| The Golden Gate Bridge Area The Golden Gate Bridge is such a well-known icon that most people think that there is no way to capture an original image of it. But with a lot of climbing, hard work and a bit of luck, it is possible. There are many difficult to reach vantage points that are much better for landscape photography than the numerous tourist spots where everybody congregates, if you don't mind scrambling down crumbling cliff sides in the dark that end abruptly with a 300 foot plunge to the ocean below! Also, it is possible to anticipate rare fog and tidal conditions that may happen only a few times per year. Those are the moments you never see in postcards. I am always on the lookout for those moments. Go here for prints on metal, or canvas (24x36 and smaller) Go here for full-resolution downloads, low-cost photographic prints and framing of all images on this page. |
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Fishing at the Golden Gate Buy!
Location: Marin County Headlands, Sausalito, California
Story:
A small fishing boat moved slowly with the tide during this 2-minute exposure just after the sun set. I had to climb down a steep
hillside to get low enough to show the city skyline entirely under the bridge. You will rarely see a photo from this location. Do not
attempt this if you have vertigo!
Location: Marin County Headlands, Sausalito, California
Story:
A small fishing boat moved slowly with the tide during this 2-minute exposure just after the sun set. I had to climb down a steep
hillside to get low enough to show the city skyline entirely under the bridge. You will rarely see a photo from this location. Do not
attempt this if you have vertigo!
Light on the Marin Headlands Buy!
Location: San Francisco, California
Story:
I noticed that a combination of a very low tide, a clearing storm, and a December sun angle pointing towards the Marin headlands
could put on a rare show, so I headed out to see if it would happen. Just 20 minutes before I made the photograph, the sky was
heavy and dark. But finally a hole opened up in the clouds to the west and the sun came through for about 5 minutes. It was
quite a show!
Location: San Francisco, California
Story:
I noticed that a combination of a very low tide, a clearing storm, and a December sun angle pointing towards the Marin headlands
could put on a rare show, so I headed out to see if it would happen. Just 20 minutes before I made the photograph, the sky was
heavy and dark. But finally a hole opened up in the clouds to the west and the sun came through for about 5 minutes. It was
quite a show!
Passageway Buy!
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
Fog never fails to create lots of atmosphere and mood. The Golden Gate is both a passageway for people as well as for lots of
ocean fog to cool off the inland areas. A long exposure shows the way the fog flowed through the gate. The last light of the sun
and the lights of the bridge in equal amounts illuminated the fog. This even light lasts for only a few minutes, so in the course of
one evening, only one or two chances for a long exposure such as this are possible. Since there is no time to take light readings,
a good guess for the camera settings based on experience is the best way to go or you will miss the shot. Even though it was
getting dark, the sky was still much brighter than the sea, so I used an ND grad filter to even out that contrast. It worked just
the same as during the day. It took me three years to capture this moment and I have never seen it happen again. Nobody was
down here. There were dozens of tripods set up on the well-worn hillside to the right of the frame, but they were pointing in the
wrong direction to see this reflected light on the water and how it moved through the fog and clouds.
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
Fog never fails to create lots of atmosphere and mood. The Golden Gate is both a passageway for people as well as for lots of
ocean fog to cool off the inland areas. A long exposure shows the way the fog flowed through the gate. The last light of the sun
and the lights of the bridge in equal amounts illuminated the fog. This even light lasts for only a few minutes, so in the course of
one evening, only one or two chances for a long exposure such as this are possible. Since there is no time to take light readings,
a good guess for the camera settings based on experience is the best way to go or you will miss the shot. Even though it was
getting dark, the sky was still much brighter than the sea, so I used an ND grad filter to even out that contrast. It worked just
the same as during the day. It took me three years to capture this moment and I have never seen it happen again. Nobody was
down here. There were dozens of tripods set up on the well-worn hillside to the right of the frame, but they were pointing in the
wrong direction to see this reflected light on the water and how it moved through the fog and clouds.
Foghorns Buy!
