Neon - 30 years in the making

This book of neon photographs was originally produced for a creative arts class at San Francisco State University in 1979. The book was printed using the then-novel technology of a color photocopier, and over each copy was a clear sheet of acetate, which recreated the movement and shimmer of a neon sign glowing in the night. The text was painstakingly added using rub-on letters.

When I turned it into my professor, she commented that I should consider publishing it. At the time, I didn’t have the time or resources to find an agent or publisher, and put it aside for three decades.

Now my son is an art student at the same university and is an accomplished photographer, which makes me proud beyond words. Today’s technology now makes publishing this book possible. Photos from the original book are on the right-hand pages in the original order. Added now on the facing left-hand pages are additional photos that were taken for the project but omitted from the original book, as well as few more recent photographs. In the back is a listing of the signs, where they were located, and the sign’s fate, if known.

I hope you enjoy these images from the past.