I love travel photography. Not only do you get to travel and see interesting places and the people who live there, but you get to photograph those people and places while you are there.
Every city in the world has some sort of iconic location where you will always find photographers and see postcard images from, the trick is to figure out what those iconic locations are, and be there at just the right time of day to make beautiful images.
See more beautiful images from San Francisco by clicking on the more link below:
You can’t always count on mother nature to cooperate with your photographic expectations. You are also at the mercy of logistics with travel time to locations and limited time at each location. Sometimes you just have to wing-it and do the best you can given the conditions in front of you.
I spent a great deal of time during my younger days living very close to San Francisco but never took the time to visit some of the very well-known locations for photography. I think it was because in the back of my mind, I always knew I could just drive up there and see these things. Turns out after moving away I really missed not having visited some of these locations with my camera, so back to Cali I went.
In the years since I have moved away, many things have changed while some things have stayed the same. There are some new sights to see and some old favorites to visit once again with memories from my younger days.
Night photography and the dynamic range limitations of digital cameras today make me want to learn more about HDR or High Dynamic Range photography so that I can get night shots with good depth and detail in both the shadows and highlights.
What would travel photography be without at least one shot of a plate of food?
In some cases when the lighting is harsh outside from the mid-day sun and your opportunities to make nice images outside is more limited, you can always visit a museum and practice your indoor photography.
Poking around in San Francisco’s iconic City Hall and stumbling upon a wedding photographer’s session helped me create this image.
Dabbling in street photography can be a real challenge when you are shooting with a dSLR with a battery grip and a large mid-range zoom. Most would say that street photography is best left to smaller, more discreet setups, but I had to give it a try.
Maybe working the museum visit into your street photography is a good way to practice.
There are so many different aspects to each city it is often hard to pinpoint what part of the city you want to be in and at what time of day.
Street photography can be from far away or right up close where you engage your subjects and talk with them.
There are so many things just around the next corner to see and make nice images of it can be overwhelming to some people.
The challenge of trying to tell the story of all the people visiting the aquarium with the large tanks took me a little while to work through. What do you think of this shot?
Maybe some abstract stuff of the bridges will work for me?
San Francisco City Hall is a very high-tech building with all the earthquake retrofit and restoration work that went into it, still the outside is just not as cool as the inside.
The inside of City Hall makes you feel like your are in some old-world european city.
A shot like this abstract detail from the Japanese Tea Garden could have been taken anywhere, so while it is a nice shot I can’t say it tells me where I was when I took it.
I’m not sure how I feel about this shot of the Palace of Fine Arts taken during the day. I’m sure that if I was able to spend several hours waiting for just the right afternoon lighting this would look much better, but as I said sometimes you are at the mercy of logistics.
More Palace of Fine Arts, but the sky is all blown out from mid-day harsh light. This is just not the best time of day to make photos here.
Being caught at the famous Fog City Dinner without a tripod or a shutter release means you have to use a tree as a tripod and the self-timer to trigger the shutter and even then you are at the mercy of the dynamic range of your digital sensor.
Flowers. The flowers could be anywhere, but they are in Golden Gate Park, but I can’t tell from this image, so it’s a cool images but not my favorite.
Another one of those, could be from anywhere shots. This time the bamboo forest from the Japanese Tea Gardens.
This butterfly was massive, as big as your fist, but it could be anywhere so it doesn’t tell the story of the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park.
I have a ton more images to process, some better than others. I really like travel photography, it has challenges that are different from other types of photography and always keeps you on your toes and pushing your skills as a photographer.
Makes me want to travel…. and dust off my camera! Beautiful photos – thanks for sharing!
These photos are really great! Love your post!
Beautiful collection of images here! Definately gives me ideas for when I travel to Montreal this fall. Inspiring and maybe I will just dabble in some street photography… never have before. Thanks for the helpfull ideas. By the way my favourites are the bamboo (love how you framed up teh bamboo shoots in this pic), the street photography with the couple against the brick wall and the night image. Do you always suggest using a tripod at night? What if you don’t have the means of carrying one around with you? What do you suggest as an alternative?
You’re a great photographer. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Connie
http://7thandvine.wordpress.com/
Absolutely spectacular images — personal faves include Sax Dude and some of your amazing architectural shots.
