Shooting in San Francisco?

[jbf]

Hi all,

I'll be visiting San Francisco near the end of August and was wondering if someone coul dmention some good areas that would lend to some interesting locations and shots?

I'll be spending about ten days (accidentaly said weeks earlier) in San Fran... so I was hoping i could get in some good shots, etc. Anything off the beaten path or anything you have found interesting would be great.

Thanks all!

 

[RayPA]

Ten weeks! That's great. You'll have plenty of time to explore. San Francisco is a great city to shoot in. You really can't go wrong in any of the neighborhoods. With that much time you could even get over to the east bay (Berkeley) or up north into Marin county. Most visitors stay downtown. If that's the case for you and you like street photography or urban landscape-type shooting then definitely shoot in the Financial district (downtown), North Beach, Chinatown, south of Market (soma). From there just get out to some of the other neighborhoods and just walk around. It's a great walking/public transportation city (just watch out for the hills)


🙂

 

[jbf]

Woops I meant ten days. Haha.


I definately want to shoot in Chinatown and the financial district. I love architecture and urban photography. Im used to a more southern style of cities. (relatively flat cities with mostly flat skilines). So I'm looking forward to seeing some skyscrapers, etc. 🙂

 

[Bingley]

The Ferry Building and surrounding area is a great place for street photography (both inside the Ferry Building and outside along the Embarcadero). There's a farmers market in front of the Ferry Building on Saturday mornings. I would also recommend walking up Market Street for street photos; crowds congregate at the cable car turnarounds where California St and Powell St, respectively, meet Market St. For landscapes, don't miss Golden Gate Park, the Presidio (great views of the Marin headlands), Crissy Field and the Marina areas. And you may find some good shooting opportunities in North Beach, along Columbus Ave. where there are cafes and delicatessens. RayPA's suggestions too. Suggest checking out the Gallery photos of members w/ SF ties: RayPA, Rich Silfver, MelanieC, to name a few.

 

[agi]

Any area in the city of San Francisco and the Bay Area in general is great for photography. If you're a street shooter hit downtown, Union Square, the Mission, Haight, Chinatown, North Beach, GG Park, the Presidio, Crissy Field (don't miss Ft. Point), Embarcadero/Ferry Building & the ballpark, and the Wharf (watch out for the idiotic bushman who scares people for tips). A walk along Market Street is an adventure of the senses (good & bad - ha!).

If you do landscapes merely go across the bridge and you're in beautiful Marin. There are even places for landscapes in Golden Gate Park which has the new de Young museum, Sutro Baths, Ft. Funston. There's also Twin Peaks and the Randolph Museum area where you get the view of the entire city & bay.

One tip is to take the night tour to Alcatraz but book early as it sells out - in general if you're going to Alcatraz is to buy your tickets ahead of time (http://www.alcatrazcruises.com/). Another one is to go on those free city walking tours (http://www.sfcityguides.org/) where it's easier to snap away because well, you're a tourist and that's what you do. I've done this and locals have a tendency to not be shy of someone taking their pictures because they are more accomodating to tourist and you're with a group.

Anyway if you're looking for something specific let me know. Check out my photoblog as I'm always photographing in the City.

 

[jbf]

Ok my first huge question... Fog fog fog.

Here in the south (Arkansas and Georgia) we have fog season usually in October. I noticed you mentioned the "summer fog" in the SF area on your blog.

If i get out early int he morning will I have the chance to see fog, etc this time of year in SF?

Oh and I've heard of the bushman many times. Mainly from professors and friends who live or have been to the SF area many times. hah.


My main areas of interest in photography are light... anything from derelict light. That is, light coming from old abandoned buildings... to interesting lighting on architecture (both interior and exterior). But also I enjoy street photography (who doesnt here. haha).

As for the night tours of alcatraz... I'd love to be able to get to go to alcatraz... but i guess my main question is what is it like? Your confined to a group walking around alcatraz? I really would love to explore it with just one guide or something but Im sure thats out of the question.

Anyway i'll go through you guys' galleries that you mentioned tomorrow and hopefully come up with some more questions and/or ideas, etc.

Thanks so much guys!

 

[Bullwinkle]

Fog season

Fog season

Hi,

I'm a native and we're in the height of our fog season right now. In the western half of the city it's ridiculously foggy almost all day.

The fog usually clears by early September, so if you come in late August most of fog will be in early morning or evening.

By the way, the fog is greatest here when the central valley of California heats up (June, July) and sucks the fog straight through the only opening in the coastline at the mouth of the bay (the Golden Gate). By September, things start cooling down and the fog doesn't get sucked in as much.

 

[agi]

SF is a city of micro-climates. One part of the city can be socked in with fog and other parts warmer & sunny. In the summer, the Sunset and the Richmond, areas closer to the ocean are usually socked in with fog. Sometimes it burns off by noon, sometimes it lingers all day long like it has been lately. It all depends on mother nature. So to answer your question you are likely to hit fog but the closer it is to September, the weather does get warmer and the fog lifts faster.

For architecture hit Nob Hill, City Hall & Civic Center, downtown and the financial district. There's also the new de Young which is an architecture gem for some but for others..ehh. Also SFMOMA and the Palace of Fine Arts. For abandoned building go to parts of the Presidio, Sutro baths...well there's really no buildling left, Ft. Point which is on the base of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Tenderlion (which is not really the safest area in town but if you're brave enough but they have some really cool art deco signs there), Bayview district (again not really safe area), Potrero, SOMA, and China Basin/Mission Bay. The last few I mentioned have buidlings with great graffiti in them if that's your deal. On the outskirst there's Treasure Island, or in Alameda (East Bay) there's the Alameda Point Naval Air Station.

I've heard the night tour does allow you to go to places that are not generally open to the public but you will be with a group. I haven't done it myself but have been wanting to. I did miss a photo group that went together last year.

Hope that helps.

 

[Bullwinkle]

For architecture, what everyone said above would still apply. A walk through the Presidio and down Crissy Field passes by some interesting old military buildings. Also the Palace of Fine Arts. North Beach/Chinatown and the Mission has older interesting residential buildings, some of which may qualify as "derelict". Potrero Hill is a sunny, hilly, little neighborhood with spectacular views of downtown SF (no tourist attractions, though).

There is a Victorian era green house, The Conservatory of Flowers, in Golden Gate Park which has been recently restored (and thus not derelict). And the ruins of the Sutro Baths which are next to the Cliff House out by Ocean Beach. Definitely worth going to before sunset.

By the way, the Castro is always good for people shooting, too.

 

[collum]

Fort Point should be a high priority if you like architecture and the play of light and dark.

If you like ruins, then the Sutro Baths shouldn't be missed either