to all who play zee baseball.
A lawyer friend ordered one for his office. Canon G5 RAW.

Baldwin Beach, Maui, Hawaii

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:13:48 GMT

Aloha! Baldwin Beach, on Maui's windward side is a blissful walk, especially in the morning before the trade winds pick up.
In the distance, the Iao Valley can be seen in the gap between the mountain peaks. Canon G5 RAW. www.hawaiiweb.com/maui/sites_to_see/IaoValleyStatePark.htm

Anyone You Know?

Frank DiMarco — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 15:49:08 GMT

Of course, this was irresistible, in that there are so many, er, subtexts with the subject. American Postcard Company published this as a postcard some years ago. "Thinking of You" was the title they put on it. I was riding my bike in Mill Valley just after their annual city parade and, of course, had the little point and shoot L34AF in my backback. I know people who keep a print of this in their offices for those moments when they need a certain "mandala" to get them through a particular phone call or meeting. This is available, like the other images on the blog at my online gallery.

Willamette Riverfront

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:14:32 GMT

I always get a laugh when I tell people that Portland is "the Paris of the West." Well, we've got a beautiful river running through town, the food is wonderful, the place is full of artists and writers and it rains alot. I lucked out with this shot one April morning in the 90's when the morning sky turned pink and the sun popped on the scene. Nikkormat FTN on Kodak color negative film.

Wine In Hand

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:14:50 GMT

The Nikon Photomic FTN again. I think I was using the 35mm Nikkor 2.8 lens or the 50mm Nikkor 1.2 on this snap of a friend holding a glass of wine. Tri-X film. Just sort of that moment that many of us relish. Reflection, companionship, a moment of enjoyment.

Laughing Sal by Michael Pedroni

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:15:13 GMT

San Francisco artist Michael Pedroni faithfully recreated "Laughing Sal," the animated character that graced the entrance to the Fun House at "Playland at the Beach" along the San Francisco oceanfront...until it was replaced...by condos. Blecch.

Dock Cats

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:15:56 GMT

For a few years I lived aboard my old Herreshoff ketch, "Sumiki II" in Sausalito's Pelican Harbour. One of the things I noticed was the community of cats that lived on and around the various yachts.

Yang Repair

Frank DiMarco — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:40:40 GMT

Well, there will always be a New York, and do I ever love walking those NY streets...and if you are as crazy about signage as I am, you couldn't resist this picture, near the Village. Shooting with a Nikon Photomic FTN.

The Caddie Fin

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:16:50 GMT

We've all seen 'em, those wonderful Cadillacs. The late 50's and early 60's saw the fins get evermore extruded and yelling "Detroit Iron" about as loud as you wanted. I found this one parked along Second St. in San Francisco.

Angel Island Fog

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:17:26 GMT

Living in the "Hurricane Gulch" area of Sausalito, California, www.sausalito.org , I was very fortunate to have a daily show by Mother Nature, especially the legendary fog of San Francisco Bay. On some days a tongue of fog would come through the narrow Golden Gate and literally bounce off Angel Island, www.angelisland.org

Evening in Paris

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:17:43 GMT

There is something about Paris, yes? I think I was shooting with that little Nikon L35AF as we strolled along near the Eiffel Tower. It seemed like everyone was on a first, and successful, date. As I mentioned elsewhere, the magic of that little old L35AF was that you could suppress the flash by physically holding down the popup flash unit. Amazing little camera.

Bad Behavior

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:18:10 GMT

People who know my work know I'm always on the lookout for interesting signage. I was walking crosstown through New York's garment district one day and there I spied a handbill promoting a book called "Bad Behavior" over which someone had pasted another handbill promoting a lecture on "The Politics of Rosa Luxemburg." New York has to be one of the best playgrounds for street photographers. I love every trip there. Camera was probably the Nikon L35AF with Kodak ASA 400 color print film.

Sunday Times

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:19:29 GMT

For many years San Francisco's Cliff House has been a popular place for meeting, eating and drinking. Don't we all have some savored Sunday mornings where we kicked back, enjoyed the New York Times and perhaps had an Irish Coffee?
Someone pictured here appears to be doing just that. Shooting with Tri-X with a Nikon Photomic FTN SLR.

Pelicans and the Menu

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:19:53 GMT

Well, of course Pelicans can read. This shot was made at the boat docks in Clearwater Beach, Florida. What was holding the pelicans' interest was the guy cleaning fish out of frame on the upper right. My little Nikon L35 AF was of course in my bag and I was able to get numerous shots as though I wasn't even there to the subjects. Very focused, they were.