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
The thick fog surrounding the bridge alternated from being a thick soup to a emerging as a golden veil as it swirled around on this
morning. Fog often can produce some excellent atmospheric effects, though it does not always cooperate. Three foghorns
echoed against the hills as ships passed by. The fog allowed parts of the bridge to be hidden so others could be emphasized. It
is usually necessary to wait quite a long while in order for the most interesting parts to be visible, as if a painter were composing
the image. The wait often pays off but even if it doesn’t, this is a great place to be. I pay close attention to the local weather
conditions before I go here, but it is rare that I see conditions align themselves in a way that can produce a really good
photograph.
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
The thick fog surrounding the bridge alternated from being a thick soup to a emerging as a golden veil as it swirled around on this
morning. Fog often can produce some excellent atmospheric effects, though it does not always cooperate. Three foghorns
echoed against the hills as ships passed by. The fog allowed parts of the bridge to be hidden so others could be emphasized. It
is usually necessary to wait quite a long while in order for the most interesting parts to be visible, as if a painter were composing
the image. The wait often pays off but even if it doesn’t, this is a great place to be. I pay close attention to the local weather
conditions before I go here, but it is rare that I see conditions align themselves in a way that can produce a really good
photograph.
Into the Mist Buy!
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
It is often a unique set of weather conditions and geography that make an image of the bridge special and set it apart from the
millions of pictures shot here annually. Often, when you drive over the bridge, you go from warm and dry weather directly into
thick cool fog as you head into the city. It is this extreme temperature difference that creates the fog and the moody atmosphere.
On this evening a mist shrouded crescent moon helped the bridge lights illuminate the scene after sunset. Even though the
moon was just a crescent, the dark side of the moon was visible and still quite bright. The entire moon is intentionally
overexposed here in order to show how it lit up the evening sky. This atmosphere lasted for only a few minutes before the moon
disappeared into the fog. A long exposure shows the movement in the fog and the moon. Even a few star trails are visible in
bigger prints. On an exposure of this length, a lot of guesswork is involved because there is little time to go about taking light
meter measurements. I try to remember settings I have used in the past so that I can immediately set things up and not miss a
memorable moment.
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
It is often a unique set of weather conditions and geography that make an image of the bridge special and set it apart from the
millions of pictures shot here annually. Often, when you drive over the bridge, you go from warm and dry weather directly into
thick cool fog as you head into the city. It is this extreme temperature difference that creates the fog and the moody atmosphere.
On this evening a mist shrouded crescent moon helped the bridge lights illuminate the scene after sunset. Even though the
moon was just a crescent, the dark side of the moon was visible and still quite bright. The entire moon is intentionally
overexposed here in order to show how it lit up the evening sky. This atmosphere lasted for only a few minutes before the moon
disappeared into the fog. A long exposure shows the movement in the fog and the moon. Even a few star trails are visible in
bigger prints. On an exposure of this length, a lot of guesswork is involved because there is little time to go about taking light
meter measurements. I try to remember settings I have used in the past so that I can immediately set things up and not miss a
memorable moment.
Golden Gate Dawn #1 Buy!
Location: Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
A storm was moving in off the Pacific Ocean, so I headed down the hill in the dark to get here in time for the sunrise. I actually had to
de-saturate this image because the colors were too intense. 5 minutes later, the sun came out of the cloud deck and this light was gone for the
day.
Location: Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
A storm was moving in off the Pacific Ocean, so I headed down the hill in the dark to get here in time for the sunrise. I actually had to
de-saturate this image because the colors were too intense. 5 minutes later, the sun came out of the cloud deck and this light was gone for the
day.
The Headlands Buy!
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
The fog was low and patchy on this day, so I decided to create a landscape image where the bridge was just part of the scenery. While
at least 15 other photographers with tripods were down in the fog on the road below where the path drops out of sight, I hiked up the
crumbly and unstable path to this point. The air was warm on this spot, while everybody was shivering in the fog just a few hundred feet
away.
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
The fog was low and patchy on this day, so I decided to create a landscape image where the bridge was just part of the scenery. While
at least 15 other photographers with tripods were down in the fog on the road below where the path drops out of sight, I hiked up the
crumbly and unstable path to this point. The air was warm on this spot, while everybody was shivering in the fog just a few hundred feet
away.
Daybreak Buy!
