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30 Stunning Photos That Showcase San Francisco’s True Spirit Through Sage Akaboshi’s Eyes
Interview With Artist
San Francisco is a city that thrives on diversity—a true tapestry of cultures, flavors, and perspectives woven together over generations. This rich, vibrant spirit is beautifully captured through the lens of Sage Akaboshi.
Rather than artificially enhancing the city, Sage’s photography unveils its authentic essence, allowing the overlooked and everyday to shine. No detail is too small to escape his eye, transforming fleeting moments into timeless images that reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary.
Sage invites us to pause, look closer, and discover the poetry woven into the familiar places we often overlook.
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Sage, born and raised in Japan, later moved to Hawaii before making San Francisco his home. Reflecting on the origins of his photography journey in an interview with Bored Panda, he shared that it all began with a Polaroid.
"I got my first Polaroid SX-70 when I was 19," he recalled. "I also had a film camera and spent my days capturing my friends on black and white film."
When asked what he loves most about San Francisco, Sage’s answer was simple yet profound—the people on the streets.
“In 2024, I joined the group show & zine 'WHAT WE LOVE', which features Street photography. All photographers & their photos inspired me a lot. Then I realized once again how interesting San Francisco is,” he explained.
When asked about the habits, routines, or environments that define his ideal creative day, Sage shared that there’s nothing particularly special—except for his love of handcrafts. To fuel his inspiration, he often attends local artist events, immersing himself in the creative energy around him.
"And, of course, to photograph the cool people there," he added.
Beyond that, Sage enjoys capturing the real San Francisco—the candid, humorous moments that often go unnoticed by tourists.
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Maggie Fulton 8 months ago
I remember coming across a man giving an impromptu flute concert in one of the tunnels in Golden Gate Park over lunch. Street musicians everywhere.
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Maggie Fulton 8 months ago
I lived in the SF Bay Area for a while in the 90s and worked in the City. I remember all the street flower vendors. I’ve spent most of my life in a desert city—we don’t have that.
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Richard Iachetta 8 months ago
I'm not sure it ever was a "nice" country. Black soldiers come back from WWI and are massacred because Whites are afraid of them now that they are trained in the use of weapons. An entire section of Tulsa was burnt to the ground and people shot because it was a successful black enterprise area. The 1950's if you weren't a white male you were a second class citizen That included women, Blacks, orients and anyone else who those in power considered lesser that them. This is the America that MAGA wants to go back to. Does not meet any definition of "nice" that I am aware of
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Marcel Robert Kerouac 8 months ago
shot of the Bay Bridge's western span taken from within the Ferry Building. i worked [t]here for 7 years, i know those windows
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BrownEyedPanda 8 months ago
Steve McQueen or Clint Eastwood should be flying over the hill any minute now.....
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What do you think ?
Carl Roberts 8 months ago (edited)
Ok, now show the photos that reveal SF is a filthy, crime ridden cesspool that literally smells like feces. I'm from SF (moved out of the area 2 years ago), I know what I'm talking about.
marianne eliza 8 months ago
Especially on those occasional very warm days.
Load More Replies... Carl Roberts 8 months ago (edited)
Ok, now show the photos that reveal SF is a filthy, crime ridden cesspool that literally smells like feces. I'm from SF (moved out of the area 2 years ago), I know what I'm talking about.
marianne eliza 8 months ago
Especially on those occasional very warm days.
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