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City Lights - Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, California

It was a misty and foggy evening with the moon peeking out. The light was not looking good at the beach so this was my backup plan. No HDR necessary when the scene is evenly lit!

 

Free wallpaper for over 100 of my images in 6 different screen sizes is now available!

 

You must see the super-big 800x2400 pixel version!

www.flickr.com/photos/patrick-smith-photography/574107829...

 

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Settings etc.:

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Canon 5D Mark II

Canon 24-105L @67

3-photo panorama with edges cut off to make it exactly a 1x3 ratio

3 30-second exposures @ F11

Stitched with Autopano, no problems

No filters

No polarizer

ISO 50

Small Slik tripod with Manfrotto 322RC2 pistol grip ball head

RAW file processed with Capture One by Phase One

TIFF file processed with Photoshop

 

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Story:

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There are many great photographic vantage points in San Francisco. So when I'm there for a sunset,it is really hard to choose from the vast and comprehensive menu! Parking can be a bit of a challenge though, even at night.

 

The only difficult thing about making this picture were the sea lions that were constantly swimming by making patterns in the water. Even on these 30-second exposures, the patterns are obvious and can spoil the smooth reflections. So I waited for the wakes to calm down and shot between them since I only get about 4 minutes where the moonlight, sunset light and city lights are even. There was also a human swimmer but when he saw me he courteously stayed away with the sea lions circling him. They seem to be friendly.

 

Actually there is one long sea lion trail that is just below the boat in the center. I'll mark it with a note. And if you ever go to San Francisco, try the Ghirardelli Chocolate!

 

The map shows exactly where this is. It was taken from the Municipal pier at the end of Van Ness Ave.

 

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Resources:

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Google Earth

earth.google.com/

 

Simply the best way to scout out locations that there is. You can see sun angles and pre-visualize light under lots of different conditions. Sometimes you can actually pre-compose your shots! This has saved me many thousands of vertical feet of climbing by avoiding spots with blocked views etc.

 

Satellite imagery (choose 'National' for a local US region or use your fave website)

www.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/?wfo=mtr

 

Tide charting and preditions: (chose your area in US, other countries have similar websites)

tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.shtml?gid=235

 

Wave Heights (I choose 'North Pacific from Global')

polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/main_int.html

Or Here:

www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/shtml/RP1bw.gif

 

Photos of every inch of the California coastline from a small plane. Excellent for close in detailed views.

 

www.californiacoastline.org/

 

I get my cameras, filters, etc. here:

 

www.bhphotovideo.com/

or

www.adorama.com/

 

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106,140 views
413 faves
129 comments
Uploaded on May 21, 2011
Taken on May 14, 2011