San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge - Day 2

What can you do different when shooting the iconic Golden Gate Bridge? Nothing..it's been shot atleast a million times now! Of course..try shooting it at sunrise or sunset...there is quite some drama in the sky and in the ocean !


Having missed the sunrise at Fort Point ( disastrous way to start a "photography trip" ), off we set to step foot on the iconic landmark. Morning and mid-noon was spent covering the span of the bridge on foot...beautiful weather again. Nothing like standing on the Golden Gate Bridge with the wind in your face, sounds of the traffic on the US 101...and a hot cup of tea in you hands... heaven! Finally I found out why the "Golden gate bridge" was actually not golden...

Come sunset, and we were headed towards Marine Headlands- mainly the Hawk Hill lookout (GPS coordinates - 37°49’40.29N 122°29’57.75W) and Battery Spencer( 37°49’39.32N 122°28’53.67W). Perhaps the best place to shoot the bridge even during a fog. I love this city, it's got so much of beauty to offer. Shooting long exposures of the bridge at sunset was a fantastic experience( fingers almost numb with the freezing wind and cold...and no cup of tea :(   )

I was quite satisfied what what I got...now I know I have to capture that sunrise at Fort Point the next time I visit SFO ( a reason to visit :D )

San Francisco - Day 1, Nobb Hill, Fishermans Wharf

After driving through a torrent rain entire night on Interstate 5 with visibility almost nil, we arrived after midnight at San Francisco . Our accommodation was in the Nobb Hill area. The advantage of booking your accommodation here is most of the must see tourists sights are easily accessible( Fisherman's Wharf, Cable Car Museum, China Town and of course the Golden Gate Bridge).

Breakfast was at The Crepe House on Polk Street. Polk Street and its vicinity definitely rocks!  Polk Street is fun, great photo opp for street photography. Their egg plant crepe with fresh basil and tomatoes was lovely. The cafe boasts of lovely rich and colorful interiors . The building right at the corner of Polk and Washington looked Victorian and enticing to shoot a HDR here.


The weather was fantastic - I still receive queries on how the hell did I get such a clear blue sky which is depicted in my photos of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Apparently this is not typical of SFO . Well... what the heck - I tell people I was looking to shoot in the fog( which is typical of SFO), so now it boils down to "being at the right place at the right time"..LOL...it's tough to explain to people that one shoots landscapes only at sunset or sunrise...







Lunch was at the Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe on Market Street - famous for its San Francisco sourdough French bread. Loved the ambiance here. Quite surprised to see bread in various forms and shapes - that of starfish, crabs, aligators and crocodiles - the Wharf has it's effect on the Boudin bakery as well!  The famous Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf within walking distance was our next destination. A bit disappointed with the much talked about Ghirardeli Chocolate factory - the factory is closed now. There's a chocolate shop "The Original Chocolate Shop". 







San Francisco's maritime museum along Pier 45 - the USS Pampanito a World War 2 sub. By this time, I was in love with San Francisco - this city has life and a fresh air. A place I would love to re-visit anytime. The weather was fantastic - I still receive queries on how the hell did I get such a clear blue sky which is depicted in my photos of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Tunnels always fascinate me. A stop by at the Japanese Tea Gardens proved fruitful. I love tunnels...I always find them sinister. Finally, I was looking forward to shoot the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach. Not quite sure of the place, I planned our visit  an hour in advance before sunset :) Very very fruitful I should say, I was quite happy shooting the bridge at sunset with 4 photographers alongside me. Quite an achievement for Day1

San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge - Day 1

The Golden Gate Bridge ....from my early childhood days of my fav author -  Alistair Maclean's novel "The Golden Gate" , I had a  fantasy of visiting this place. What I dreamt was a "golden"  Golden Gate. Only Maclean could conceive such a devious  plot , I still remember the faint memories of a submarine waiting under the bridge to pick up the President

Well, now on my 2nd visist to SFO and armed with my 40D and a 16-35mm f/2.8 Canon and with my partner in life along, I could'nt have asked for a better visual come true Maclean story.

Possibly the most beautiful and certainly the most photographed bridge in the world. On our 1st day, we started off with a bay cruise from the famous Pier 39 that took us right below the bridge, around the Alcatraz and back again. A lovely sight, I could understand why every individual on that boat wanted their photographs clicked with the iconic symobol of San Francisco.

After having shot the bridge ( that was shot atleast a million times), we set off to Baker Beach. They say the Baker Beach is the best places to shoot the bridge with many different variations  of foreground elements. During sunset and after the  water recedes, the Golden Gate Bridge reflects in the wet sand , creating a lovely reflection and dance of lights. My MANU cap came useful since I could'nt find any foregroud element (drift wood...footprints etc). 

GPS coordinates: 37°47’27.81N 122°29’2.30W

Just after sunset which was around early 5:15PM, the beach was empty. Uncomfortable with the thought that we were going to be alone shooting the bridge on a cold night, the sight of 3 fellow comrades with tripods and camera gears brought a delight to our faces

Linking to Skywatch Friday