27Jun-Photo Release – Not counting the embarcadero, being on the bay itself and a few areas nearby, I’ve only made two shoots in San Francisco. That’s by choice. I’m never a fan of crowds. I can’t imagine feeling more confined than when in a city surrounded by thousands of them. 😖 The first shoot was in the Haight as they refer to that district, for the world famous street graffiti. That was another story.
This trip was to the Palace of Fine Arts. Both shoots were made with photography classmates on a field trip. The palace is plopped down in the middle of a Marina District neighborhood, a couple of blocks inland of Crissy Field and the the bay itself.
I had to park quarter mile from the POFA. I though it would be a drab shoot as grey as the sky was, but Our instructor told us to be patient. I made a few iconic shots while the light was “good”. They turned out to be really good frames and easy to work with. As the light faded in the sky I shot a few eerie frames with the last of the sun creeping through the fog layer that was approaching quickly. Again, kudos to Nikon d850’s Dynamic Range. I was able to pull details out of the dark.
Shortly the magic happened. Sets of orange lights started lighting a few at a time. They took some time to heat up to peak brightness. That’s when I made most of the images that night and I was the last to pack up and leave. Myself and about fifty or so of San Francisco’s more flavorful populace were all that remained. For the first time since I left the streets of Boston behind I felt threatened. I obviously was carrying lots of $ worth of Camera gear. I strongly regretted not doing what I said when I told the rest of the group I’d be right behind. 😕 I did have my baton – extendable to 3′ steel rod – and after shouldering my gear I had two free hands. I got to the car as a cop was driving by. I waved. When I turned around I was alone. PHEW!
27Jun-Photo Release
Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco, CA August 3, 2019
The Palace of Fine Arts – 27Jun-Photo Release
The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco is a monumental Neoclassical landmark located in the Marina District. Originally constructed for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, it was designed by architect Bernard Maybeck to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal and showcase San Francisco’s resilience following the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire.
Maybeck conceived the structure as a fictional “decaying Roman ruin” to offer fairgoers a tranquil respite from the bustling exhibition grounds. Its design, inspired by classical Roman and Greek architecture, features a prominent 162-foot-high rotunda surrounded by a tranquil lagoon and sprawling colonnades. The statues of weeping women atop the colonnades were intended to evoke melancholy and artistic contemplation.
Although originally intended to be temporary and built from wood, plaster, and burlap, the structure became so beloved that it was saved from demolition after the fair. Over the decades, it served various purposes, including housing tennis courts, acting as a military storage depot during World War II, and serving as a warehouse.
By the late 1950s, the original materials had significantly deteriorated. Through a major fundraising effort led by local leaders and a substantial donation from philanthropist Walter S. Johnson, the Palace was completely reconstructed with permanent, durable concrete between 1964 and 1974.
Today, the site remains a major San Francisco icon. It houses a 1,000-seat theater and serves as a popular venue for events, photoshoots, and tourism. Its striking architecture has also made it a frequent backdrop in film and television, ranging from Vertigo to The Rock.
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