Category Archives: San Francisco

How to photograph from Corona Heights Park

2012/01/08 – 16:31

Corona Heights Park is the only place in San Francisco that offers a true 360 degree unobstructed vista. The former quarry does not show up in most guidebooks. Corona Heights is thus, mostly a local hang out spot and a dog’s playground.

The rocks are easy to climb, yet steep enough for superb unobstructed views. Randall Museum is located on the grounds of the park. It too has breathtaking views.

Corona Heights is the ideal place for scenic photography. Its views are less familiar than those of nearby Twin Peaks, yet often more spectacular.
Corona Heights

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, hike, landmark, Museum, night, Northern California, Skyline | Tagged , , | Comments (1)

Taking great pictures on top of the Golden Gate Bridge

2011/10/12 – 03:30

Take brilliant pictures of San Francisco from the top of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The iconic Golden Gate Bridge that spans the waters where the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean meet, symbolizes the Gold Rush and wealth of the Golden State of California. San Francisco’s most recognizable landmark is also its biggest tourist attraction. Featured in every travel publication, the Golden Gate Bridge is the most photographed attraction in California.

Although it is hardly possible to photograph this icon in a novel way, the hike across the bridge promises some distinct compositions that are harder to find than the most typical overview photographs. Hiking on this majestic bridge also lets you appreciate the marvelous accomplishment that this bridge represents.
Golden Gate South Tower

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, Coast, golden gate, hike, landmark, Northern California, NRA, Skyline, Transportation | Tagged , | Comments (4)

How to photograph Fort Mason

2011/09/21 – 01:59

Located on a small hilltop overlooking the entrance to San Francisco Bay, Fort Mason was the obvious choice for defensive fortifications. In the age of high tech weaponry, Fort Mason still makes a formidable base for high tech shooters of a different kind, photographers.

Throughout the years, the fort was home to Spanish and American troops and earthquake refugees and served as a port of embarkation for World War II.
Fort Mason roofs and Palace of Fine Arts

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, golden gate, Marine, Northern California, NRA, park | Tagged , , , | Leave a Comment

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, national park, Northern California, Skyline | Tagged , | Comments (2)

A Walk through Time in San Francisco’s Presidio’s Main Post

2011/07/07 – 05:52

Unravel the history of San Francisco’s Presidio and take great photos on a self-guided walking tour of the Main Post, the heart of the Presidio.

The former Spanish / Mexican / US military site is part of the National Park Service and in public hands since 1994. With over 200 years of military history, the park offers a unique combination of attractions for history buffs and photographers.

The stylish 19th century houses, lavish porches, and beautifully maintained gardens make this area of the park attractive to photographers. Most of the buildings serve as residences and offices and are thus off limits to exploration, but there is still much to see on the short walking tour.
Presidio Brick House Porch

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, golden gate, landmark, Museum, Northern California, NRA, park | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

Golden Gate Park: Stow Lake, Strawberry Hill, Botanical Garden

2011/06/01 – 02:55

Stow Lake, Strawberry Hill and the San Francisco Botanical Garden (Strybing Arboretum) are photogenic attractions inside the giant Golden Gate Park. Stow Lake surrounds Strawberry Hill, creating a picturesque artificial island. Strawberry Hill is also the highest point in Golden Gate Park, presenting good views of San Francisco. The Botanical Gardens lie next to Stow Lake, making a combined visit practical. Nearby you can also find the Japanese Tea Garden, the parks most famous attraction.
Stow Lake Footbridge

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, flowers, golden gate, hike, lake, landmark, Northern California, NRA, waterfall | Tagged | Comments (2)

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, Northern California, Skyline, Transportation | Tagged , | Comments (2)

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, Northern California | 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, Northern California, park | Tagged , , , | Comments (7)

How to photograph Fort Point

2010/06/02 – 04:51

Located beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, Fort Point’s spectacular views are legendary. The civil war fort that once protected the entrance to the San Francisco Bay also boasts historic exhibits and demonstrations and occasionally civil war re-enactments.

Fort Point has endured the times and is now a popular tourist attraction, providing education and exceptional photographic value. Joseph Strauss incorporated the fort into the design of the Golden Gate Bridge in order to preserve this historic site for future generations. From the top of the fort, you can almost touch the bridge arch, spanning across the fort and creating a perfect harmony of semi-modern bridge and historic fort.
Golden Gate from Fort Point

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, Coast, Fort, golden gate, landmark, lighthouses, Northern California, NRA, Skyline | Tagged | Comments (2)
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