🙂
You are quite an artist!
Good question, and as much as I like photography, and traveling, I still don’t know which one I like most, fiddling with the post production, taking the photograph or traveling itself….
what type of camera are you shooting with? great photos
I think its about giving a taste of a personal experience in a certain place through a certain tool, in this case photography
For me, photography makes travel lot more interesting, it’s like you got extra out of it!
Love all the shots! Really great job!
When I first read your title, I assumed your post would discuss the struggle photographers face between wanting to capture “the perfect shot”, and simply enjoying the experience of the trip.
I’ve gone to live events and beautiful historic places (as an amateur photographer), and spent so much time fretting over getting that “artsy” shot… finding an interesting angle, the just-right shadow, that perfect blur, etc… that I missed the entire thrill of the moment, the opportunity to bond with my family, learn the place’s history, and most important of all – relax and have fun! That’s why I try to separate practice “photo shoots” from family vacations, personal travel, and recreation. Well, I said “try”….. 😉
And your photographs are gorgeous! I’m surprised you were able to shoot some of those… our local art museum doesn’t like walk-in photographers (maybe we’re going to rip-off their art? LOL)
I can never tell if I am there to experience the location, or be a photographer and look for interesting images to capture, and I struggle with it often, but my passion for photography wins out many times.
FYI, most museum’s don’t have a problem with you photographing a standing collection, it’s the visiting art (art on loan from other museum’s) that they won’t allow you to photograph. Just thought that might be helpful.
The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton is a great book for travelers generally, and I particularly like his chapters dealing with the travelers’ obsession in capturing the moment to bring a little peice of their travels back home.
Amazing pictures! I love to bring my camera with me whenever I travel, you never know what you will come across and I always find beauty in something new and different. I love your picture of the Fog City Diner. Thank you for sharing and once again, beautiful!
What an incredible eye you have!! Each photo tells such a vivid story! They’re all beautiful, but I think the one of the butterfly is my favourite. 🙂
Awesome photos. As an SF resident, I’m inspired to break out a camera and start snapping pics. Deserving of Freshly Presses.
Sorry, meant Freshly Pressed.
As someone who has lived and worked in San Francisco for years, it has occurred to me that there is a world that lies underneath that has not been seen. In Vietnam, I glanced a bootlegged copy of Lonely Planet San Francisco. It occurred to me that many of the tourists in San Francisco had seen more in weeks than I had seen in my time in San Francisco. So I’ve gained a new appreciation.
Photography included, the pink sky in your headline is not common – and it does take “the perfect day and time” to see it. You can also get a very interesting skyline shot of SF from Bay Farm Alameda (near the ferry) – especially on a clear day.
Anyway, I just returned from a 3.5 month trip to South East Asia and I’ve still got the travel and photography bug in me. Check out my travel blog if you like. While my camera is not particularly high-end, I did manage to get a few decent shots.
http://calimike.wordpress.com
Best.
Your pictures are really, really good. The space in your photos, the colour and the dof, everything is just well done. Good stuff!
Great photos here! Travel photography may (emphasis here), provide a different way of seeing something that is familiar /mundane to locals but a visitor might find some characteristics about the object/scene that they want to capture.
Or the reverse is true also: locals shooting their local sights with the intention of travel photography, will take additional steps to convey the same subject in different lighting conditions or certain situations over a longer time period. Then choose the best shot that captures the subject’s “essence”.
Its about both! Like your perspectives…
I think its about both, but the photography should reflect what you saw on your travels… It should tell a story. Its like you said about the flowers… i totally agree!
Very enjoyed. Have a look at mine, the more experimental side of things.
very beautifull!
Both, surely?
LOVE these photos! you’re very talented. and of course…travel photography not JUST about the photos!
Love the introspective approach to two popular topics – photography and travel. You are so right – they do go hand in glove. Your shots are amazing! I aspire to reach this level. My limitation is in setting it up – I am already on the next activity and often miss the better light! What can I say, it is all about the experience for me! Have started to slow down, see the picture. I love looking at the work of others – like yours – very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
I love San Francisco! I am from Reno, which is only a few hours away, but I am living in England. These pictures make me feel a little home sick. Great pictures and great advice. Thank you for sharing.
