Sutro Baths Sunset
Every so often I enjoy visiting the ruins of Sutro Baths here in San Francisco. It’s a fascinating place with an even more interesting history. Unlike other areas of San Francisco I don’t see many photographs of this area and until now it’s been a bit of my secret haunting ground. Below is a photograph I took a couple years ago at sunset. When I first put this photo out for feedback I didn’t get a lot. As a result I pulled it from public view and have sat on it ever since. Rediscovering this photo the other day I decided to add it to the blog. Enjoy…
Technorati Tags: San Francisco, Sutro Baths, sunset, photo, ruins
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Jim,
I like this image because it shows us two worlds. You have what appears to be a man made pool, with its clean, engineered lines, and calm water.
Then you have the beautiful unbalanced world with its island and rough waters.
Nice.
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Trevor’s observation is interesting because the Sutro Baths has the most foul water I have ever seen. That’s the beauty of nice light. This place area was my secret spot as well when I discovered it five years ago. Too bad they gutted all the vegetation on the cliff. One used to be able to “go in the bushes” back then if you know what I mean.
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I love the pure liquid feel of this piece. It looks like you could skate right over it all the way to the island…
Gorgeous colors, too.
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Enjoy looking at this image. The purple hues of the sunset and still water make it a place worth visiting, especially when the light is right.
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They gutted the exotic vegetation and have replanted with native plants. It’s a good thing. If you need to “go” in the bushes, try the nearby Cliff House. They have public bathrooms.
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Beautiful photo! I’ve seen a lot of sutro baths photos, but none of quite this perspective…
gary
http://www.CliffHouseProject.com
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As always thanks to everyone who took the time to comment on this photo.
Richard… Inline with what Gary Crabbe said in my interview with him on my podcast… great light will make anything look good. The stagnant Sutro Baths water is rather nasty, but with the right lighting it looks pristine. Do take John’s recommendations on the bathrooms at the Cliff House LOL
John thanks for pointing Richard in the right direction.
Gary thank you for commenting. I’m glad you found the photo here. Sutro Baths and the Cliff House are amazingly fun places to explore. There’s always seemingly a new perspective to find… it just takes some looking.
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The Cliff House was down for renovation when I lived there hence the need for vegetation…
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[...] Back in July I revisited the Sutro Baths area in the outer Richmond district area of San Francisco (see Sutro Baths Sunset). This particular photo was one of the first taken once I stepped out of my car. It just goes to show you don’t have to go very far in San Francisco to find an amazing scenic view. I should note the highlight of the outing was returning to my car to find only one car in the parking lot… of course next to mine with the occupants having sex. Clearly the area isn’t just for photography. [...]