Photographing San Francisco: Digital Field Guide

Chapter 2. California Academy of Sciences

A view of the California Academy of Sciences taken on an overcast fall afternoon. Taken at ISO 400, f/18, 1/13 second, with a 14–24mm lens.

Why It's Worth a Photograph

The California Academy of Sciences is one of the largest museums of natural history in the world. Founded in 1853, the Academy's first official museum opened in 1874. Completely rebuilt in 2008, it is now one of the newest museums in the United States. Located in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, the Academy is the only place in the world with an aquarium, a planetarium, a history museum, and a rainforest all under one roof. The building that houses these exhibits is a stunning architectural achievement with hundreds of incredibly unique exhibits and thousands of live animals. The Academy redefines what it means to be a science museum: a single building that demonstrates the mutual dependence of earth, ocean, and space. The building is not only physically impressive, but it is considered to be one of the greenest museums in the world, with a 2½-acre living roof comprised of a living tapestry of native plant species, an expansive solar canopy, an extensive water reclamation system, and walls insulated with recycled blue jeans. Everywhere you look inside and out are hundreds of subjects to photograph. Whether you choose to photograph the incredible architecture or the wonderful ...