Folsom Street
Costume designer extraordinaire Ron Muncaster – “I have costumes in museums all over the world.”
“You don’t see that every day on the streets of Des Moines, Iowa!” said the man from Phoenix to me about a sight outside this frame. “I wouldn’t know, ” I said, “I’ve never been to Des Moines, Iowa.” Don’t see that in New York either!
Not long back from a hectic time in San Francisco and now back to NYC where the weather has turned cold, wet and windy - perfect for hibernating in the peace of quiet time, catching up with everyone. In the meantime, some random shots from the recent Folsom Street Fair - where leather and the lash combine to create heady times for aficionados and interesting observations for those of us who appear to have wandered in all the way from Des Moines, Iowa.
Wow, San Francisco.
For sure Bumba!
Wild👍 You won’t usually see that in Rochester ,NY, either ;)))
Awesome shots for sure
These are the tame shots!
Lol, I figured, I have a Flickr Friend…Victor… He has some shots … Lol, you’d never ever find here ;)))
Loved what u did show Patti
even on our yearly canal parade you don’t get to see this! and that in america where loads of people get shocked when a nipple shows 😉
The shock depends on the market Inge and the NFL, all about football and family, can protest all it likes about the nipple while happily raking in the ratings and the $$$.
It all went down very well with my second coffee and croissant. It all seems so cheery. I need a good whipping too.
Hate to think of you choking on your croissant Gerard . . . . 😦 but happy you see the cheery 🙂
An interesting place. Wow. I assume this is the family friendly version.
But what I really want to know is what costume were YOU wearing, Patti?
Yes Lignum, definitely the family friendly version! As to what I was wearing, when I looked as though I were from Des Moines Iowa? I thought I looked cool enough in my black Levi jeans and navy denim shirt – dull, dull dull! 🙂
Your finger on the pulse as ever… I wish I looked that good in my underwear! I recognised Ron M. He is a living legend.
Sunday afternoon in SF! Apart from the buff work-out bods there weren’t too many other people worried about what they looked like in, and out, of their underwear.
Fabulous set of images Patti! I wouldn’t have been brave enough to strip off either! LOVE the light in the second shot – a very strong image, could be a Frankie Goes To Hollywood scene. x
Sunburn is enough for me to keep my clothes on! Thank you Teresa and so good to hear you enjoy the shot – thought I had blown it (probably did!) with ISO too high – forgot to re-set it from shooting night before in the dark. Oh well.
Is it me or there is a fully naked gentleman (except for boots) in your fifth photo. I’ve seen a lot of audacity in gay pride parade in Montreal but never someone showing his/her genitals.
Yes Nelson you are quite right, there is a fully naked boot wearing gentleman in that shot. I’m surprised he’s the only one! The Folsom St Fair is definitely more than a few notches away from what we see at a Pride Parade but then this fair is all about the leather!
Wow!! Fabulous shots Patti! So much pride! 🙂
So much pride at the Fair, thank you Elina!
Great shots, Patti – love those where your subjects are semi-posed – really fun.
Thank you Richard! Word is you have to be careful taking photos and not everyone is happy about having random shots taken. Policy is “just ask” before shooting but for all that, and some asking, I had no problems. Everyone was sweet, including those I kept thinking to myself “are you sure you don’t mind . . . .?”
Awesome shots Patti 🙂 It seems like no matter where you are all the action follows you. Are these shots with the X ?
Merely tagging along but thanks Joe for the thought! As for the X, you mean you can’t tell?
Hi Patti- Fantastic shots! I didn’t get to see the fest but enjoyed spotting loads of leather-clad people walking the city. I love SF.
So funny Jane, I’m just over at yours now reading about Bay Bridge, Blood Moon which I forgot all about after spending the afternoon at the Fest – so many shots which will never see the light of day!
Love your Blood Moon shots Jane, fabulous!
Excellent set. That’s the part of NYC that rarely is photographed correctly.