These photos tell a story!! Great work! Happy travels!
I have never been to San Fran, but now I feel that I have.
I see scenes every day here in San Francisco however your work brings out the beauty of this city that we seem to forgot. Thank you for reminding us here in San Francisco of the beauty that surrouds us. Keep up the superb work, OUTSTANDING….
De De Tillman
Celebrity Blogger
California
dedetillmanblogs.wordpress.com
Great shots… I really enjoyed them!!!
the pics are so divine! i wanna go there someday!! 😀
http://travellersdiningdepot.wordpress.com/
these photos are great – and I’m also a lover and doer of travel photography!
great post!
-grace
http://herumbrella.com
Beautiful shots! I truly enjoy capturing the trip when we travel. I always seem to find something when I am reviewing the pics afteward that I didn’t see before. I also try to think in different views so as to not miss that special perspective. I have to admit to being a bit shy of taking pics of people. It almost feels a bit invasive to their privacy with me. So if I do I get a lot of pics of people’s backs. Though in some ways that adds mystery…
You gotta force yourself to talk to people, most times they are very nice and can have great stories to tell, and that makes better pictures. I have difficulties with this sometimes, but once I force myself to face my fears and talk to people I’m always glad I did.
great photos! thanks for sharing. for us, it’s always about the travel and the photography, so your shots are truly inspiring.
It is always interesting to see someone’s take on the city I live in – particularly since this city is so photogenic. Great examples, great perspectives, compositions and exposures!
These photos were absolute eye candy! Loved the first one, and the couple in the City Hall….and the guy pointing at the fish in the aquarium….
Do drop by and take a look at some of mine here http://munnzee.wordpress.com/
I love the work, and it is BOTH the travel, and the photography, especially with a city like San Fran.
Amazing photos!!
Great pictures! I especially love the one of the man playing the saxophone. Your notes about each photo, and your thoughts about it were interesting, too. I always try to photograph people when I go on vacation so that I can show others the local “scene,” but it doesn’t always work out that well. 🙂 Congratulations on being FP!
I photograph the city all the time and your photos are just phenomenal! I’d love to know what camera and lenses you use, you have an amazing photo talent!
Brittany, I am a Canon shooter and right now my 7D is my “everything” camera. As far as lens go, they are all Canon, everything from 10-22, 24-70, and 70-200 is what I lugged around on my trip.
Thanks for the info! I have a 60D myself but am actually looking into doing a class or two near the city. I majored in film, photo, broadcast, etc. but I need a good touch up and seeing really technically good, sharp photos like this inspire me to take classes sooner than later! I don’t have many lenses yet but have one good solid lens. What do you suggest as a good first or second lens?
I’m not sure how to answer your lens question, depending on your budget, I’ve been told the 24-105 f4 is a good walk-around lens. Unless you really understand aperture and what you are trying to do with your camera, you could go with a “fast” lens like a 50 f1.4, or f1.8, or mid-range zoom like the 24-70 f2.8 or . . .
If all those numbers just confused you it might be time to do a bit of research and maybe rent different lens to see what suits your needs.
These are such beautiful photographs! Great perspective!
Great post and congrats on being freshly pressed!! I think that it goes both ways–a great subject will reveal itself with even a tiny bit of ability. But on the flip side, a great piece of talent can find beauty anywhere.
http://howficklemyheart.wordpress.com
Great pictures! I think I have to say that my favorite is the one with the married couple in the staircase.
Congrats on being freshly pressed!
Mariajose
http://www.abitofeverythingnow.wordpress.com
Interesting collection of photos. I liked the ones particularly of the buildings, as I find those the most interesting and attractive.
Beautiful pictures. I don’t understand how you took the night pictures. When I try with my Canon SLR Rebel, the night pictures come out like “crap”.
You are way too modest when you describe these SF pics. They are great!
Excellent, excellent, excellent, excellent!
Lovely photos, I’m a photoholic when it comes to holidays, I spend more time photographing sometimes than looking with my own eyes rather than a lense!
Beautiful!
Amazing Photography!
Thanks for sharing these great photos!:)
http://www.thecameraangle.wordpress.com
I do some photography….
