Who shot these 1960s San Francisco photos? AI could provide clues
One man’s call for help uncovering a great mystery of 20th-century photography.
By Courtney Muro
What do you do when the past decides to find you? That’s the question commercial photographer Bill Delzell posed to me when he called last week.
He explained that a series of fortuitous events led him to a mysterious bag full of unprocessed film rolls taken in San Francisco during the 1960s, at some of the most culturally significant events that occurred during that time.
The lucky bidder
The early ’80s might not have had reality TV, but storage unit auctions were already brimming with drama. One picker unearthed a jackpot: a bag filled with 2,042 color slides and 177 rolls of meticulously labeled but unprocessed 35mm film, totaling more than 8,000 images. Over half of the film was left unprocessed, meaning that most of these images were never seen by the photographer who shot them. Enter Delzell, who got his hands on the negatives through his professional network.
Pieces of a puzzle
Delzell sent 5 random photos from the thousands in his possession to his friend who grew up in the Haight. Katy Kavanaugh — teacher and founder of Screen360.TV — called him immediately. “I see myself,” Kavanaugh told him, because she literally saw herself in the photo:
Among the throngs of activists marching in protest of the unjust treatment of migrant farmworkers, there she is: 5-year-old Katy walking across Dolores Street amidst a crowd, holding onto her sister’s stroller. This was 1968.
Just a few days later, Delzell got a call from a photo assistant he had worked with years before. She was good friends with Stanley Mouse — legendary poster artist for the Grateful Dead. Delzell told her about the photographs and sent an equally random selection of five images. When she showed them to Mouse, he spotted himself — half a century ago, walking through Golden Gate Park on his way to see The Dead.
A third face surfaced when Delzell shared a deck with a friend of Sacramento music venue Harlow’s owner, who used to work at the Fillmore. Through him, it eventually made its way to San Francisco-based photojournalist, Michael Zagares, who found himself in an image, on stage with Muhammad Ali. Ali was giving a speech and asked Zagaris if he had his draft card with him. When Zagaris handed it over, Ali burned it in front of the crowd. Zagaris still has what’s left of it.
These odds are looking good. Delzell’s early efforts to leverage his network to uncover clues are proving successful, and encouraging him to dedicate his time to following through with solving the mystery of the unknown photographer.
The stranger in the frame
“What happened to the photographer? Why was the film abandoned?” Delzell asked on Reddit.
We’ve seen this often in archive work and museums: stacks of photographs with no name, no date, and no clue as to who captured them. The phenomenon’s called found photography — anonymous snapshots unearthed in storage units, estate sales, or dusty museum archives — and it’s long fascinated collectors. These orphaned images leaving a tantalizing mystery in their wake.
At the Philadelphia Museum of Art, “Unidentified” is a surprisingly familiar label. Their archives house countless photographs of unknown origins, a testament to how often the names of creators vanish over time. Similarly, the Museum of Flight contends with images of unidentified individuals, like striking photos of women working in aviation during the 1940s.
“There’s a balance between information and imagination that allows you to actually interact with the truth (which is really weird and rare),” said Al Williams, publisher of Found Magazine in the 2000s.
“That’s when you sit down with your friends and try with great joy and eventual frustration to figure out what the fuck was going on in that gramma pic.”
How AI could help
My immediate reaction to Delzell’s story was, “Let’s develop the films and post them all over social and let the internet do its thing.” But Delzell is patient and plans to follow copyright — and that’s going to cost money and time.
He needs to raise $49,000 for a youth-centered student internship via his nonprofit — SpeakLocal — to process the 75 rolls of color film and curate the 8,000 photos. These interns will use immersive AI to create a collection that can be shared with educators and communities, mobilizing the community to join the search, submit video testimonials, and identify Bay Area locations.
Help solve the mystery
SpeakLocal has only reached $12,891 of its $49,000 goal, with just a week left on the campaign. This is surprising, given that everyone who hears the story is interested and enthusiastic. It seems it’s more of a problem of exposure than buy-in from those aware that it exists.
