THE GRAY HAIR SERIES
The Gray Hair Series of individuals you see here is an ambition to include as many variations that I can conveniently find of this regal and honest indicator of time that can show as grace, style, sophistication, class and age. Beauty is expressed in all kinds of ways and at all ages. I hope that these images indicate that. I continue to learn as I photograph the subjects with a lot of anecdotes and information that have helped me to learn more as I photograph members of this huge segment of the American population.
Gray hair is not really gray but a variation of several shades of a gray spectrum as well as silver, platinum, smoke, metallic, bronze and golden grays. There is no set pattern that is absolute to the graying of the world. The loss of pigment in the hair follicle can take place as early as the teenage years and some hardly show a touch of gray at their latest years. This contradicts the idea of one gray generation.
Just as there is that loss of pigment to produce gray hair, there is also the diametrical shape of the follicles that produce straight or curly hair. This is a physical range of the relative round to oval to flat sided hair follicle. The appearance of our hair follicles under a microscope will prove to us that the appearance of the generic term GRAY really is a hair follicle that has lost all or most of its pigment. They will appear to be the same as Plexiglas tubing. Every hair strand is connected to two capillaries that supply blood to the root of the hair follicle. I am not sure whether hair is still seen as a form of protein.
The concept of gray hair is another one of the great equalizers of the world. Another way to illustrate that people are more alike than different which is a large part of my philosophy. It knows no boundaries of gender, race, class, religion, or attitude. Even heredity can contradict this characteristic. When the hair is dyed, it is just a covering of the outer shell of the follicle thus it is a cover-up. Even Osama Bin Laden was affected enough to believe that he needed to dye his gray hair in order to appear younger when it was not necessary.
The ages and the generations that we all represent appear and are probably younger in attitude and maturity than ever compared to our parents generation and we may be younger than they were at our age. Gray hair does not symbolize the lifetime signature of the aging of an individual as much as it is an example of the experience of the beauty of a life and our time in this life.
The gray is usually within a range from semi-opaque to clear follicles as well as the original color of the hair that affects the range of gray from silver, through platinum, smoke, metallic, bronze and sometimes golden gray to white. The false advertising campaign of hiding that gray such as the old slogan: ---hate that gray, wash it away--- is just another way to sell products. It is not the covering of gray that makes us look younger as much as the attitude inside of our heads not on top.
THIS IS A RECENT BROADCAST THAT FEATURES GRAY HAIR ON MY WEB SITE.
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Anonymous Berkeley, California, February 2012
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Julie Berkeley, California, February 2012
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Jeannie San Francisco, California, February 2012
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MaryAnne San Francisco, California, February 2012
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Michael Berkeley, California, February 2012
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Zohra Berkeley, California, February 2012
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Man at Stone Face Park Berkeley, California, February 2012
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Woman at Chinese New Year Parade San Francisco San Francisco, California, February 2012
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Woman at Chinese New Year Parade San Francisco, California, February 2012
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Diana Berkeley, California, February 2012
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Anonymous Gray haired Woman Berkeley, California, February 2012
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Woman on Fillmore St San Francisco, California, January 2012
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Gray man at Peets Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Anonymous Gray haired Woman Berkeley, California, February 2012
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Arthur in Gray Berkele, California, January 2012
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Woman at Worth Ryder Gallery Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Macworld gray woman Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Blue Cobra Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Fillmore Cafˇ woman San Francisco, California, January 2012
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Averie Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Woman at Macworld San Francisco, California, January 2012
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Sikh Man Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Blue Cobra Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Claire Emeryville, California, January 2012
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Millie Oakland, California, January 2012
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Harley and Steve Berkeley, California, December 2011
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Al Oakland, California, January 2012
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Al Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Trio of Friends Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Anonymous Berkeley, California, September 2011
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Anonymous Berkeley, California, September 2011
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Lynn Oakland, California, January 2012
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Al Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Susan Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Anonymous Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Anonymous Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Anonymous Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Anonymous Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Anonymous Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Genova Deli worker Oakland, California, January 2012
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Howard Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Sharon and Dana, Oakland California, June 2011
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Dr. Silvestre Oakland, California, June 2011
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Gerald Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Three Berkeley Friends Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Philippe Berkeley, California, January 2012
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Calusa Street Stroller Berkeley, California, January 2012
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San Leandro Berkeley, California, December 2011
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Nick Berkeley, California, December 2011
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Anonymous Oakland, California, December 2011
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AC transit driver Berkeley, California, November 2011
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Taylor Berkeley, California, November 2011
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Demetra and Noah" Oakland, California, November 2011
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Writer at the Mediterranean Cafe" Berkeley, California, November 2011
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Antonia" Berkeley, California, November 2011
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"R.L. Haney" New York City, New York November 2011
