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Photographing San Francisco: Digital Field Guide

Name: Photographing San Francisco: Digital Field Guide
Author: Bruce Sawle
ISBN: 9780470586846

by Bruce Sawle

March 2010

Beginner to intermediate

288 pages

5h 22m

English

Wiley

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Copyright
About the Author
Credits
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Alcatraz
1.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph1.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?1.2.1. Hyde Street and Lombard Street1.2.2. St. Francis Yacht Club1.2.3. Treasure Island1.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?1.3.1. Equipment1.3.1.1. Lenses1.3.1.2. Extras1.3.2. Camera settings1.3.3. Exposure1.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot1.3.3.2. Working around the weather1.3.3.3. Getting creative
2. California Academy of Sciences
2.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph2.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?2.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?2.3.1. Equipment2.3.1.1. Lenses2.3.1.2. Extras2.3.2. Camera settings2.3.3. Exposure2.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot2.3.3.2. Working around the weather
3. California Palace of the Legion of Honor
3.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph3.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?3.2.1. Lincoln Park3.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?3.3.1. Equipment3.3.1.2. Lenses3.3.1.2. Filters3.3.2. Camera settings3.3.3. Exposure3.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot3.3.3.2. Working around the weather3.3.3.3. Getting creative
4. Chinatown
4.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph4.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?4.2.1. Grant Avenue and Bush Street4.2.2. Grant Avenue and Sacramento Street4.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?4.3.1. Equipment4.3.2. Camera settings4.3.3. Exposure4.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot4.3.3.2. Working around the weather
5. Coit Tower
5.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph5.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?5.2.1. Lombard Street5.2.2. Embarcadero Piers5.2.3. Fisherman's Wharf5.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?5.3.1. Equipment5.3.1.1. Lenses5.3.1.2. Extras5.3.2. Camera settings5.3.3. Exposure5.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot5.3.3.2. Working around the weather

