From the empty roads, makeshift signs, and boarded-up windows to the simmering anxiety and isolation — it’s hard to describe in words the surreal disruption of the early pandemic.
That’s why, as we approached the fifth anniversary of the Covid-19 global outbreak, we asked seven street photographers to share their most memorable images of the lockdown in San Francisco.
Their pictures capture stark contrasts of isolation and resilience — silent avenues, masked figures, and fleeting moments of human connection. They convey the raw emotion of a city in flux, offering a visual archive of the time.
The photographers weren’t just documenting these scenes but living through them, bearing witness to an unprecedented moment in history.
“The images from the pandemic that have stayed with me are those of disconnect, confusion, and despair. The crisis magnified existing inequalities, making it painfully clear how differently the pandemic affected the less fortunate compared to those with more resources. The stark contrast in experiences underscored deep societal divides.”
“Covid-19 was a lonely time, but it also made me appreciate photography’s power to connect people even more. Social distancing made it challenging to meet others and create the work I love, but it also pushed me to find new ways to capture the world around me.”
“It was interesting to observe the exteriors of luxurious spaces that rarely exhibit any sign of vulnerability being compelled to reveal a sense of vulnerability like everyone else … momentarily mirror[ing] the fate of the mom-and-pop shop down the street. … These photographs instilled in me a profound sense of unity and equality, reminding me that we were all navigating this challenging situation together.”
“I can’t name any moment or image in particular, but more of a feeling. Almost like an empty feeling both figuratively and literally. It seemed like even with the absence of traffic on the streets, the city spoke louder than ever. I think the voice grew louder and the message was clear: we needed each other as we navigated the whirlwind of 2020.”
“When I think about my photography from the pandemic, the handful that stand out most are from a walk that I took around Union Square, Chinatown, and the Financial District shortly after the shelter-in-place order. Aside from a handful of others wandering the streets, the city felt eerily deserted. I remember the weight of that moment and the realization that life would be forever changed, not just in San Francisco.”
“I remember a week or so before Covid hit, I was working the Morgan Stanley conference, and Covid was the only thing anyone was talking about. The next day, Dreamforce (San Francisco’s biggest conference), was canceled. That’s when I knew this was gonna be a big deal.”
“The images that resonated most with me through the pandemic were the signs and rules people posted. Some from the official guidelines, while others were entirely homemade, reflecting people’s individual fears, frustrations, and attempts to maintain order in the disorganized hell of the pandemic.”