Shots 1 and 6; I hate those little garrison hats. Why do so many SM participants like to dress up like Nazi SS? That bugs the hell out of me. Nazis! I wish they’d come up with a better way to dress up for the occasion that like something so oppressive, hostile, racist and bigoted.
Thank you Allan for your interesting comment which has inspired me to research the matter further. So much of the gay population suffered at the hands of the Nazis while being gay elsewhere was illegal until not so long ago, relatively speaking. My understanding of the military aspects in gay culture goes back to the immediate post war days of San Francisco where thousands of military men were de-mobbed at the end of the war. A significant percentage of these men chose to stay in SF rather than return to other parts of the country where being gay was not on the agenda. Hence the birth of SF’s well-muscled gay community and activism.
Wow, wow, wow, Patti! Your photography never ceases to amaze me! That first shot, in particular, just blows me away. I’ve revisited the post a number of times, but it wasn’t until this last time that I caught the nude man in the fifth photo 🙂 I’m not sure who had more hutzpah – he for walking down the street or you for taking the photo! Fantastic set, my fearless friend.
I return to San Francisco this coming week – my big adventure consists of going to Alcatraz … twice (morning and night) 😜
Promise you Stacy, these are the quiet shots . . . . chutzpah and so much more out there! You have a great week out there and I know you will get great shots. Can’t wait to see your views from Alcatraz! 🙂
😀👍🏻
Gee Patti, I bet you DO need a bit of quiet right about now… 😉 Great work!
Great to see you here Lyn and thank you so much for your comforting words! Heading over to yours soon for a real dose of serenity! 🙂
Well that was different. 😀
Yep! 🙂
Great I feel the energy ☺️
Happy for you Hedy! 🙂
“Leather and lash”! Genius as always, Patti! Welcome home and welcome to autumn…
Such kind words, thank you so much DW!
When I look at your photography Patti the old saying, used by the SAS I think, “who dares wins” comes to mind.
These are winning photographs, achievable only by being brave behind the lens and skilled in photography! Another great post!
I treasure your words, thank you so much Peter!
Oh I’ve been anxiously awaiting your shots, Patti and you certainly didn’t disappoint!! They are all fabulous and what a wonderful array of characters! You are such an inspiration…next time I’m going to follow you all around San Francisco 🙂
Thank you Susan, how exciting to think of next time in SF with you! Photos of this event are one thing but being there, with so much happening, it’s hard to translate . . .
So great meeting you and seeing you in action with your awesome magic touch at work!
some leather-and-skin extravaganza there… awesome shots, Patti!!
Please believe me Alexandra when I tell you there was more, so much more . . .
Thank you!
The pictures are so beautiful! 👌 love your blog
( do check my travel blog too)
Thank you kindly Nimitode and very enjoying your exciting travels!
thankyouuu
Fab series!! Great work, Patti!
Thank you so much Malin!
Crikey! As always a joy to look at your work Patti. Strong images that have really captured the essence of what was in front of your sense with an understanding, joy and compassion.
An event such as this is difficult to explain but your words of “understanding, joy and compassion” nail it for me because I came away with so many mixed feelings but as the outsider, or so it felt, the friendliness was overwhelming. Perhaps we are all of us outsiders together, in one way or another. Thank you James.
You really managed to capture the atmosphere.
Thank you kindly Rabirius!
What rabirius says, +1 ! And what a special atmosphere!
robert
So pleased you enjoyed it, thank you Robert!
Um, there’s a totally naked guy in ne of your photos above. A full Monty! If I had a build like him, I would keep my clothes on. In fact, I DO keep my clothes on. Even when I go to bed, take a shower, whatever!
Yes Emilio, there is a totally naked guy in that shot. The surprise is that he’s the only one in this shot when there were more, so many more . . . . I don’t believe you for a minute about keeping your clothes on at all times!
Makes it difficult when the doctor wants to examine me!
As though the doctor’s job isn’t hard enough!
Oh dear, heavenly SF! Awesome shots, Patti! 🙂
A special place indeed, thank you Dina!
All the worlds a stage! Your photos capture it all!
Yikes! Fab captures.