As a long-time resident of the Bay Space, I’ve had the privilege of photographing the Golden Gate Bridge for over ten years. Whether or not it’s capturing the low fog rolling in or watching the golden gentle of dawn and sundown solid its heat glow over the bridge, this landmark by no means ceases to amaze me. The Marin Headlands supply a number of the greatest vantage factors, particularly when the fog is low, and the environment feels virtually otherworldly. It’s a scene that continues to encourage me, even in spite of everything this time.
Whereas it’s straightforward to really feel that iconic areas just like the Golden Gate Bridge are over-photographed, I by no means draw back from revisiting them. The principle purpose is creativity. Regardless of how acquainted or widespread a location could also be, there’s at all times a singular perspective or contemporary take to be found. Each go to presents a brand new alternative to push your self creatively and seize one thing totally different.
On this video, I wished to strategy the Golden Gate Bridge from a extra deliberate, considerate perspective. I selected two key parts to deal with: minimalism and a way of scale. Each of those approaches allowed me to strip away distractions and focus on the great thing about the bridge itself whereas additionally giving a way of simply how grand and imposing this construction actually is. Under, I’ll stroll you thru a few of my favourite pictures from the shoot and share the method behind capturing them, together with some insights into why these parts have been so vital for this explicit session.
Let’s begin with this shot, taken at 400mm. On this picture, I wished to deal with the bridge’s vertical strains, isolating its architectural magnificence and simplifying the composition. The telephoto lens helped to compress the scene, bringing these vertical strains to the forefront and lowering the visible litter that may typically overwhelm a wider shot. The fog grew to become an integral a part of the composition right here, naturally framing the principle tower of the bridge and including a delicate, ethereal high quality to the picture. I took a number of check pictures with none birds within the body, and whereas they have been good pictures, one thing felt incomplete. That’s after I determined to attend for birds to fly by means of the scene. Alongside this coastal space, birds are inclined to fly by each jiffy, so it wasn’t lengthy earlier than a small flock appeared. The addition of the birds introduced the picture to life, including a way of motion and scale that elevated the shot. After seeing how a lot they enhanced the composition, I made a decision to deal with incorporating birds into my pictures for the remainder of the shoot.
Subsequent up is one other picture, taken with the identical lens and method. This time, I targeted on a unique bridge part peeking by means of the fog. The second was fleeting—only a cut up second earlier than the fog rolled again in and hid the bridge completely. When working in quickly altering circumstances like this, it’s essential to be ready and able to shoot at a second’s discover. That is very true when utilizing a telephoto lens, because the slim area of view may cause you to overlook issues occurring outdoors the body when you’re too targeted on one spot. By usually scanning the scene, I used to be capable of anticipate this transient clearing within the fog and seize the shot earlier than it disappeared.
One of many highlights of this session was capturing this subsequent shot. Because the fog rose greater, virtually the whole bridge vanished from view, leaving solely the faint define of its diagonal cables. The fog acted virtually like a curtain, progressively revealing after which concealing totally different components of the scene. On this case, the diagonal line of the bridge labored fantastically with the flock of birds flying throughout the body. Their flight sample appeared to echo the form of the bridge, making a harmonious, balanced composition. This shot was a part of a 20-image sequence of the birds flying previous, and it was all about ready for that excellent second when all the weather got here collectively. Persistence is vital in conditions like this. Generally, it’s a must to take a number of frames and anticipate simply the proper one the place all the pieces clicks—the birds, the bridge, and the fog all aligning to create a compelling picture.
For the subsequent shot, I made a decision to change up my perspective and lens, transferring to a decrease vantage level and utilizing my 28-200mm lens. One of many issues I like about this lens is its versatility. It permits me to seize a variety of views, from close-up particulars to wider scenes. On this case, I wished to seize the bridge because it appeared to drift in midair, with the thick fog fully obscuring its base. Just under the body was the water’s edge, which I experimented with together with in a few of my check pictures. Finally, I made a decision to crop out the water, as eradicating that context added a layer of thriller to the picture. With out the seen waterline, the bridge seems to be suspended within the mist, making a surreal, dreamlike high quality. This is among the causes I like fog—it lets you simplify a scene and deal with the important thing parts with out the distractions that may usually be current.