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"Linda" Berkeley, California November 2011
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"Shy Student 2" Berkeley, California November 2010
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"Colette" New York City, New York October 2010
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"James" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Merry" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Jerry" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Kiilu, former Black Panther of Connecticut" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Sharon" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Ken" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Tahuti" Oakland, California October 2011
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"Judy and Maurice" Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 2011
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"Former Student" Oakland, California October 2011
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"Kimothe" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Rodrigo" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Toni Cousin" Berkeley, California October 2011
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|  "Ananda Model Session" Oakland, California June 2010 |
 "Ananda Model Session" Oakland, California June 2010 |
 "Ananda Model Session" Oakland, California June 2010 |
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"Mary" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Alan and Shari" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Anonymous on Claremont Avenue" Berkeley, California October 2011
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"Makani" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Jo" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Bebe two years later" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Anon bike rider on campus" Berkeley, California September 2011
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" Anon bike rider on campus " Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Man in restaurant" Oakland, California September 2011
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"Juana Alicia" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Josie" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Joe" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Liz" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Mary" Richmond, California September 2011
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"Anonymous" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Karen" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Mary" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Kathleen the filmmaker" San Francisco, California September 2011
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"Solano Street Senior" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Anonymous" San Pablo, California September 2011
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"Anonymous" San Pablo, California September 2011
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"Vons brother" San Pablo, California September 2011
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"Angela" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Anonymous" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Anonympous" Berkeley, California September 2011
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"Anonymous" Berkeley, California August 2011
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"Leslie" Berkeley, California August 2011
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"Sonny" Berkeley, California August 2011
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"Ladonna" Oakland, California August 2011
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"Dora Luz" Richmond, California August 2011
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"Anonymous" Oakland, California August 2011
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"Anonymous" Berkeley, California August 2011
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"Lynn and Aaron" Berkeley, California August 2011
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"Amoeba Records Employee" Berkeley, California August 2011
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"Her name is Face" Berkeley, California August 2011
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"Christine in Rapid City" Rapid City, South Dakota July 2011
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"Rapid City Couple" Rapid City, South Dakota July 2011
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"Anonymous Japanese Tourist" Berkeley, California August 2011
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"Lisa" Richmond, California August 2011
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"Anonymous woman" Richmond, California August 2011
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"Wanda" New Orleans, Louisiana July 2011
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"Anastasia" Berkeley, California July 2011
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"Arialda" New Orleans, Louisiana July 2011
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"Mount Rushmore Motorcycle visitor" Keystone, South Dakota July 2011
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"Anonymous Berkeley woman" Berkeley, California July 2011
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"Jeffrey" San Francisco, California July 2011
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"Anonymous San Francisco Firefighter" San Francisco, California July 2011
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"Helon" Berkeley, California July 2011
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" Anonymous man on Fillmore Street " San Francisco, California July 2011
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" Bill Dallas on Fillmore Street " San Francisco, California July 2011
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" Anonymous woman at Pride parade" San Francisco, California July 2011
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" Anonymous woman on Fillmore Street " San Francisco, California July 2011
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" Anonymous man on Fillmore Street " San Francisco, California July 2011
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" Anonymous woman on Fillmore Street " San Francisco, California July 2011
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" Shirley " Oakland, California June 2011
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" Olympia "San Francisco, California June 2011
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" Rodney " Emeryville, California June 2011
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" Michael " Piedmont, California June 2011
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" Rod " Berkeley, California June 2011
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" Anonymous man " Piedmont, California June 2011
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" Michael " Piedmont, California June 2011
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" Emmett " Berkeley, California June 2011
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" MC " Piedmont, California June 2011
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"Neighbor on 1000 Oaks Avenue" Berkeley, California June 2011
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" Connie " Berkeley, California June 2011
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" Gray Haired Sikh Woman " Berkeley, California June 2011
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"Linda " San Mateo, California June 2011
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" Steven " San Mateo, California June 2011
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" Al " San Mateo, California May 2011
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" Kenneth" San Mateo, California June 2011
