Category Archives: Gold Country

How to photograph the Governor’s Mansion

2010/11/17 – 04:58

The magnificent Victorian era Governor’s Mansion is the former residence of several of California’s most influential Governors, including President Ronald Reagan. The tall house is full of memorabilia of each former inhabitant. You can visit the house, accompanied by a guide with a bag of amusing stories. The tour of the house will afford you a unique perspective on these powerful individuals. Learning about their respective quirks makes them appear more human.

The house is also a delightful, but challenging, photography subject. The details, colors, and textures of the furniture, carvings, and paintings are stunning and can keep you busy. Torn between the stories and the visual feast, you will find the tour flies through the house at a quick pace.

If you come to Sacramento, you should consider visiting the Governor’s Mansion. You won’t regret it.
Govenor's Mansion Formal Parlor

By myphotoscout | Also posted in central valley, landmark, Museum, Northern California, Sacramento, state park | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park

2010/10/20 – 04:53

Withstanding the development boom in Sacramento’s Downtown, Stutter’s Fort claims a large block of prime real estate. It is a monument to the frontier spirit of early California settlers and to globetrotting John Sutter.

John Sutter, a self-made emigrant from Germany, built the fort as a trading post after traveling for years and making a name for himself. His influence grew and his generosity was legendary, until the discovery of gold attracted too much attention and he lost a lot of his fortune.
Rifles at Sutter's Fort

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Fort, Museum, Northern California, Sacramento, state park | Tagged , , | Comments (4)

How to photograph the California State Capitol

2010/10/06 – 06:06

The California State Capitol is located in the heart of Sacramento, in a large landscaped park. It is the seat of California’s government, the location of bitter budget battles in the debt-ridden state, and the governor’s office, a position of power and humiliation. It is also a shining beacon of hope and endless optimism that fuels California since the gold rush, and a fantastic example of neoclassical architecture that dominates the administration buildings of the United States.

The California Capitol was indeed modeled after the US capitol in Washington D.C. Upon completion in 1870, its construction did cost the California taxpayers 25 times its original estimate. Splendor has created Sacramento’s most noteworthy attraction, adorned with public arts displays and antique furnishings. The California State Capitol is one of the most rewarding buildings to photograph.
California State Capitol

By myphotoscout | Also posted in central valley, landmark, night, Northern California, park, Sacramento, state park | Tagged , | Comments (3)

The California State Railroad Museum

2010/09/29 – 05:15

Travel back in time to the golden era of train travel and discover the most beautiful transportation machinery ever conceived in the California State Railroad Museum. It upholds the title of “Largest Railroad Museum in North America” with an impressive collection of fire breathing and steam puffing iron horses.

At some point it must have been every child’s dream to steer one of these monsters and be the hero of other like-minded children. At least it was mine, as I observed the last of the giant steam locomotives put on a show of a giant white plume of smoke while blowing their deafening air-horns. Eventually, smaller and more efficient diesel electric locomotives replaced these beautiful machines and I grew up to become something else. However, the romantic mystique of the steam engines stayed with me to this day.

Transcontinental Railroad

By myphotoscout | Also posted in central valley, Museum, Northern California, Sacramento, state park, Transportation | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)

How to photograph Sacramento Old Town

2010/09/22 – 03:17

Gunslingers, cowboys, and tough railroaders mingle with candy store kids, baby stroller pushers, and gawking tourists in Old Sacramento, the historic downtown core of Sacramento. Beautifully restored buildings, dating back to the 19th century, divulge authentic western town flair, just a few blocks from the modern, slick city blocks of the business district.

Book a scenic train ride with a historic steam locomotive or an exclusive horse carriage ride through the streets of Old Sacramento, visit one of the superb museums, sample the candy store offerings, and dine in a restaurant overlooking the Sacramento River. The entertainment options and tourist traps will keep your family happy while you can indulge in the superb photography opportunity of Old Sacramento.

Despite the convenient location and being one of Sacramento’s most notable tourist attractions, Old Town was not at the top of my to-do list, but I was pleasantly surprised during my first visit and I kept discovering superb compositions and came to appreciate this area on my second and third visits. Allow the atmosphere to catch you and you too will be pleasantly surprised.
Old Town Sidewalk

By myphotoscout | Also posted in central valley, Northern California, Sacramento, state park | Tagged , , | Comments (7)

How to photograph Columbia SHP

2009/09/24 – 15:33

At the Sierra Nevada foothills lies the town of Columbia, home to one of California’s most interesting historic parks.

During the time of the California Gold Rush, Columbia quickly became California’s second largest city. Today’s historic park covers several city blocks maintained in their original 1850s style, complete with folks in period customs working the shops, offering stagecoach rides or performing crafts like blacksmithing. The rangers and volunteers did a good job maintaining the park for us to enjoy.
Wells Fargo Stage Coach

By myphotoscout | Also posted in central valley, Northern California, Sierra Nevada, state park | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

How to photograph Daffodil Hill

2009/03/31 – 05:33

Daffodil Hill adds color to the Gold Country and draws crowds of visitors from near and far. More than 300,000 daffodils inhabit the small privately owned ranch that opens to the public each spring. People come here to enjoy the weather while flower-gazing and picnicking. Volunteers maintain the grounds and oversee visitors.
Daffodil Hill Flowers

By myphotoscout | Also posted in flowers, Northern California, Seasonal, spring | Tagged , , , , | Comments (6)

How to photograph Malakoff Diggins SHP

2009/03/26 – 14:55

The old water cannons used to rip through the landscape in a mad dash for gold are silent witnesses of the California gold rush, when many came here in pursuit of wealth, happiness and a better life. In a way, California’s largest hydraulic mine still symbolizes the California dream, shattered and rebuilt so many times.

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Northern California, Sierra Nevada, state park | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (1)
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