David Michael Gordon

We did not know what to make of him at first as he loudly greeted everyone passing by and making up nicknames for them in the process. Jasper named us “Curly-Q” and “Wisdom”. The humidity was making my wife’s hair curly most of the time and I assume I was named “Wisdom” because of my white beard. He seemed to remember every name he assigned and was very entertaining (once we realized he was quite harmless). He seemed to especially enjoy joking with the ladies although many people seemed to ignore him and look the other way. Although his appearance hinted that he may have had a rough life, he was always upbeat and smiling. Jasper makes a supplemental income by selling the Street Sheet to passersby.

On our last night in San Francisco, I asked him if I could photograph him to which he agreed. After that we chatted with him for a bit, made a modest donation, and said goodbye. He seemed to be happy for the conversation and people expressing an interest in him. I heard that he has been on that same street corner for many years.

That was the last photograph I made in San Francisco and quite a deviation from the wildlife and landscape photography I usually do. But in a certain way, it was the most memorable for me because of the story behind it.