Chapter 8. Dutch Windmill
A view of the Dutch Windmill taken just before sunset on a clear summer evening. Taken at ISO 200, f/8, 1/125 second with a 14–24mm lens.
Why It's Worth a Photograph
The world's largest Dutch windmill stands in Golden Gate Park just outside of San Francisco. The windmill is 75 feet tall with 102-foot long blades and was originally built in 1902 to pump fresh water to irrigate farms around the area. Surrounding the windmill is the Queen Wilhelmina Garden, which combined create one of the most picturesque spots in Golden Gate Park.
Where Can I Get the Best Shot?
Located at the western edge of Golden Gate Park, you find the Dutch Windmill a few hundred yards from the Pacific Ocean (see A on the map). The ideal place to photograph the windmill is from the small park where the windmill stands. From this vantage point, you have at least a half a dozen different locations to set up your tripod and photograph the windmill. What makes this such a wonderful location are the numerous flowers that lead up to and surround the windmill. Using an ultrawide-angle lens, you can create a wonderful leading line of colorful flowers that takes your eye right up to the windmill (see figure 8.1).
The best location from which to photograph the Dutch Windmill: (A) the grounds around the ...
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