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
The sun way very bright as it rose over the city, but then it hid behind that thin ribbon of cloud, allowing the light to spread
across the landscape and even between the city buildings. 1 minute later and the light show was over!
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
The sun way very bright as it rose over the city, but then it hid behind that thin ribbon of cloud, allowing the light to spread
across the landscape and even between the city buildings. 1 minute later and the light show was over!
Stormswept Buy!
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
A large pacifc storm sweeps into the San Francisco Bay at sunset creating fast moving heavy clouds. To get to this location, a hike
down a steep crumbling cliff is required.
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
A large pacifc storm sweeps into the San Francisco Bay at sunset creating fast moving heavy clouds. To get to this location, a hike
down a steep crumbling cliff is required.
Heaven's Gate Buy!
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
A climb down a crumbly hillside in the dark allowed me to see this view at sunrise. I felt privileged to be here at this time! A long
exposure time allowed the clouds to move a considerable distance during the exposure. A wide panoramic crop (1x2 ratio) is
available showing less foreground and sky. Ask for details.
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
A climb down a crumbly hillside in the dark allowed me to see this view at sunrise. I felt privileged to be here at this time! A long
exposure time allowed the clouds to move a considerable distance during the exposure. A wide panoramic crop (1x2 ratio) is
available showing less foreground and sky. Ask for details.
Kirby Cove Sands Buy!
Location: Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
This red and brown sand beach just north of the Golden Gate consists of small round pebbles that glisten like beads of glass. I
have never seen anything like it except for some black sand beaches on the big island of Hawaii. The effect is especially noticeable
in the first light of the morning with a touch of light through the clouds. The movement of an incoming wave preserves the sand
structure underneath the foam of the wave for just a second.
Location: Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
This red and brown sand beach just north of the Golden Gate consists of small round pebbles that glisten like beads of glass. I
have never seen anything like it except for some black sand beaches on the big island of Hawaii. The effect is especially noticeable
in the first light of the morning with a touch of light through the clouds. The movement of an incoming wave preserves the sand
structure underneath the foam of the wave for just a second.
Point Bonita Evening Buy!
Location: Point Bonita, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
Point Bonita is located at the northern entrance to the San Francisco Bay. The original name was in fact "Point Boneta" - a reference to
the resemblance of the area hills to the hats worn by Spanish religious officials. In 1853 the steamship Tennessee ran aground just
north of Point Bonita, and the clipper ship San Francisco struck the rocks of Point Bonita and sank in 1854. So in 1854, work began
on the lighthouse. The point was very difficult to reach due to the steep cliffs. Eventually, a tunnel was built. The lamp was lit for the
first time on May 2, 1855. I needed and extra long exposure to smooth out the ocean enough to avoid that cottony effect and have
the rocks stand out from the surf.
Location: Point Bonita, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Story:
Point Bonita is located at the northern entrance to the San Francisco Bay. The original name was in fact "Point Boneta" - a reference to
the resemblance of the area hills to the hats worn by Spanish religious officials. In 1853 the steamship Tennessee ran aground just
north of Point Bonita, and the clipper ship San Francisco struck the rocks of Point Bonita and sank in 1854. So in 1854, work began
on the lighthouse. The point was very difficult to reach due to the steep cliffs. Eventually, a tunnel was built. The lamp was lit for the
first time on May 2, 1855. I needed and extra long exposure to smooth out the ocean enough to avoid that cottony effect and have
the rocks stand out from the surf.
Under the Pier - San Francisco #3 Buy!
Location: Hyde Street Pier, Aquatic Park Pier, San Francisco, California
Story:
Another view of the curved pier at Aquatic Park at the end of Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. The diagonal concrete pilings help
to break the waves during high tides. A low tide at sunset was required to get the shot looking right. The extra long exposure
gave this a smooth look. A few big waves almost put my camera underwater but I held the tripod steady and took the hit in order
to save the shot. You only get one chance per night where the light is even enough to do this. And I would have to wait a month
for these conditions to happen again!
