Extraordinary Photographs Of 1940-1950's San Francisco

American Fred Lyon has been mastering the art of photographer for seven decades. Even today, he’s considered one of the most prolific and highlight sought after photographers of a generation.
And with the good reason.
Commercial photography since the 1940′s has been led, inspired and influenced by Lyon – such is the quality and consistency of his work. His flawless photographs have been featured in the likes of TIME, Sports Illustrated, Fortune and LIFE to name a few.
But aside from working in the fields of advertising, architecture, food, travel and even interior design – his true passion lays in his hometown of San Francisco.

In the 40′s & 50′s San Francisco was on an upswing, everybody was looking to the Orient and we were the closest to it. People were building and enjoying all the things they hadn’t been able to during the war. Who could resist the town that had funny little cable cars and a tower on top of a hill and the bridges that wouldn’t stop? – Fred Lyon

His book ‘San Francisco Then‘ depicts San Francisco post-war during the restorative 1940s and thriving 1950′s. Life was a little less cluttered and little less frantic back then, with the charm of one of America’s most loved cities there for all to see. Even today at age 89, he still enjoys photographing his continuously evolving and culturally diverse hometown.

Below are a few of his remarkable photographs from the series itself. It’s an extraordinary look back at America’s history, preserved with grace, beauty and poise by one of the finest in the business.

You can purchase copies of his numerous photographic works right here