This isn’t just a project to identify a photographer — it’s a chance to preserve the untold stories of one of the most transformative periods in history. By piecing together these fragments, Speak Local is safeguarding the memories of a generation that reshaped the world.
If you’re a Bay Area local who might recognize a location, a history buff fascinated by the counterculture movement, or just someone who loves a good mystery, this project needs your help. Visit the Who Shot Me Kickstarter campaign before January 15th to contribute, explore the images, and join the search for the photographer who captured a pivotal moment in history.
Who shot these photos? Maybe the answer lies with you.
Courtney Muro is a San Francisco-based content strategist, producer, designer, and creator.
// We’re using images in this story provided by Bill Delzell, who cites the Fair Use Doctrine: A legal principle in the United States that allows for limited use of copyrighted material without the copyright holder’s permission. It’s intended to promote freedom of expression and creativity by allowing people to build upon prior works without unfairly depriving the copyright owner.
The Bold Italic publishes first-person stories on topics that are on the brains and lips of San Franciscans. We’re a hub for conversations to be heard and discussed, and we celebrate all that’s great about living in San Francisco and the Bay Area. We hope our continuing conversation will get you thinking, talking, and inspiring you to share your opinions with us on living in San Francisco.
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What we’re doing this week
Drag-cula — Fangs, fabulousness, and living greyscale realness
Picture this: the performers are decked out in "living greyscale," covering themselves in gray makeup to look like they’ve stepped straight out of a 1930s horror film—if that horror film also had goth rock, bondage jokes, and an audience hollering for more.
Hosted at SF Oasis, the story follows a hapless British lawyer who accidentally releases Count Dracula, a polyamorous, pansexual vampire who leaves a trail of seduction and scandal across 1930s London. With a playlist of 1980s goth rock bangers, the plot spirals into delightful chaos as a shibari-loving Van Helsing tries to stop Dracula’s sexy reign of terror.
WHEN: January 16 – February 1, 2025; Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00 PM
WHERE: OASIS, 298 11th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Hot Chocolate Run
The Hot Chocolate Run is back in San Francisco, combining fitness with a sweet reward. Runners of all levels can choose between 5K, 10K, or 15K routes, winding through the scenic paths of Golden Gate Park. Beyond the race, the event is known for its indulgent post-run treats, including a finisher's mug brimming with hot chocolate, marshmallows, and fondue for dipping. Participants also receive a premium full-zip jacket and a medal to commemorate the experience. Proceeds benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, adding a meaningful touch to the fun.
When: January 12, 2025
Where: Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
Happy Endings Show 6th Anniversary
If you’ve never been to a Happy Endings show: it’s like therapy, but funnier and with cocktails. For six glorious years, this reading series has turned writers, poets, and comedians loose onstage to share tales that somehow manage to wring humor out of life’s messiest moments.
Held at the Make-Out Room, expect stories that make you laugh-snort one minute and choke up the next, all while you clutch your drink like a lifeline. And with a lineup of crowd favorites and newcomers ready to spill their guts (figuratively, we hope), you’ll leave wondering why all your personal disasters aren’t this entertaining.
WHEN: January 14th, 2025, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m
WHERE: Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St., San Francisco
More details on their Instagram post
Also coming up
The SF Ballet Gala — A wild evening of elegance
Fancy people, fancier outfits, and a performance so stunning you’ll swear off Netflix (for one night, at least). The San Francisco Ballet Gala kicks off the year with champagne, pirouettes, and a dinner at City Hall that makes you feel far classier than you are. Whether you’re there for the art or just to drink bubbly under the marble rotunda, this night is peak San Francisco sophistication — before it devolves into slightly tipsy networking at the afterparty. Read our 2024 review, and here’s our 2023 review, too.
When: January 22, 2025
Where: San Francisco City Hall and War Memorial Opera House
It’s $$, but the after party is mildly affordable at $175 — and that ticket can be bought as a standalone.