 |  |  |  |  |  |
Patrick Smith Photography - Golden Gate Bridge Area |
Passageway Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 2-minute exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
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
Details: 2-minute exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
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.
The Golden Gate Bridge Area
The Golden Gate Bridge is such an 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 conditions that may happen only a few times per year. Those
moments you never see in postcards. I am always on the lookout for those moments.
The Golden Gate Bridge is such an 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 conditions that may happen only a few times per year. Those
moments you never see in postcards. I am always on the lookout for those moments.
Foghorns Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 0.8-second exposure @F16 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
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
Details: 0.8-second exposure @F16 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 2-minute exposure @F8 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
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
Details: 2-minute exposure @F8 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Details: 0.3-second exposure @F13 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
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
Details: 0.3-second exposure @F13 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Details: 0.3-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
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
Details: 0.3-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Details: 5-second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: Flickr
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
Details: 5-second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: Flickr
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Details: 30-second exposure @F20 with ND grad 0.9
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
Details: 30-second exposure @F20 with ND grad 0.9
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Above Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Details: 2-minute exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
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
Details: 2-minute exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Details: 1.3-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
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
Details: 1.3-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Point Bonita, Marin Headlands, Marin County, California
Details: 4-minute exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
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
Details: 4-minute exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
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 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Hyde Street Pier, Aquatic Park Pier, San Francisco, California
Details: 7-minute exposure @F16 with inverted ND grad 0.9
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
Details: 7-minute exposure @F16 with inverted ND grad 0.9
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!
International Orange Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 95-second exposure @F8, No filters used
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: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 95-second exposure @F8, No filters used
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!
Under the Pier - San Francisco #2 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Hyde Street Pier, Aquatic Park Pier, San Francisco, California
Details: 90-second exposure @F16 with inverted ND grad 0.9
Story:
This curved pier at the end of Van Ness Avenue at Aquatic Park produced a different sort of pattern than you normally see under a pier. This
was taken on the other side of the pier from where #3 was made on a different day.
Location: Hyde Street Pier, Aquatic Park Pier, San Francisco, California
Details: 90-second exposure @F16 with inverted ND grad 0.9
Story:
This curved pier at the end of Van Ness Avenue at Aquatic Park produced a different sort of pattern than you normally see under a pier. This
was taken on the other side of the pier from where #3 was made on a different day.
Under the Pier - San Francisco #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Fort Baker Fishing Pier, San Francisco, California
Details: 90 second exposure @F22 with inverted ND grad 0.9
Story:
This is the pier closest to the Golden Gate Bridge. Many people fish off of it and it is a great place to watch the sunset. But I liked tones created by
the rust and cracks in the concrete. There are some truly incredible colors and patterns that turn these piers into works of fine-art!
Location: Fort Baker Fishing Pier, San Francisco, California
Details: 90 second exposure @F22 with inverted ND grad 0.9
Story:
This is the pier closest to the Golden Gate Bridge. Many people fish off of it and it is a great place to watch the sunset. But I liked tones created by
the rust and cracks in the concrete. There are some truly incredible colors and patterns that turn these piers into works of fine-art!
Under the Pier - Sausalito #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Fort Baker Pier, Sausalito, California
Details: 2-minute exposure @F20 with ND 8 + inverted ND grad 0.9
Story:
This old fishing pier near the Golden Gate Bridge is falling apart. It has been cracked by earthquakes and pounded by waves, but it still looks
great. I will get several different versions of this under different lighting conditions.
Location: Fort Baker Pier, Sausalito, California
Details: 2-minute exposure @F20 with ND 8 + inverted ND grad 0.9
Story:
This old fishing pier near the Golden Gate Bridge is falling apart. It has been cracked by earthquakes and pounded by waves, but it still looks
great. I will get several different versions of this under different lighting conditions.
