Category Archives: national park

How to photograph Alcatraz

2011/09/07 – 03:33

Alcatraz, the infamous penitentiary, is visible from the hills and beaches of San Francisco. It is San Francisco’s second most famous tourist destination, after the Golden Gate Bridge. Deceptively beautiful from a distance, the sheer cliffs, icy cold water, and treacherous currents made escapes from “The Rock” a futile attempt.

Authorities sent only the hardest criminals to this maximum-security facility. Among its famous residents were former Chicago mobster Al “Scarface” Capone, murderer George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and snitch Theodore “Blackie” Audett. The design of “The Rock” served to intimidate the criminals while it simultaneously reminded them of their lost freedom, due to the close proximity to San Francisco.
Alcatraz Broadway shot with Fisheye Lens

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Coast, flowers, golden gate, Island, landmark, Marine, Museum, Northern California, San Francisco, Skyline | Tagged , | Comments (2)

Wall Street Mill – Joshua Tree NP

2010/12/15 – 06:11

The Wall Street Mill hike in Joshua Tree National Park is a welcome distraction from the beautiful desert landscape. Old ruins, several weathered cars, and a macabre gravesite and other superb subjects await hikers on the short trail that ends at Wall Street Mill, an old gold stamp mill.

A hearty prospector, William (Bill) F. Keys, owned the mill and built a ranch around it. He was able to carve a life from this unforgiving landscape, leaving an abundance of highly photogenic evidence, including a headstone that he erected for a person he shot in a dispute.

Today, only photographers shoot here. If you love ghost towns or the Old West, you should take the short trail and discover an unchanged piece of the Wild West.
head on

By myphotoscout | Also posted in desert, hike, Joshua Tree, park, San Bernadino, Southern California | Tagged , , | Leave a Comment

Cholla Cactus Garden – Joshua Tree NP

2010/12/08 – 05:17

Man-sized cacti in a beautiful mountainous landscape characterize the Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park, a desert park full of life and wondrous shapes. The fascinating shape of these cacti and the large variety can yield stunningly beautiful photographs, yet not too many photographers find their way to this remote location just a couple of hours from Los Angeles.

Joshua Tree National Park is known for its namesake, the Joshua Tree, and for the fantastic rock climbing unique to the park. However, the cactus garden will present you with a good solid shooting opportunity that you should not miss.
Cholla Cactus Garden

By myphotoscout | Also posted in desert, Joshua Tree, night, park, San Bernadino, Southern California | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

How to photograph the San Francisco Maritime Museum

2010/10/14 – 04:48

Ahoy Sailors and Photographers! Step on the historic Hyde Street Pier vessels and back in time. Discover a piece of California’s marine history at San Francisco’s Maritime National Historic Park.

San Francisco’s history is that of a seafaring people. Ships brought the first conquistadores, the gold diggers, and the settlers and hauled goods back to the old world. The Maritime Park aims to preserve this history and educate interested visitors. The easy access to these photogenic ships makes this also a prime location for photography. Even better, your fellow travelers can stay busy while you shoot a feature every travel photographer highly values.
<img class="size-full wp-image-1802" title="bulls-eye" src="http://myphotoscout.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/bulls-eye.jpg" alt="Bulls Eye, San Francisco Maritime Museum" width="450" height="300" /

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, golden gate, Marine, Museum, Northern California, San Francisco, Skyline, Transportation | Tagged , | Comments (2)

How to photograph the Lost Burro Mine in Death Valley

2010/04/27 – 15:23

Lost Burro Gold Mine is a remote mining camp in Death Valley’s backcountry. Extremely well preserved due to the dry winds and a curse that keeps people from stealing items, the mine is an exceptional destination for photographers. The mining camp is located in a narrow side canyon that provides good shooting opportunities.

The roughnecks who braved the hard conditions of Death Valley didn’t get rich, but left an account of their lives behind that still fascinates visitors 100 years later.

Due to the remote location, you will most likely have the mine to yourself. Nobody will get in your way but nobody will help you if you get into trouble either. Take your time and discover the fascination of the old mining camps spread throughout the mountains of Death Valley.
Thieves will be prosecuted: Lost Burro Mine

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, Ghost Town, hike, Panamint Mountains, scenic drive, Southern California | Tagged , , | Comments (5)

How to photograph the Death Valley Racetrack

2010/04/22 – 04:57

The Racetrack Playa is a uniquely fascinating feature of Death Valley. A mysterious force moves the rocks across the lakebed, leaving intriguing tracks in the dry lakebed. Nobody can back up any theory with conclusive evidence, since no one has been able to observe the rocks actually moving, yet.

The tracks are a favorite subject for photographers and for visitors who muse over the mystery. Those who take the long and harsh drive to this remote valley reap plentiful rewards. No picture can prepare you for the fascination that will grip you once you walk on the playa and see the tracks. No other photo subject is like this.

The Racetrack is also one of the best places in California for celestial photography. Mountains surround the Racetrack Playa on all sides, eliminating light pollution. I witnessed the clearest night of my life, with the stars appearing closer than ever before.

Visit the Racetrack for a once in a lifetime experience!
Death Valley Racetrack

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, Panamint Mountains, scenic drive, Southern California, spring | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)

How to photograph Rhyolite

2010/04/20 – 17:27

Rhyolite is a shining example of high hopes and hard reality. The ghost town that boasted nearly 10,000 inhabitants in its heyday declined as quickly as it grew. Residents simply abandoned the city, starting after the financial unrest of 1907. Today the city is one of the most famous ghost towns near Death Valley and a superb destination for photographers seeking to explore the west.
Old Car in Rhyolite

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, Ghost Town, Southern California | Tagged , , , , | Comments (5)

Death Valley Wildflower Update

2010/04/08 – 23:04

Even the hottest and driest place in California harbors life. Wildflower seeds hibernate years below the surface waiting for a tiny drop of water. After the El-Nino rains shower the desert, life shifts into overdrive. Colorful flowers pop up and cacti put on a show, competing for pollinators, spectators, and photo-creators.
Death Valley Flowers

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, Southern California, spring, wildflowers, Wildlife | Tagged , , , , | Comments (6)

How to photograph Aguereberry Point

2010/02/02 – 17:35

Aguereberry Point is located high above Death Valley in the Panamint Mountains. It is the western cousin of Dante’s view, which is located in the Black Mountains on the opposite side of Death Valley. Agueberry Point thus is the best place to photograph the valley in the late afternoon with the sun in your back. Despite its unrivaled views of Death Valley to the east, Aguereberry Point does not see much tourist traffic.

On a visit in early January 2010, we were completely alone and could enjoy the peacefulness this remote location offers. The only sound came from my camera shutter, as I captured the fleeting light.
View from Aguereberry Point

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, Panamint Mountains, Southern California | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (2)

How to photograph Father Crowley Point

2010/01/15 – 16:55

Father Crowley viewpoint displays sweeping views of the colorful Panamit Valley and Panamit Range. The short drive and conveniently accessible location make this a great place to get in the mood for a weekend in Death Valley. Depending on the weather conditions, you can walk away with dramatic images.
Panamit Mountains as seen from Father Crowley Point

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Death Valley, desert, Southern California | Tagged , , , , | Comments (2)
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 457 other followers