I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. This photo was "accidentally" taken at ISO 1250, but it turns out I like this shot the best. Despite the high ISO at night the short shutter speed meant that most of the city in the background is a lot crisper and sharper than the rest of my photos, which are at ISO 200 or lower and a longer shutter speed. Lightroom did an excellent job of reducing the noise in this photo (to almost nothing) and made it superb! I love the reflections of the bridge on the water. It's such a pretty bridge and we lucked out that there was no fog! It was really interesting to note that even at night you can see the amazingly complex currents underneath the Golden Gate Bridge (after all, it is where the SF Bay and the Pacific Ocean meet). If you look closely you can see some of the swirls of the water currents in the lower right part of this photo.

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. This photo was "accidentally" taken at ISO 1250, but it turns out I like this shot the best. Despite the high ISO at night the short shutter speed meant that most of the city in the background is a lot crisper and sharper than the rest of my photos, which are at ISO 200 or lower and a longer shutter speed. Lightroom did an excellent job of reducing the noise in this photo (to almost nothing) and made it superb!

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. I love the reflections of the bridge on the water. It's such a pretty bridge and we lucked out that there was no fog! It was really interesting to note that even at night you can see the amazingly complex currents underneath the Golden Gate Bridge (after all, it is where the SF Bay and the Pacific Ocean meet). If you look closely you can see some of the swirls of the water currents in the lower right part of this photo.

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. I love the reflections of the bridge on the water. It's such a pretty bridge and we lucked out that there was no fog! It was really interesting to note that even at night you can see the amazingly complex currents underneath the Golden Gate Bridge (after all, it is where the SF Bay and the Pacific Ocean meet). If you look closely you can see some of the swirls of the water currents in the lower right part of this photo.

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. I love the reflections of the bridge on the water. It's such a pretty bridge and we lucked out that there was no fog! It was really interesting to note that even at night you can see the amazingly complex currents underneath the Golden Gate Bridge (after all, it is where the SF Bay and the Pacific Ocean meet). If you look closely you can see some of the swirls of the water currents in the lower right part of this photo.

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. I really like the angle of the GGB from Fort Baker. Unfortunately, you can't get any light trails and as we were shooting the lights on the bridge were turned off (which made the Bridge a lot less interesting). It was low tide when we arrived and there were some amazingly neat pipes and broken pieces of concrete scattered along the shoreline. We hopped down and made sure to include those in our images. Since it was now after sunrise there was a bit too much light and I thought I'd play around with some HDR's to see if they would come out decently. I didn't *need* to do HDR here, but I thought it would be fun to bring out the textures. I will be the first to admit, that I didn't do such a good job of making these look realistic -- they're a little too painterly for my taste, but I thought I'd share anyways.

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. I really like the angle of the GGB from Fort Baker. Unfortunately, you can't get any light trails and as we were shooting the lights on the bridge were turned off (which made the Bridge a lot less interesting). It was low tide when we arrived and there were some amazingly neat pipes and broken pieces of concrete scattered along the shoreline. We hopped down and made sure to include those in our images. Since it was now after sunrise there was a bit too much light and I thought I'd play around with some HDR's to see if they would come out decently. I didn't *need* to do HDR here, but I thought it would be fun to bring out the textures. I will be the first to admit, that I didn't do such a good job of making these look realistic -- they're a little too painterly for my taste, but I thought I'd share anyways.

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. I really like the angle of the GGB from Fort Baker. Unfortunately, you can't get any light trails and as we were shooting the lights on the bridge were turned off (which made the Bridge a lot less interesting). It was low tide when we arrived and there were some amazingly neat pipes and broken pieces of concrete scattered along the shoreline. We hopped down and made sure to include those in our images. Since it was now after sunrise there was a bit too much light and I thought I'd play around with some HDR's to see if they would come out decently. I didn't *need* to do HDR here, but I thought it would be fun to bring out the textures. I will be the first to admit, that I didn't do such a good job of making these look realistic -- they're a little too painterly for my taste, but I thought I'd share anyways.

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. I thought it would be neat to get this giant dock anchor in the foreground with the GGB in the background. The shot came out alright.

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. We knew that sunrise was at 6:55am so we planned to arrive around 6 (we were a couple minutes late). Our first stop was to the right side of the bridge, where I wanted to get some light trails from the bridge. We had planned on going to the left side of the bridge while it was still dark out but we forgot to realize that by the time the sun rises above the horizon, it's already pretty light out. By the time we got to Fort Baker to take the photos it was light out. There's a pier out by Fort Baker that has some great vantage spots of the GGB and of the SF skyline. While I was walking around looking to take pictures I noticed this neat looking fishing net that someone had left behind. I plopped the tripod down and clicked away!

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. While on the left side of the bridge, at Fort Baker, we took a stroll out onto the pier. There are some great vantage points along the pier and as we snapped away we noticed that someone had left behind a big garbage dumpster on the pier and it had some really neat graffiti. After walking around trying to pick the best angles I shot off a couple different versions of this really interesting dumpster. I like the diagonal angle much better, as it gives you a sense of multiple sides of the dumpster, and also captures Fort Baker in the background. I really like how the lines of the diagonals of the dumpster draw the eye back through the photo. Hope you enjoy -- let me know which version you like better!

I woke up early one morning with my friend Zack and drove up to the Marin Headlands to take pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge. While on the left side of the bridge, at Fort Baker, we took a stroll out onto the pier. There are some great vantage points along the pier and as we snapped away we noticed that someone had left behind a big garbage dumpster on the pier and it had some really neat graffiti. After walking around trying to pick the best angles I shot off a couple different versions of this really interesting dumpster. I like the diagonal angle much better, as it gives you a sense of multiple sides of the dumpster, and also captures Fort Baker in the background. I really like how the lines of the diagonals of the dumpster draw the eye back through the photo. Hope you enjoy -- let me know which version you like better!