Right here’s one other shot that includes a way of scale, this time that includes a fellow photographer having fun with the view. One of many issues I like about this picture is the distinction between the small determine and the imposing construction of the bridge. Whereas I like how the shot turned out, a part of me needs the foreground was a pure hill slightly than the graffiti-covered stays of an outdated bunker. Nonetheless, that’s a part of the fact of taking pictures in a location like this—it’s a must to work with the weather you’re given. Nonetheless, the place of the birds within the sky and the nice and cozy glow on the bridge assist to stability out the composition and draw the viewer’s eye towards the principle topic. This shot was taken at 400 mm, which required me to be particularly conscious of my framing. When working with such a good crop, it’s straightforward to by chance lower off vital parts or embody distractions, so I made a aware effort to maintain the composition clear and targeted.
This subsequent picture was captured at evening, which added an additional layer of complexity to the shoot. Taking pictures at evening requires lengthy exposures, and on this case, I needed to take about 20 to 30 pictures to make sure I captured one the place the photographer within the body was fully nonetheless. Evening images could be difficult as a result of any slight motion may end up in movement blur, particularly when working with lengthy exposures. Fortunately, the particular person stood in the identical spot for a very good 5 minutes and targeted on their very own shot, which gave me loads of time to experiment with totally different angles and compositions. Initially, I used to be positioned additional to the left and down the hill, which positioned the particular person on the proper aspect of the body and the bridge on the left. Nonetheless, in that place, the photographer was virtually hidden within the shadows, so I moved to a spot the place the determine can be extra centrally situated, making a stronger composition and making the particular person extra seen towards the illuminated bridge.
Right here’s one other fowl shot, captured throughout twilight simply because the lights on the bridge turned on. The delicate glow of the bridge lights added a moody, virtually cinematic environment to the scene, which I feel works fantastically with the silhouettes of the birds. This shot was taken at 200mm with ISO 800, which allowed me to push the shutter pace excessive sufficient to freeze the birds in movement whereas nonetheless sustaining the delicate, ambient gentle of the twilight hour. Taking pictures in low gentle is at all times a balancing act between ISO, shutter pace, and aperture, and I used to be happy with how this shot turned out.
This subsequent photograph won’t be as distinctive as a number of the others, but it surely captures the grandeur of the expertise slightly than specializing in the finer particulars. There’s one thing really awe-inspiring about watching the fog roll in over the bridge at evening, with the lights of the bridge slicing by means of the mist. For this picture, I made a decision to create a 3-image panorama to seize the complete width of the scene. I used a protracted publicity to seize the crimson gentle path of the automobiles driving throughout the bridge, which added a way of movement and life to the picture. One in every of my favourite issues to do at a photograph location is experimenting with totally different strategies and views. Whereas my predominant focus for this shoot was on telephoto minimalism, I additionally took the time to seize some large angle scenes and timelapses. I discover that switching up strategies not solely retains issues attention-grabbing.
Lastly, right here’s a shot taken from the alternative aspect of the bridge. The birds flying in formation created an attractive sample, and the fog lifted simply sufficient to disclose a glimpse of the bridge. This picture was shot at round 100 mm, handheld, with my 28-200 mm lens. I like how the fog creates a way of depth and thriller, making the bridge really feel each acquainted and otherworldly on the similar time. Moments like this remind me why I like photographing the Golden Gate Bridge.
Each photographer has their very own distinctive artistic voice and story to inform, and it’s straightforward to really feel discouraged when taking pictures iconic areas. However I consider that distinctive pictures are at all times ready to be captured, irrespective of how acquainted or widespread a spot is. The hot button is approaching every location with an open thoughts, as when you’re seeing it for the primary time. Set a aim for your self, whether or not it’s specializing in a selected method or experimenting with totally different views. On this case, my focus was on minimalism and scale, however I’d strive capturing extra large angle scenes subsequent time, discovering attention-grabbing framing parts or foreground patterns.
Most significantly, do not forget that images is about capturing moments that resonate with you personally. Social media generally is a nice supply of inspiration, but it surely’s additionally vital to not get too caught up in evaluating your work to others. As an alternative, keep current within the second and belief your artistic instincts.
Thanks a lot for watching the video and listening to me share my ideas on images. I genuinely recognize your help! If you wish to be taught extra from me, you possibly can take a look at my workshops through my website.
