Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge

I went looking for a view to see the whole bridge, but couldn't find a good vantage point on El Camino del Mar. There were places that once had a view, but trees now block sight lines. This is a typical tourist shot, but I was playing tourist that weekend.

I liked this view of the west tower with Treasure Island in the background and a hint of the East Bay hills to the left of the tower. This was my view on the way home from work for eight years. I never tire of seeing it.

The evening before I had been shooting in low light and I forgot to change my ISO back. Therefore this image was shot at ISO 1600. It has a bit of noise, but as an iconic image it works. I have not saturated any colors, but I did reduce the gamma to take out the haze. It was a beautiful day.

Bikes for rent-Market St., San Francisco

At the entrance to the Hyatt on Market Street bicycles line the street awaiting tourists. Passing by, I was struck by the perspective of the bikes with the Ferry Building clock tower in the distance at the Embarcadero.

I can't tell you anything about the bike rental other than it was a great photo op. But, if you are planning to visit San Francisco, renting a bicycle might be a nice way to get around. If you travel along the water front, you can avoid the hills.

Photo taken with a 40D, exposure 1/100 s at f/5.6, ISO 200, focal length 17mm.

Fog rolling in on the Sutro Baths

Weather at the coast is always changeable. As the fog rolled in, the cool breeze was a welcome change to the uncharacteristic hot weather that had settled over San Francisco.

I stood above the baths on the trail leading down just below Louie's Seafood, I reminisced back to my college days when my friends and I would come down to Sutro Baths late in the night with the weight of the world on our shoulders. Something about the ruins, the vastness of the ocean and the crash of the waves would remind us how insignificant we were, and our troubles would be put into perspective.

The building on the right in the center of the photograph is where the history of the Baths had been painted before it was painted over with gray cement paint.

Sutro Baths

Follow Geary west until it branches off into Pt. Lobos Ave. towards the Cliff House. Below Louie's Seafood is the ruins of the Sutro Baths. It is hard to image the baths that once stood here. I used to stare at the posters taped into the window at Louie's and in the Cliff House gift store and marvel at how the pools and bunkers used to be the buildings in the posters.

I having been hanging out at the Sutro Baths on and off since 1979. I must say the city is doing a great job of ruining the ruins in the name of safety. New paths, rails, and cement filled holes seem to sanitize the hillside and stairs.

This was my first time back in at least ten years. Much has changed. The biggest disappointment was the bunker that had the whole history of the baths painted in 1.5 inch green letters around the walls, covering every square inch of space. It is now painted over with gray cement paint.

Steve and I sat on the wall. The day was beautiful, uncharacteristically hot for the San Francisco coast. Lone hikers, couples, and families explored the area, some like us just came for the serenity of the ocean.

If you go, "leave only footprints and take nothing but photographs."

Looking Down Market St., San Francisco

Looking east down Market Street towards the Embarcadero.
The Muni's F line transports me back in time with a feeling of nostalgia.

Photo taken with an EOS 40D. Exposure 1/200 s at f/7.1. ISO 200. Focal length 32 mm. Desaturated in PhotoShop.

Union Square, San Francisco

Situated downtown in front of the St. Francis Hotel, artists set up booths for tourists and locals in Union Square.

Photo taken with a Canon EOS 40D. Exposure 1/250 s at f/8. ISO 200. Focal length 17 mm. Image desaturated in PS CS2.

Boonville Road

On the Boonville Rd, Sunday September 18th.
After morning rains and unsettled weather, vultures ride the thermals.

Photo taken with a Canon EOS 40D. 1/500 s, f 3.1, ISO 200, focal length 32mm.