Happily for anyone who’s interested in San Diego underground culture of the ’80s or insightful photography of any stripe, San Diego expat Harold Gee wrote to inform me he’s warming up the scanner to add more images to his definitive Flickr set.
One of the great things about Harold’s collection is all the comments he’s amassed over the years from peers who’ve recognized themselves and their friends. Hence, he’s starting with this group shot from March 1985 and hoping that the folks in the photo will help set the scene.
“This is a coupla decades ago, so it would be cool if you’d name yourselves,” Harold writes. “I really appreciate that. I’m beginning to look at all these photos as a work in progress rather than trying to get each one as perfect as I can make it. This one was scanned from a 5″ x 7” print, but it could be potentially better if scanned from the negative.
“I didn’t fix this one up all that much…there’s tons of dust and so forth. I’m just trying to be realistic…there’s a lot of photos.”
I’m looking forward to seeing them — and hoping the participants will chime in on Harold’s page!
Great photo Harold! Looking forward to seeing more. -- Dean
I’m willing to sign any petition that will urge Mr. Gee to add to his photo archive!
Look how cute Megan is!
Great, Great Photo
Would love to see more. Make sure you let us know if more are posted like that one.
Harold, you know I have always been a HUGE FAN of yours, in many ways. I think it was a year ago, when Todd and I werre first working on the GOGO IMPOSSIBLE memoir, that we sent you a message asking you to troll your albums for more great photos of that event, and modsters in general. at the time, you were not quite ready…so it is great to see you have done some work and you are now ready to share more of your timeless photos! You were visionary! How clever you were to have the foresight to take so many greaty photos of the musical misfits in SD… early on in its development. You paved the way for other photographers and documentarians of the Che Nation; who would follow in your footsteps as time went on.
I knew you as a friend of Sarah Spry long before I realized wht a talent behind the camera you are. But I owe you for capturing some great images and can’t wait to see more.
Many people already know that it is you who shot that now ICONIC photograph of Todd and Me smiling together on Market Street, approaching the MultiMedia Arts Gallery on Opening Night of “GOGO IMP”. Your black & white photo is a pure classic. Your photo caught the two of us with our arms full of Dunkin Munchkin donut holes and other sweet treats; whioch we later served to GGIMP attendees along with Hi-C and jello-shots!
And, i remember the flash of your bulbs as you took our picture…it was such a thrill for us young art pineers! Harold, You were our first brush with the PAPARAZZI!!!ALLELULUJAH, Harold…allelujah! Todd loved that photo as much as I do!! And we had no idea what a hit the weekend would be! Wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, the world was our oyster that moment in time…and your photo captured it all. that is what makes you such a good photographer—your photos have soul and they tell stories.
Your photos are appreciated by & important to a tremendous number of people, and have an audience far beyond our immediate Che Circle. I think it is fantastic that you have nurtured a gift like this, that keeps giving and gaining value as time goes on. Keep the photos coming, Harold. You and your pictures are irreplaceable!