Posts Tagged ‘san francisco’

May

2011

The Crookedest Street in the World

The Crookedest Street in the World – View in Gallery

A trip to San Francisco wouldn’t be complete without a visit to “The Crookedest Street in the World.” Officially called Lombard Street, this stretch features quaint townhouses and idilic gardens, intersected by the elegantly curving road.

Do you see the picture below, showing the street from Telegraph Hill?

Yeah, I walked all the way up that, thought I was going to have a heart-attack. But it was totally worth it, and I managed to soldier on the rest of the day anyway.

I can’t imagine living there as there is a constant stream of obnoxious tourists walking all over the place.

I want your feedback on this picture!

Have you ever been to Lombard street?

Do you think this photo captures the feel of being there?


“The Crookedest in the World”	Lombard Street from Telegraph Hill

Tags: california, crookedest street in the world, HDR, lombard street, san francisco
Posted in California, HDR | 8 Comments »

May

2011

Escape to Alcatraz

Have you ever seen such a picturesque federal prison? I haven’t.

In all fairness it has been a national recreation area since 1972. This capture of “The Rock” is a handheld, “pseudo HDR”.1 I was standing up by Coit Tower when I took it, and I couldn’t get a clear shot from any place where there was room for my tripod.

I didn’t get to go onto the Island this trip, but I remember going there when I was in 5th grade.

I can just imagine Al Capone hanging out there, smoking a cigar. I also remember being intrigued by the “most successful” attempt to escape from Alcatraz, which resulted in three inmates being lost at sea, or so the feds claim. I like to image they made it ashore. It is only a mile and a half from terra firma and you could probably swim that distance, even if the water is absurdly cold.

I didn’t set foot on Alcatraz this go around, so it’s just another reason why I’ll have to go back to San Francisco! Are you noticing a pattern here?

When just one image is tonemapped, instead of 3 or more [↩]

Tags: alcatraz, HDR, island, san francisco, the bay, the rock
Posted in California | Comments Off on Escape to Alcatraz

May

2011

Seal Rocks

Seal Rocks, three majestic thrusts of rock situated along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. I happened upon the isles in the early evening. Seeing conditions were poor, rather hazy, but I think I found a good shot here.

I was experimenting with a high f-number, which increases the depth of field (more of the picture is in focus), but also reduces sharpness and in my case caused any dust on my lens to appear as dark spots (that weren’t visible at lower f-stops). I had to do quite a bit of photoshopping to clean it up. The small “blips” that remain are actually seabirds.

I think the rocks would be more photogenic earlier in the morning or at sunset (if it weren’t too hazy), and I’d also have liked to take the shot from closer range. I’ll just have to go back!

Tags: california, HDR, pacific ocean, san francisco, seal rocks
Posted in California, HDR | Comments Off on Seal Rocks