@foggygrain

Introduce yourself.

I’m Isaac, a fifth-generation San Franciscan and film photographer. I shoot mostly on film, which started after I found my grandfather’s 1955 Leica. My work is focused on capturing the everyday beauty of the city that raised me.

How has San Francisco shaped your eye compared to anywhere else?

It’s the only city I’ve ever really known, so it’s shaped everything. When you live somewhere that’s been photographed by millions of people, you stop chasing the obvious and start looking for the angles and moments no one else notices.

What has been your most challenging photo to take?

Candid street photography in San Francisco. It forces me out of my comfort zone, I have to stop observing from a distance and actually be part of the scene, interact with people. I’m still getting used to it, but that discomfort is what makes the photos feel real.

Why do you choose film over digital?

I’m a tactile person, and I’d rather be out shooting than sitting at a computer editing. Film does most of the heavy lifting, the stock gets me close to what I want straight out of the camera. I used to shoot digital and would only go out in perfect conditions, then edit endlessly. I hated that.

What do you hope people feel after spending time with your work?

I want people to feel like they need to book a flight to San Francisco. The city gets a lot of unfair hate online, and as a fifth-generation San Franciscan, I want my work to push back on that. Beyond SF, I hope it inspires people to just go outside and pay attention, there’s beauty everywhere if you’re looking.