Re: San Francisco

[Bertha Adamson <badamson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert Lynch wrote:
> 
> At 05:18 PM 5/25/00 EDT, EHollan100@xxxxxxx wrote:
> >Annual photo trip is planned to San Francisco.  Can anyone recommend some
> >good sites to shoot in IR?
> 
> I plan on trying the Palace of Fine Arts and Muir Woods, but this will only
> be my second trip to SF.

This is for both Gene and Robert. Gene, it sounds as though you will have more
time and can venture farther afield.

When I lived in that area it was in the southern and eastern portion of the
bay, and I didn't get into S.F. frequently enough to really know it, but I
will try to help. Also, if you are AAA member, they have good maps of the city
of San Francisco and of the bay area.

Yes, the Palace of Fine Arts is good. I forget which square has the famous
shot of colorful row houses and city skyline in the background, but it has
been done to death in color although I don't recall any infrared versions. If
you want interesting views of the Golden Gate and the Golden Gate Bridge there
are three or four places. In the Presidio, there are a couple of overlooks
(off Lincoln Blvd?) where the bridge is framed by foliage.  Also, Fort Point
is an interesting historical site directly below the  bridge at the S.F. end.

If you cross the bridge (toll payment required for car travel) the first exit
is a viewpoint parking lot. At the next exit you can head back under Rt. 101
and take a road that goes along the cliffs that guard the northern side of the
Golden Gate. (If you have a fear of heights or edges, as I do, this road can
be a little nerve-wracking.) You will have a great (and often windy) view of
the city, the bridge, the gate, and the bay. This is part of the Golden Gate
Nat'l Rec. Area and there are former military and Coast Guard installations in
the area. Pt. Bonita has a lighthouse on a pinnacle reached by a bridge, but
the hours can be quite limited, so call and check first. This is on the way to
Muir Woods.

I love Redwoods - they are definitely in my top four favorite places on earth
to visit. However, they are a pain in the !&% to shoot. Tall trees tend to
restrict light so you get brilliant shafts piercing the dim light, i.e. it is
usually very contrasty. You also pretty much need a tripod. So go to Muir
Woods (or one of the area's other redwood forests - Big Basin is good) because
they are awesome and count your blessings if you get good lighting conditions.

Go to the Wine country if you can.  You can find picturesque vineyards and
farms all over, especially on the side roads.  The road signs are sometimes
inadequate and frustrating, so if you don't like random exploring, stick close
to a main road like 29 (although 29 itself is pretty boring as it goes right
through several towns). The Silverado Trail is parallel to 29 but much more
photogenic. Remember, limit your wine tasting if you are driving! ;-)

Farther afield: California oaks along the hillsides bordering I-680 from
Fremont to Walnut Creek; Pigeon Point Lighthouse on Rt. 1 between S.F. and
Santa Cruz; and, of course, Carmel and Monterey - the Mission foliage can be awesome.

This is all I can think of right now.

> Actually, I was just about to post my own SF question.  I will be there for
> a business trip about 10 days from now.  I plan on packing light.  Can
> anyone recommend a well stocked photo store in the dowtown area (preferably
> near Union Square/financial district/Moscone Center) where I can get HIE
> and any thing else I might decide to use depending on the weather and time
> constraints?

I couldn't remember the main stores so I checked out a directory on the web.
There is a Calumet, 2001 Bryant Street, 415-643-9275. Also, I recall that
Adolph Gasser was a major supplier (although maybe not the cheapest?) with two
locations: 5733 Geary Blvd., 415-751-0145 and 181 2nd Ave., 415-495-3852 (I
think this one is in the area you want).

Also, S.F. may be in California, but summer temperatures can range from 50 to
100 all over the region. And it can be wet. Pack a variety of layers and an umbrella.

Bertha
-- 
Email:  badamson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.netcom.com/~badamson/
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