Category Archives: Northern California

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, Gold Country, landmark, Museum, Sacramento, state park | Tagged , , , | Comments (1)

Tule Elk Reserve and Pierce Point Ranch

2010/11/04 – 04:24

The majestic Tule Elk, a subspecies of elk native to California, living at Point Reyes now number over 400 animals, making it the largest herd in California. After becoming nearly extinct just a few decades ago, this is one of the biggest success stories of conservation.

You have a very good chance of spotting these magnificent creatures, while hiking along the windswept Tomales Point Trail, north of historic Pierce Point Ranch, a former buttery dairy. The elk are friendly and used to hikers, making them easy subjects. The Tule Elk Reserve is thus one of the best wildlife photography spots in California.
Tule Elk Bull

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Coast, Fall, hike, National Seashore, Point Reyes, Wildlife | Tagged , , | Comments (6)

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, Gold Country, Museum, Sacramento, state park | Tagged , , | Comments (4)

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, national park, San Francisco, Skyline, Transportation | Tagged , | Comments (2)

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, Gold Country, landmark, night, 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, Gold Country, Museum, 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, Gold Country, Sacramento, state park | Tagged , , | Comments (7)

San Francisco’s Civic Center and City Hall

2010/09/08 – 03:36

The Beaux Arts City Hall is the crown jewel of San Francisco’s Civic Center. Completed in time for the Panama Pacific Exposition in 1915, it dominates the area.

The trees of Civic Center Plaza that lead toward City Hall from the east and the War Memorial and Fulton Street that lead toward the City Hall from the west are similar to East Seaton Park and E. Capitol Street leading toward the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. However, San Francisco’s City Hall is taller than the Capitol in D.C.

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, landmark, San Francisco | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (2)

How to photograph Filoli

2010/09/01 – 05:24

The owner of California’s richest Gold Mine and water trader William Bowers built a lavish estate south of San Francisco, naming it Filoli. It is one of the few remaining estates of that period and the only one open to the public in the San Francisco Bay Area. Even Hollywood recognized the potential of this location. They famously featured the mansion in the 1980ies hit TV show “Dynasty” and several feature films, making it one of the best-known secrets in the Bay Area.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation manages the estate with an iron fist. Volunteer enforcers stand by with a head full of facts and policies. They enjoy surrendering countless details and chastising you for accidentally stepping on the lawn or for other small offenses. Manage to avoid the drill sergeants and a Georgian mansion set in a huge 16-acre garden on a 654-acre property is all yours to explore. At least the parts you can see from the official walkways.
Filoli - Carrington Mansion

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, flowers, landmark, Museum, park, San Francisco | Tagged , , , | Comments (7)

How to photograph Mono Lake

2010/08/18 – 04:50

Mono Lake is one of California’s most prominent photographic icons. Countless photographers travel to this remote area to photograph the alien landscape, courtesy of Los Angeles’ unquenchable thirst for California’s precious water resources. Avoiding the dry death of Owens Lake, Mono Lake levels are rising again, thanks to the tireless efforts of conservationists.

Tufa, the dramatic rock spires protruding from the seabed, stand testament to the value of the water resource and the ecologic systems depending on it. Yet, in its unnatural state, the lake is most beautiful. Photographers appreciate the unusual formations, reflections, and colors.

Easily accessible, Mono Lake is a treasure that everyone can own. Showing up is all it takes to take good photographs. If you are willing to stay after dark and bring your own light source, you can create bizarre yet gorgeous masterpieces.
Mono Lake Nautilus

By myphotoscout | Also posted in hike, lake, mono county, Sierra Nevada, state park | Tagged , , , | Comments (8)
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