August 24th, the day of the full moon. The moon wasn't going to rise until 7:45 and I figured that if I'm going to drive all the way to The City, I might as well go early and see some of the city. I parked along the Embarcadero, well away from Pier 39, a huge tourist attraction, and walked for awhile. The day was perfectly clear and very hot. 96 degrees in SF is rare. The view of the Bay Bridge was a good prelude to what was to come.
Click on the photos to see a large view.
I drove past Pier 39, through Fisherman's Wharf, and up Hyde Street behind a cable car. I was not prepared for the crowds. Doesn't anybody go to work during the day? Who were all these people? My next stop was the West Battery, which has a view of the Golden Gate that most people don't see. I was here in February and could hardly see the bridge through the thick fog. (Link: http://visual-journey.blogspot.com/2010/02/golden-gate-bridge-park.html )
My plan to be at the Marin Headlands (directly across the gate from where I took this photo) by 6 to get set up for the moon shots wasn't going to happen. With both commuters and tourists wanting to cross the bridge, the queue to the toll plaza was long and slow moving. By the time I got there, shadow had already covered part of the bridge, but the view was still spectacular.
I counted over 30 sailboats on the bay
I found a spot I thought would work and planted my tripod. I knew other photographers would soon arrive. A full moon rising over the city on a fog-less night would lure out all the lunatics.
I think this photo of the bridge is more interesting with some shadow on the bridge..gives the photo more contrast and depth.. Mike Winn
ReplyDelete