Ruth Bernhard said, "Light is my inspiration, my paint and brush."

A native New Yorker, Ethel was seduced by San Francisco and moved out west several years ago. Reflected in Ethel's photography is her interest in architecture, city scenes and abstract images.

An early love of photography was encouraged by her father's gift of her first 35mm camera; soon friends and family began requesting copies of her work. Today her work is sold through galleries and on her website.

"The less you try, the more you find" is one of Ethel's guiding principles. She believes in serendipity. She chooses a location and walks around soaking in the character of her surroundings allowing photographs to reveal themselves. Setting out and letting things unfold has led to some interesting images. She shoots subjects that appeal to her and hopes they will resonate with the viewer.

Over the past few years, Ethel has been drawn to the night and increasingly finds herself shooting at twilight and into the evening. The night has a magical transformative quality that gives everyday objects a special appeal.

Mostly self-taught, Ethel studied photography at UC Berkeley Extension. Loyal to her 35mm camera, she still shoots film. Each print is a chromogenic print, printed on archival paper and mounted on an acid free mat.

Ethel's work has been auctioned for the benefit of the Mexican Museum, Visual Aid, ArtSpan and other charities.

Coit Tower

Along the Embarcadero