Armin Mueller-Stahl

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:20:23 GMT

One of my favorite jobs has always been working on movies as the still photographer www.imdb.com/name/nm1604133/ and I was lucky enough to be able to meet and photograph actor and author Armin Mueller-Stahl on "The Dust Factory."
A true gentleman with a fine sense of humor and a great sense of his craft, Mr. Mueller-Stahl mentored his younger colleagues on the film and, I believe, made their performances better for it. I was shooting with a Nikon digital SLR at the time, in my sound blimp. This image was made between takes and Armin just happened to be sitting in a set light in a certain way. He later used this image as the jacket and poster shot for one of his books, "Hannah." You can see some cast and crew shots on my website www.dimarcoimages.com/makingmovies

Sailing

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:20:53 GMT

This image was taken aboard "Baruna," a Sparkman & Stephens racing yawl. We are two days out of Suva, Fiji and the sky is clear, just after Hurricane Bebe roared through and devastated many of the islands around the area. I was part of a small crew delivering "Baruna" back to San Francisco Bay where she had formerly been home-ported. I was documenting the voyage as well as crewing, using a 16mm Bolex movie camera and my still cameras. This image was taken with a Rolleiflex twin-lens reflex, medium format camera.

The Cardroom

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:21:21 GMT

On a late April morning the sun peeked out and gloriously lit the painted side-door of Portland's Lotus Cardroom www.lotuscardroomandcafe.com/venues_lotus.html , one of the Northwest's most historic venues since 1924.
I was most likely shooting with my old Nikkormat FTN and certainly couldn't imagine lighting it better.

The Learning Curve

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:21:44 GMT

I'm pretty sure this was the Musée D'Orsay but it might be in the Louvre. Sorry.
Nonetheless, as I watched, fascinated, at this artist doing an exquisite job copying the painting, I noticed that with so many brush strokes she would put "a little 'English' in her stroke." I was shooting with a Canon G5 in RAW.

The Hippie Van

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:22:11 GMT

One day back in the '70s I was walking around my beloved San Francisco and came upon a classic statement of the Hippie era. Remember, this was before we got so politically correct that we couldn't imply that the youngsters were not just "camping" in their vans. I think I was still shooting with a Nikon Photomic FTN at that time, probably loaded with Tri-X. My van was green, a 1963. No writing on the side. How about yours?

Chic Hotel

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:27:25 GMT

We had just finished lunch at a little spot just below Sacré Coeur and were lurching our way down the hill into the bustling Montmartre/Pigalle district of Paris and, low and behold, there was The Chic Hotel! I think I was packing an old Nikkormat FTN at the time.

Coffee In The Rain

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:26:07 GMT

I was in Mill Valley, California one rainy morning visiting my pal Bob who owns one of the grooviest card stores in the world www.twoneat.com and stopped into the corner coffee house for extra large cup of morning medicine. I happened to notice a nice framing in the window with one of the customers setting the whole thing off. I pulled out my trusty old Nikon L35AF (may she rest in peace) and took advantage of a little-known feature of that great old film point-and-shoot, i.e., if you held down the pop-up flash the camera would figure out how to get kind of a cool exposure. Anyway, I was looking for the kind of warm and cozy-on-a-rainy-day mood of the moment.

The Onion Man

Frank DiMarco — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:24:35 GMT

Several decades ago I was in Little Italy in New York City, on Mulberry St., during the San Genaro Festival, on a beautiful September day. As I strolled along capturing the vibrant, fragrant street scenes, I happened upon this gentleman who was prepping some onions for the sausage and onions grill. Immediately after I snapped the photo I stepped back and felt that I had bumped into someone. As I turned to apologize for my clumsiness, I looked straight into eyes of a distinguished, silver-haired Italian gentlemen. He was perfectly coiffed and wearing about a million dollar suit and was accompanied by two huge, scary-looking guys who looked like they wanted to tear my arms off and throw them on the grill. I apologized for accidently bumping into him and he graciously said "no problem, I hope you are getting some good pictures." He and his bodyguards then continued walking down the street. As I watched them walk, and my joy of still having my arms attached to me flooded my pounding heart, I noticed that people on the stoops would rise and bow slightly as the elegant gentleman and his associates passed them. I should add that my grandfather was a barber in Little Italy in the early 1900's. Had things gone awry, I don't think that would have saved me.