This is what street photography is all about. Agree with Martine. This is very powerful. Great job.

Martine and Peter, I am honored. My primary reason for shooting in the street is to convey emotion and move the viewer with my imagery. Like others I often feel my own work falls short of my own goals. To have you both express that this image moves you is a very rewarding concept for me.

Tracy and I were going out street shooting so we parked our car at the Downtown Center Garage where you must exit the structure through a retail lobby. As we walked toward the exit, this homeless woman was there hoping to gain tips by opening the door for the garage patrons. I learned long ago that once I exit my car, it's important to have my camera out of my bag, as you never know when a shot will present itself. I took this shot as we were walking toward the woman and the exit.

I thanked her when we exited, but did not offer her any money. I did take a few moments though to stop to speak with her. I wanted to tell her that her face was really wonderful and I was grateful to have the chance to photograph her.

A well deserved feature and an exceptional shot.

Klassic Kitaoka shot there.
Darn door-frame is in my way a little,but doesn't lessen the impact of her look.
I like the way your photos are little stories,
and not just pictures.
I wish you and Tracy a New Year filled with joy!

Hey Carl, Happy New Year to you as well. Tracy, the woman was actually looking at you!

Thank goodness for web translators! "It has resistance, it has light and mainly it has "much force". In summary it is a photo "10". Feleicidades."

Thanks so much.

Wonderful portrait

the facial expression is so amazing.
truly a great portrait!

beautiful portrait! nice light.

Excellent. I also love the lighting.

That really made fear. Can you say some to me more?
Greetings.

ohmanthatiscreepy!! Great capture! I love the b&w!

This is superb Mark. I love every element of it!

incredibly nice!
I really like your maner to place subject on the "wrong" side of the picture, just enough to break the rule, and still with a bit space, for breath.

nice work!

Brant and effraie, thank you. Rules are occasionally meant to be broken in my mind. How else do we progress? Thanks again.

Very cool Mark. Congrats on the feature and have a great night hanging your show! Very exciting!

Thank you Ky. It was fun and exciting to hang the show today. You can see the preparation work at:
photos.kitaoka.us/myexhibit.htm
Thanks again.

Nice set. Great light.

Well after three months,I still think this has some great 'shades?' in it.
And now I see it as a "Mark" shot that I don't see emotion in,how 'bout that!

Carl, if I had three aces in my hand you can bet there would be emotion! Especially if I was playing strip poker with Thelma! hehehehe

LOL!!

Well I see your three aces and raise you a straight!! Haha! Great shot!

Such rich (tones?)light dark shades of grey
what an intense expression

Carl, this man was spinning when I caught this image. He was playing with a Hula Hoop on Folsom Street in San Francisco. The expression is his concentration combined with surprise when he turned around and I took the shot.

That's a guy?

outstanding

Thank you Linda, this is one of my personal favorites.

Mark,those big eyes and that expression,could melt the coldest heart.Showing a little of her soul through her eyes.

The expression is purely wonderful, and the little tilt of the head completes the mood.

Mark,
I did not know this was yours!
I love her hair,eyes,jacket....
So did you wait all day in front of that sign? ;-)
I bet she is past fearing,hope is better than fear..

Carl, you crack me up. Like I would wait in front of a bus stop all day to get a shot....you know me well! But in this case that was NOT the case. I was walking on Market Street in SF and low and behold there she was, and in front of that bus sign! I call this in the right place at the right time.

I like your B&W beautiful work as usual, Mark.
However, on this one, I feel that the DOF was a bit short. The focus is good on the neck and ears zone, but there is a lack of sharpness on the nose and eyes, IMHO.

Sher, your comment is very kind and very much appreciated. Thank you.

Just came back to make this a favorite! Still find this photo very emotional and beautiful.

A truly wonderful portrait. As with many of your images Mark, the hands say so much. There is a very natural sense of peace in this image. Lovely.

Such a beautiful double portrait. You are hereby my favorite portrait photographer.

Lisa, Sher and Brant, thank you for the comments. I believe that genuine emotion is an integral part of any portrait. For me, the hands and expressions of individuals speaks volumes about who they are and what they are feeling at any given moment. This image of both of us speaks volumes about who we are together.