Category Archives: Transportation

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, San Francisco, Skyline | 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, Northern California, San Francisco, Skyline | Tagged , | Comments (2)

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, Northern California, Sacramento, state park | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)

San Diego’s Best Night Photography Spots

2010/03/23 – 20:27

The old proverb, all colors will agree in the dark, is obsolete since the advent of color photography. In her infinite wisdom, Mother Nature gave us good eyesight at night. The reduced color vision is a small price to pay to see in the dark and not be eaten.

Then men invented color photography.

Now we can increase exposure time but retain color sensitivity in the dark. Suddenly, night is vibrantly colorful. The different color temperatures of the varied artificial light sources produce a wide color spectrum only visible to the camera. It is easy to dazzle viewers with night photography. Reason enough to explore the energetic city of San Diego at night.

Night photography is easy. A sturdy tripod, a cable release and patience will get you very good reproducible results. The additional effort keeps the competition away and the streets empty for your work.

San Diego is an appealing city to photograph at night. The San Diego Bay provides a splendid reflecting pool, the old gas lamps arrange for color and the varied subjects ensure diversity. Consider a night out on your next photo tour and take advantage of the changeling city.
USS Midway at Night from the Pier

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Coast, hike, landmark, park, San Diego, Skyline, Southern California, Street Photography | Tagged , | Comments (4)

The Santa Fe Depot in San Diego

2010/03/09 – 04:36

Located between the glitzy glass-facades of Downtown’s high-rise buildings, the elegant Mission-Revival style Santa Fe Depot grants San Diego’s business district the grandeur of an era long gone. The Depot witnessed the rapid development and yet resisted change and persists to delight the traveler with its chic.

The Santa Fe Railroad constructed the original terminal during the great western railroad expansion of the second half of the 19th century. The current Depot is the second incarnation, capable of handling the increased traffic volume of the first decades of the 20th century. Today, the Santa Fe Depot still serves as the largest transportation hub of San Diego.

Obviously, such an iconic and history laden building invites photography. Visit this remarkable station at the heart of Downtown San Diego.
Santa Fe Depot

By myphotoscout | Also posted in landmark, night, San Diego, Southern California | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (3)

How to photograph the USS Midway

2010/02/23 – 05:35

In active duty for nearly 50 years, the aircraft carrier USS Midway sailed to conflicts and participated in countless maneuvers around the world. Construction started in 1943. Upon completion in 1945, the USS Midway was the most advanced aircraft carrier in the fleet. She served until her decommissioning in 1992 and became a public museum in 2004. The USS Midway now anchors at the Navy Pier in San Diego, where you can visit and photograph the imposing ship.

With the superstructure towering nearly 70m above the port, and a crew of 4500, the USS Midway is a fully self-sufficient city at sea. She is the largest naval aviation museum, dominating the Navy Pier in Downtown San Diego.
USS Midway Flight Control Deck

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Coast, landmark, Marine, night, San Diego, Southern California | Tagged , , | Comments (5)

Los Angeles – El Pueblo and Union Station

2010/01/05 – 15:36

Los Angeles’ historic district is located close to the founding site of El Pueblo de Los Angeles, where 44 Mexican people founded the city in 1781. Restored in the 1930ies and embraced by the Latino culture, El Pueblo struggles to retain its authenticity among the kitschy shops selling anything that looks Mexican enough to fetch tourist dollars. Then again, El Pueblo protects some of the oldest buildings in Los Angeles and Latino culture has always had a colorful flair.
Los Angeles Union Station

By myphotoscout | Also posted in flowers, landmark, Los Angeles, Southern California, Street Photography | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

How to photograph Devil’s Slide

2009/07/21 – 06:56

Highway 1 is the most scenic route in California and very popular with tourists. One of the most beautiful stretches lies just south of Pacifica, where the road hugs the coast tighter and road closures are common in winter due to, you guessed it, slides and cracks caused by the unstable geography. The drive is treacherous even during good weather, but especially in the rain and at night. The curves are steep and sudden and the incredible scenic beauty of the landscape distracts drivers.
Car at Devils Slide

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, central valley, Coast, flowers, Northern California, San Francisco | Tagged , | Comments (3)

Little known Views of Marine Headlands

2009/06/23 – 12:56

Learn how you can combine a great hike with awesome views of the bay.
On a recent hike through the Marin Headlands, I discovered a unique view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Skyline that I had never seen before. Walking along one of the trails, we saw the Golden Gate peaking through the mountains and followed the trail to one of the best overviews. Despite the weekend, we were completely alone and could enjoy the view without the usual tourist traffic.
Marin Headlands View from the trail

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, Northern California, San Francisco, Skyline | Tagged , , , | Comments (5)

The Golden Gate Bridge from the North – Part 2

2009/03/17 – 07:26

The Golden Gate Bridge owes its name to the strait it crosses, where the San Francisco Bay meets the Pacific. Prospectors arrived here during the gold rush days and helped to finance the city. The new gold rush draws crowds to the iconic bridge itself. Replacing pans with cameras and shovels with tripods, we now seek our fortune in fantastic images instead of gold and the Golden Gate Bridge always delivers.

By myphotoscout | Also posted in Bay Area, golden gate, Northern California, San Francisco, Skyline | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)
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