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" Ed " San Mateo, California June 2011
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" Jackie " Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Eleanor" San Mateo, California June 2011
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" Evelyn " San Mateo, California June 2011
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" Claire " Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Anonymous spectator" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Betty" Oakland, California May 2011
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"Tyler" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Francie" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Maxine Hong Kingston" San Francisco, California May 2011
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"Willis" Francisco, California May 2011
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"Cliff" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Maggie" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Runner in Golden Gate Park" San Francisco, California May 2011
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"Edwina" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Dana" Sausalito, California May 2011
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"Shirley" Richmond, California May 2011
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"Van Cleef" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Anonymous Production Cameraman" Richmond, California May 2011
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"Alan" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Berkeley Bowl Market Vendor" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Gunnar" Berkeley, California May 2011
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"Penny" Richmond, California May 2011
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"Harry" Albany, California May 2011
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"Swami Sitanya" Richmond, California April 2011
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"Harvey" Berkeley, California April 2011
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"Anonymous Woman" San Francisco, California February 2011
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"Anonymous Woman" Emeryville, California May 2011
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"Brian" Oakland, California March 2011
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"Anonymous Man" Emeryville, California April 2011
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"Larry" Berkeley, California March 2011
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"Ashira" Richmond, California March 2011
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"Samantha" Berkeley, California March 2011
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"Ginny" Berkeley, California April 2011
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"Raymond" Berkeley, California March 2011
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"Cecile" Berkeley, California April 2011
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"Annamarie" San Francisco, California April 2011
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"Barbara" Oakland, California April 2011
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"Carl" Oakland, California April 2011
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"Nancy" Oakland, California April 2011
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"Willis and Sarah" Oakland, California April 2011
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"Susan"Oakland, California April 2011
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"Judith" Berkeley, California April 2011
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"Ilona after dinner" Berkeley, California April 2011
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"Hubert"Berkeley, California April 2011
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"Jek at Costco" Richmond, California April 2011
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"Violet" Oakland, California April 2011
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"Pegasus Fan" Berkeley, California March 2011
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"Jimmy the Photographer" Berkeley, California April 2011
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"Flea Market Drummer" Berkeley, California April 2011
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"Patricia" Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Anna" Berkeley, California March 2011
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"Linda" Berkeley, California March 2011
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"Bert" Oakland, California April 2011
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"Brian's Wife" Oakland, California March 2011
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"Mother and daughter at Ruth's" Oakland, California March 2011
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"Anonymous man at Costco" Richmond, California March 2011
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"Anna, the first grade teacher", Berkeley, California 2010 |
"Malcolm" Berkeley, California March 2011
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"Satri" San Francisco, California February 2011
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"Andrea" Berkeley, California February 2011
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"Georgette" San Francisco, California March 2011
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"Elsa" Berkeley, California March 2011
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"Tamai" Berkeley, California February 2011
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"Tom" Berkeley, California February 2011
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"Akiba" Oakland, California February 2011
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"Ginger at Richmond Art Center" Richmond, California February 2011
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"Woman at the Berkeley Flea Market" Oakland, California February 2011
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"Officiant of Salim's" Oakland, California February 2011
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"Donna at Richmond Art Center" Richmond, California February 2011
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"Marguerite at Richmond Art Center "Richmond, California February 2011
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"Joyce Gordon at the Joyce Gordon Gallery"
Oakland, California February 2011
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"Mollison at Richmond Art Center" Richmond, California Febuary 2011
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"Hershell at Richmond Art Center "Richmond, California February 2011
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"Sam" Oakland, California January 2011
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"Anonymous Man" Berkeley, California January 2011>
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"Ms. Motton" Oakland, California January 2011
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"Mission Bart Rider" San Francisco, California February 2011
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"Meryl" Berkeley, California January 2011
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"Paci" Berkeley, California January 2011
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"Jack" Berkeley, California January 2011
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"Pam" Berkeley, California January 2011
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"Anonymous Grandmother" Berkeley, California January 2011
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"Iron Souls Motorcycle Club Member" Oakland, California December 2010
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"Sally Wolfer" Berkeley, California December 2010
