A particular highlight of this week's First Thursday open galleries at 49 Geary (and elsewhere around town) is a show of exquisite, large-scale color photo portraits by Richard Learoyd at the Fraenkel Gallery. Each unique direct-positive image is made with a giant camera that is basically two rooms with a lens mounted between them. This modern day Vermeer has had one of his portraits attracting unprecedented buzz at SFMOMA over the past few months, and now here's a chance to bask in the magnificent glow of dozens more of his masterworks, even for those of us who can't afford the tens of thousands of dollars to take one home.

Richard Learoyd: Presences
Opening reception Thursday, May. 5th, 5:30-7:30 pm, daily through June 25th.
Fraenkel Gallery
49 Geary, Fourth Floor