I recently photographed my elusive “white whale” photo subject, a fog enveloped Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise. You might expect I’d be happy with capturing dozens of photos of this amazing phenomenon, but I’m eager to photograph it again to get a different take on it. I should clarify I am very satisfied with the photos captured including the one shown below, but I have an incredibly strong desire to try something new next time.
What might surprise you is that I almost missed this opportunity out of sheer laziness. I knew conditions were lining up to be good the evening before and I set my alarm for 5am… 40 minutes before sunrise. I had been working on photos until about 1am that morning and when my alarm went off I had a tough time getting my butt in gear. I got up, looked out my window and I could see a clear view above a fog layer in the valley beneath the hill I live on. What this meant is that the fog was receding and hugging the coast making the odds the bridge would be poking out of the fog a near certainty. Even still I got back in bed and after much internal debate I got myself up and out of the house. It should be noted to minimize my own internal resistance I had my gear ready to go the night before so no extra effort was needed… I just needed to get on the road.
To say I’m happy that I eventually got up is an understatement. The conditions turned out to be perfect and the rate at which the fog receded was astonishingly quick. With in a matter of 90-120 minutes the fog lowered in level from the top of the Golden Gate Bridge towers to below the bridge span. The morning air was cool, filled with the sound of birds chirping and of course foghorns. Beyond getting photographs of this phenomenon it was just fun to witness. Heck even the drive back was exciting as the fog was barely spilling over the bridge.
I was tipped off recently that something had changed in the Marin Headlands impacting future photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge. The change…
a missing tree.
Not just any tree… the ONLY tree in the Marin Headlands in plain view from most lookouts in San Francisco. Regularly this small tree is in frame for most if not all Golden Gate Bridge photos that have been taken over the past couple of decades. I’m not sure if this tree was officially removed or if someone went out of their way to remove it illegally. Either way I’m curious if anyone has heard anything about this. I’ve done some basic research and have not come up with any news on this.
(Left) Golden Gate Bridge As Seen From The Marin Headlands in Sept. ‘07
(Right) Golden Gate Bridge As Seen From The Marin Headlands in Mar. ‘08 ‘07
Word is that this likely happened in late 2007. In January and February I had been in the area photographing the Golden Gate Bridge, but at night. I thought the tree was missing, but I chalked it up to being dark and didn’t think anything of it.
In this episode “Mastering Digital Panoramic Photography” is discussed. Topics covered include an introduction to the technique, best practices, pitfalls, alternative methods, computer & software tips, and creative vision. This information packed episode will put you on track to master this challenging photographic technique in roughly (30) thirty minutes.
Featured Panoramic Photos in this Episode of EXIF and Beyond:
click to enlarge
“4 Corners – Welcome to Colorado”
made From (16) Sixteen Vertical Images (1×16)
click to enlarge
“Last Light On Delicate Arch, Arches National Park”
Made From (6) Six Vertical Images
click to enlarge
“The Beauty of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge”
Made From (10) Ten Vertical Images
click to enlarge
“Bryce Canyon Sunset, Bryce Canyon National Park”
Made from (5) Five Vertical Images
click to enlarge
“100 Caribou”
Made from (21) Twenty One Vertical Images
click to enlarge
“Caribou Pass View To The South Panoramic ” – Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Made From (35) Thirty Five Vertical Images
click to enlarge
“Caribou Pass and Kongakut River Panoramic” – Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Made From (50) Fifty Vertical Images
click to enlarge
“Cable View Panoramic, Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco”
Made From (3) Three Horizontal Images via Tilt Shift Lens
Between the cables is Alcatraz and in the distance is San Francisco more…
“Golden Gate Bridge Panoramic Sunset”
Made From (3) Three Vertical Images via Tilt Shift Lens more…
click to enlarge
“Yosemite Trees”
made From (11) Eleven Vertical Images (1×11)