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"Josef Chytry" Berkeley, California December 2010
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"Ron Willis" Berkeley, California December 2010
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"A Gray Haired Berkeley Couple" Berkeley, California December 2010
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"Ms. McCullough" San Francisco, California December 2010
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"Carlos" San Francisco, California December 2010
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"Anonymous" San Francisco, California December 2010
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"Alonzo" Montclair, California December 2010
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"Mano" Berkeley, California December 2010
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"Anthony" Berkeley, California December 2010
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"Leslie" San Francisco, California December 2010
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"John", Oakland, California November2010
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"Rodger Jacobsen" San Francisco, California December 2010
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"Mardi",
Berkeley, California November2010
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"Colleen of the Cantor Arts Center",
Stanford, California November2010
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"Patricia",
Berkeley, California November 2010
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"Genevieve",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Miki",
Berkeley, California November 2010
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"Henry" San Francisco, California October 2010
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"Jan",
Berkeley, California November 2010
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"Kate",
Berkeley, California November 2010
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"Unidentified",
San Leandro, California November 2010
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"Newman ",
Berkeley, California October 2010
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"Patricia",
Oakland, California October 2010
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"Gerry Audet",
San Francisco, California September 2010
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"Ida of Richmond",
Richmond, California October 2010
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"Paul Monroe",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Chris",
Oakland, California September 2010
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"Susan",
Oakland, California September 2010
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"Jody",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Linda",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Howard",
San Francisco, California October 2010
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"Richard Shaw",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Solano Stroller 1",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Matthew",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Solano Stroller 1",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Solano Stroller 4",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Solano Stroller 2",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Sonya",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"James",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Carol",
Oakland, California September 2010
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"Colleen",
Oakland, California September 2010
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"Anonymous woman at festival",
Oakland, California September 2010
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"Linda Hall",
Oakland, California September 2010
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"Baptist Davison",
Berkeley, California September 2010
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"Anonymous Woman",
Oakland, California August 2010
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"Phil Pasquini",
Novato, California August 2010
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"Anonymous homeless man",
San Francisco, California August 2010
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"Grace Gary-Allen",
Sacramento, California August 2010
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"Ethel Gary",
Sacramento, California August 2010
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"Eddie Jo Paskell-McIntyre",
San Francisco, California August 2010
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"Anonymous woman",
Sacramento, California August 2010
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"Angela Blackwell",
Oakland, California August 2010
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"Anonymous woman at the CCSF Fashion Show", San Francisco, California May 2010
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"Crisanta Soller",
Oakland, California August 2010
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"Pat Cosgrove",
El Cerrito, California August 2010
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"Street Merchant Diana", Berkeley, California July 2010
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"Foad Satterfield",
Oakland, California August 2010
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"Ben Tucker",
Oakland, California August 2010
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"Marshall Berman",
Oakland, California August 2010
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"Anonymous Gray Man",
Oakland, California September 2010
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"Robert DeMersseman",
Rapid City, South Dakota July 2010
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"Anonymous woman at the Fillmore Street Jazz Festival",
San Francisco, California July 2010
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"Lauren",
Oakland, California July 2010
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"Fillmore Street Merchant," San Francisco, California July 2010
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"Gregory and Kitson" San Francisco, California 2010
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"Ilana at The Elite Cafˇ", San Francisco, California July 2010
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"Lewis Watts" Berkeley, California 2010
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"Carmen", Oakland, California 2010
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"Merchant at the International Food Expo" San Francisco, California 2010
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 David Kafton, Berkeley, California 2010 |
"Anonymous woman shopper, Downtown Berkeley, California 2009"
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 "Barbara Cabral, San Francisco, California 2010" |
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Crisanta at Berkeley event, California 2009
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"Jan" Berkeley, California 2010
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 "Marcela 2010" |
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"Patricia Bulitt" Berkeley, California 2010
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The famous motorcycle escort, Oakland, California 2010
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 Arnold Perkins, Oakland, California 2010 |
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"Anonymous Traveler" Denver, Colorado July 2010
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"Jude" Berkeley, California 2010
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"Dexter" Rapid City, South Dakota July 2010
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Copyright Raymond Holbert 2010: Use of these images and or text is prohibited without permission from the author.
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