Barbary Coast Now: An Ode to San Francisco

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The term "Barbary Coast" dates back to the mid-1860s, when gold seekers flocked to California from all across the globe in search of the precious yellow metal. San Francisco earned the nickname from its similarity to the notoriously dangerous Barbary Coast in Africa.

Nearly 160 years later, the comparison seems apropos to refer to the influx of young entrepreneurs and the hopeful tech startups who gave birth to "Silicon Valley" and dominate the business headlines today. In one generation, they have completely altered the culture of an entire city as it had been known just 20 years ago.

For almost a decade, Travis Jensen has recorded the subtle nuances of everyday people in San Francisco. His unique perspective turns ordinary circumstances into extraordinary encounters with people from all walks of life: the merciless venture capitalists of the Financial District to the effervescent personalities of the Tenderloin.

From quick snaps during his commute to purposeful searches for the perfect picture, Jensen has captured candid street portraits, urban landscapes, and poignant glimpses into the hearts and minds of the city's locals. Each photo is a testament to the tension in the juxtaposition of new versus old: the tech boom, rising housing costs, and displacement of long-term residents like himself.

With nothing but a camera lens, Barbary Coast Now paints an entirely new picture of San Francisco--one that is both beautiful and uncensored. There are no cliche postcard views of the Golden Gate Bridge or comforting scenes of the city from the sea. Instead, Barbary Coast Now follows the ups and downs of San Francisco, from World Series celebrations and culture parades to police brutality protests and hardcore street life.

In the United States and even across the world, San Francisco has a reputation for not only welcoming the idiosyncrasies of humankind but celebrating them. In 145 photographs that same spirit is brought to life and forever preserved as pieces of history from a city that irrevocably changes with each passing day.