6. Conservatory of Flowers
6.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph6.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?6.2.1. Inside the conservatory6.2.2. John F Kennedy Drive6.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?6.3.1. Equipment6.3.1.1. Lenses6.3.1.2. Extras6.3.2. Camera settings6.3.3. Exposure6.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot6.3.3.2. Working around the weather
7. Downtown
7.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph7.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?7.2.1. Market Street and Beale Street7.2.2. Sacramento Street and Battery Street7.2.3. Treasure Island7.2.4. Twin Peaks7.2.5. Randall Museum7.2.6. Golden Gate Bridge Vista Parking Lot7.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?7.3.1. Equipment7.3.1.1. Lenses7.3.1.2. Filters7.3.1.3. Extras7.3.2. Camera settings7.3.3. Exposure7.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot7.3.3.2. Working around the weather7.3.3.3. Low-light and night options
8. Dutch Windmill
8.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph8.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?8.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?8.3.1. Equipment8.3.1.1. Lenses8.3.1.2. Extras8.3.2. Camera settings8.3.3. Exposure8.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot8.3.3.2. Working around the weather
9. Embarcadero
9.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph9.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?9.2.1. Embarcadero Ferry Building9.2.2. Embarcadero between Mission Street and Howard Street9.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?9.3.1. Equipment9.3.1.1. Lenses9.3.1.2. Extras9.3.2. Camera settings9.3.3. Exposure9.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot9.3.3.2. Working around the weather
10. Fisherman's Wharf
10.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph10.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?10.2.1. Jefferson Street between Powell Street and Hyde Street10.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?10.3.1. Equipment10.3.1.1. Lenses10.3.1.2. Extras10.3.2. Camera settings10.3.3. Exposure10.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot10.3.3.2. Working around the weather
11. Golden Gate Bridge
11.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph11.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?11.2.1. Marin Headlands11.2.2. Baker Beach11.2.3. Crissy Field11.2.4. Fort Point11.2.5. North Vista Point11.2.6. Visitor Center11.2.7. Conzelman Road Headlands11.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?11.3.1. Equipment11.3.1.1. Lenses11.3.1.2. Filters11.3.1.3. Extras11.3.2. Camera settings11.3.3. Exposure11.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot11.3.3.2. Working around the weather11.3.3.3. Low-light and night options11.3.3.4. Getting creative
12. Grace Cathedral
12.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph12.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?12.2.1. California Street12.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?12.3.1. Equipment12.3.1.1. Lenses12.3.1.2. Extras12.3.2. Camera settings12.3.3. Exposure12.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot12.3.3.2. Working around the weather
13. Japanese Tea Garden
13.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph13.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?13.2.1. Tea Garden Drive13.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?13.3.1. Equipment13.3.1.1. Lenses13.3.1.2. Filters13.3.1.3. Extras13.3.2. Camera settings13.3.3. Exposure13.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot13.3.3.2. Working around the weather
14. Lombard Street
14.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph14.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?14.2.1. Lombard Street at Hyde Street14.2.2. Lombard Street and Grant Street14.2.3. Lombard Street at Leavenworth Street14.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?14.3.1. Equipment14.3.1.1. Lenses14.3.1.2. Extras14.3.2. Camera settings14.3.3. Exposure14.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot14.3.3.2. Working around the weather
15. Marina Green
15.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph15.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?15.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?15.3.1. Equipment15.3.1.1. Lenses15.3.1.2. Extras15.3.2. Camera settings15.3.3. Exposure15.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot15.3.3.2. Working around the weather
16. M.H. de Young Museum
16.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph16.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?16.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?16.3.1. Equipment16.3.1.1. Lenses16.3.1.2. Extras16.3.2. Camera settings16.3.3. Exposure16.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot16.3.3.2. Working around the weather
17. North Beach
17.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph17.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?17.2.1. Columbus Street between Filbert Street and Washington Street17.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?17.3.1. Equipment17.3.2. Camera settings17.3.3. Exposure17.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot17.3.3.2. Working around the weather
18. Ocean Beach
18.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph18.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?18.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?18.3.1. Equipment18.3.1.1. Lenses18.3.1.2. Filters18.3.1.3. Extras18.3.2. Camera Settings18.3.3. Exposure18.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot18.3.3.2. Working around the weather18.3.3.3. Low-light and night options18.3.3.4. Getting creative
19. Painted Ladies/Postcard Row
19.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph19.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?19.2.1. Alamo Square19.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?19.3.1. Equipment19.3.1.1. Lenses19.3.1.2. Extras19.3.2. Camera settings19.3.3. Exposure19.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot19.3.3.2. Working around the weather19.3.3.3. Low-light and night options
20. Palace of Fine Arts
20.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph20.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?20.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?20.3.1. Equipment20.3.1.1. Lenses20.3.1.2. Extras20.3.2. Camera settings20.3.3. Exposure20.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot20.3.3.2. Working around the weather20.3.3.3. Low-light and night options
21. Presidio of San Francisco
21.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph21.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?21.2.1. Inside the Presidio21.2.2. Presidio Victorians21.2.3. Infantry Row21.2.4. Eucalyptus trees21.2.5. San Francisco National Cemetery21.2.6. Crissy Field21.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?21.3.1. Equipment21.3.1.1. Lenses21.3.1.2. Filters21.3.1.3. Extras21.3.2. Camera settings21.3.3. Exposure21.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot21.3.3.2. Working around the weather21.3.3.3. Getting creative
22. Rodeo Beach/Marin Headlands
22.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph22.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?22.2.1. Rodeo Beach22.2.2. Bunkers22.2.3. Point Bonita Lighthouse22.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?22.3.1. Equipment22.3.1.1. Lenses22.3.1.2. Filters22.3.1.3. Extras22.3.2. Camera settings22.3.3. Exposure22.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot22.3.3.2. Working around the weather
23. Saints Peter and Paul Church
23.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph23.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?23.2.1. Washington Square23.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?23.3.1. Equipment23.3.1.1. Lenses23.3.1.2. Extras23.3.2. Camera settings23.3.3. Exposure23.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot23.3.3.2. Working around the weather
24. San Francisco Botanical Garden
24.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph24.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?24.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?24.3.1. Equipment24.3.1.1. Lenses24.3.1.2. Extras24.3.2. Camera settings24.3.3. Exposure24.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot24.3.3.2. Working around the weather24.3.3.3. Getting creative
25. San Francisco Cable Cars
25.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph25.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?25.2.1. Hyde Street between Chestnut Street and Francisco Street25.2.2. California Street between Mason Street and Powell Street25.2.3. Cable Car Museum25.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?25.3.1. Equipment25.3.2. Camera settings25.3.3. Exposure25.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot25.3.3.2. Working around the weather25.3.3.3. Getting creative
26. San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge
26.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph26.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?26.2.1. Embarcadero26.2.2. Treasure Island26.2.3. Yerba Buena Island26.2.4. Under the Bay Bridge26.2.5. Union Street and Montgomery Street26.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?26.3.1. Equipment26.3.1.1. Lenses26.3.1.2. Extras26.3.2. Camera settings26.3.3. Exposure26.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot26.3.3.2. Working around the weather26.3.3.3. Low-light and night options26.3.3.4. Getting creative
27. San Francisco Zoo
27.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph27.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?27.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?27.3.1. Equipment27.3.1.1. Lenses27.3.1.2. Extras27.3.2. Camera settings27.3.3. Exposure27.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot27.3.3.2. Working around the weather
28. Transamerica Pyramid
28.1. Why It's Worth a Photograph28.2. Where Can I Get the Best Shot?28.2.1. Pier 7 Embarcadero28.2.2. Columbus Street at Broadway Street28.2.3. Montgomery Street at Green Street28.2.4. Montgomery Street between Clay Street and Washington Street28.2.5. Coit Tower28.3. How Can I Get the Best Shot?28.3.1. Equipment28.3.1.1. Lenses28.3.1.2. Extras28.3.2. Camera settings28.3.3. Exposure28.3.3.1. Ideal time to shoot28.3.3.2. Working around the weather28.3.3.3. Low-light and night options28.3.3.4. Getting creative

Content preview from Photographing San Francisco: Digital Field Guide

Chapter 5. Coit Tower

A view of Coit Tower taken in the early morning on a warm summer day. Taken at ISO 400, f/22, 1/130 second with a 14–24mm lens.

Why It's Worth a Photograph

Coit Tower was built in Pioneer Park atop Telegraph Hill in 1933. Contrary to popular opinion, the tower was not designed to resemble a fire hose nozzle. The Art Deco tower, which is 210 feet (64 m) of unpainted, reinforced concrete, stands alone on Telegraph Hill. The views from Coit Tower offer a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. Not to be missed are the murals decorating the lobby, considered to be one of California's best examples of Depression-era public art. What makes Coit Tower worth a photograph is the wonderful isolation this Art Deco tower has as it sits at the top of the hill with the sweeping waterfront on one side and the city on the other.

Where Can I Get the Best Shot?

There are a number of places around San Francisco you can photograph Coit Tower. The three most accessible and unobstructed views are from Lombard Street, Embarcadero Piers, and Fisherman's Wharf (see A, B, and C on the map).

The best locations from which to photograph Coit Tower: (A) Lombard Street, (B) Embarcadero Piers, (C) Fisherman's Wharf. Other photo ops: (9) Embarcadero, (10) Fisherman's Wharf, (14) crooked Lombard Street, ...

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