Location: Hyde Street Pier, Aquatic Park Pier, San Francisco, California
Story:
Another view of the curved pier at Aquatic Park at the end of Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. The diagonal concrete pilings help
to break the waves during high tides. A low tide at sunset was required to get the shot looking right. The extra long exposure
gave this a smooth look. A few big waves almost put my camera underwater but I held the tripod steady and took the hit in order
to save the shot. You only get one chance per night where the light is even enough to do this. And I would have to wait a month
for these conditions to happen again!
Low Tide at the Golden Gate Buy!
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
A low tide at sunset, combined with this sort of atmosphere happens only perhaps 2-3 times per year. Fortunately I was showing
a photographer friend around town and the coincidence was too much to ignore. So we headed down here and were treated to
this scene. The low tide allowed the rocks to be exposed for a nice bit of foreground that you normally don't get in this spot.
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
A low tide at sunset, combined with this sort of atmosphere happens only perhaps 2-3 times per year. Fortunately I was showing
a photographer friend around town and the coincidence was too much to ignore. So we headed down here and were treated to
this scene. The low tide allowed the rocks to be exposed for a nice bit of foreground that you normally don't get in this spot.
End of the Day Buy!
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
After I made "Low Tide at the Golden Gate" (above), I waited to the sun to set so I could get a long-exposure for the smooth and
minimal look. I'm glad the colors stayed around and the blues even intensified. I actually had to slightly de-saturate the sky to
get back the detail. The color was too strong otherwise. Only at low tide are those rocks in front visible.
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
After I made "Low Tide at the Golden Gate" (above), I waited to the sun to set so I could get a long-exposure for the smooth and
minimal look. I'm glad the colors stayed around and the blues even intensified. I actually had to slightly de-saturate the sky to
get back the detail. The color was too strong otherwise. Only at low tide are those rocks in front visible.
Rust and Surf #2 Buy!
Location: San Francisco, California
Story:
So, how do you hide the bottom 300 feet of the far tower of the Golden Gate Bridge? With a very large wave! How big? Well, you
can see that the smaller part of the wave is much bigger than the cars and vans in the parking lot. After I took each shot, I hid in
my car just to the left of the tripod. These waves hit with such force that my car was shaken violently each time. Then I could wipe
off the grad filter and get ready for the next attempt.
It took about 10 tries to get it right. I wanted the iron post to not block the horizon and for the composition to be perfect. But
that is difficult to do when you only get a few seconds to jump out of the car, take the shot, and dive back in. Finally I got the
shot just as the park rangers ordered me to leave because people have been killed on this very spot!The amazing thing is that
this is on the bay-side of the bridge, the Pacific Ocean is on the other side of the bridge to the left. Only during strong westerly
winds following a big storm with a high tide do these conditions exist. There were surfers out there and they were ordered back to
shore too!
Location: San Francisco, California
Story:
So, how do you hide the bottom 300 feet of the far tower of the Golden Gate Bridge? With a very large wave! How big? Well, you
can see that the smaller part of the wave is much bigger than the cars and vans in the parking lot. After I took each shot, I hid in
my car just to the left of the tripod. These waves hit with such force that my car was shaken violently each time. Then I could wipe
off the grad filter and get ready for the next attempt.
It took about 10 tries to get it right. I wanted the iron post to not block the horizon and for the composition to be perfect. But
that is difficult to do when you only get a few seconds to jump out of the car, take the shot, and dive back in. Finally I got the
shot just as the park rangers ordered me to leave because people have been killed on this very spot!The amazing thing is that
this is on the bay-side of the bridge, the Pacific Ocean is on the other side of the bridge to the left. Only during strong westerly
winds following a big storm with a high tide do these conditions exist. There were surfers out there and they were ordered back to
shore too!
International Orange Buy!
Location: Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
The color of the Golden Gate Bridge is orange vermilion, deemed International Orange. The color was selected by consulting
architect Irving Morrow because it blends well with the natural surroundings yet enhances the bridge's visibility in fog. I think they
made the right choice!
Location: Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, Marin County, California
Story:
The color of the Golden Gate Bridge is orange vermilion, deemed International Orange. The color was selected by consulting
architect Irving Morrow because it blends well with the natural surroundings yet enhances the bridge's visibility in fog. I think they
made the right choice!