I went to SF once, years ago and didn’t enjoy the trip (mainly because my family is crazy and made it no fun). Therefore, I had no real urge to want to re-visit. BUT, these photos are so gorgeous that I want to book a trip out there as soon as possible. Love the contrast and high quality!
– lisaalinh.wordpress.com
Nice to read a post that’s just on travel photography. That’s pretty much the only time I take photos anymore. And even though the photos of flowers and bamboo don’t tell you exactly where you are, they provide a nice rest from the more site-specific ones that is necessary in a good travel photo album.
I absolutely love your photos! They’re all very nice. My favorite is the pink sky. Lovely. 🙂
Makes me want to haunt the streets and take pictures. You make the ordinary scenes look extraordinary.
I love travelling and taking pictures of the landscape around me. It definitely makes me happy and nostalgic when I look back on my photos. Oh, and I think the aquarium one turned out cool, I love the boy pointing at the fish.
Your photos are amazing!
very beautiful image
yes! it is about travel.
and yes – it is about photography.
a wonderful post.
congratulations on being freshly pressed – without which i would never have seen this gem.
so thanks for sharing.
I wish I could buy my own DLSR! Love your photos by the way!
good photos. . .thanks for sharing
Great photos, very well captured!
Amazing photographs. Look–its Dory the fish!!! I love how all of the photos show color and mood. Congrats on being Pressed. 😀
Great photos! Inspired me to take more photos for my next travel adventure!
Great job. You cited the ‘could be anywhere’ limitation of several beautiful photos you posted. I guess that goes with the dilemma between taking “artsy photos” and photos that truly represent the place. I often encounter that problem as well but, for now, I make good use of captions and narratives to make sure the location of the photo is clear. Unless a tight criteria such as ‘truly representative photos’ has to be met, I think appropriate captions and descriptions will do. Thanks for sharing these magnificent photos.
Enjoyed your photos!
great pics:)
Wonderful! While many of your subjects are heavily photographed and familiar to those who never seen them in person, you found a way to make the most familiar things look like I was seeing them for the first time. I think it is especially true of the first picture. Fantastic!
Amazing !!
Great photos. I love to travel and has ton and tons of photos from my travels. Unfortunately the only people who is interested to look at those photo is me!
Loved this… I walked the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday to find there was construction going on and giant plastic wrap preventing me from taking pictures. I guess I’ll just have to go back on a better day 😉
nice pics! it encourages me to take more experience with my lenses… thank you! 🙂
I think it’s about capturing the experience (and emotions) of travelling through photography 🙂 And you do that incredibly well.
wow very nice photos!
I recently moved to San Francisco and I love your photos! i walk by City Hall everyday, and you are right… the outside doesn’t do the inside justice.
Great shots… I really enjoyed them!!!
These are such beautiful photographs! Great perspective!
I have never been to San Fran, but now I feel that I have.
sitting down to write a post about Paris, i saw your photo of the bay bridge staring at me…a native californian – bay area born and breed – this brought a big smile to my face. thanks for the momentary glimpse of home!!!
Great photos……absolutely stunning
Very nice pictures.I especially love the one of the man playing the saxophone. Your notes about each photo, and your thoughts about it were interesting, too. I always try to photograph people when I go on vacation so that I can show others the local “scene,” but it doesn’t always work out that well. 🙂 Congratulations on being FP!
Very nice pictures.Great post and congrats on being freshly pressed!! I think that it goes both ways–a great subject will reveal itself with even a tiny bit of ability. But on the flip side, a great piece of talent can find beauty anywhere.Amazing photos!!
Beautiful photography and an absolutely good question, sometimes you can get so caught up taking pictures that you miss the great travel sights.
ive been to new york city and hope to return to USA to travel around a bit more and see more of what USA has to offer.
I have some photos of my trip on my blog itself.
You have some great photos they are very good.
http://robertdickinsonphotography1987.wordpress.com/
Great article …Thanks for your great information, the contents are quiet interesting. I will be waiting for your next post.
Amazing, beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
For me when I do (or rather DID, its been a few years since I did any) travel photography. Its not about the photography and its not about the travel. Its about the harmony between them both.
I recall a trip to Paris I took, and upon arriving there I found that my camera had just died so was face with a trip to a stunning city with no camera to capture the sights. I didnt really enjoy that trip because of that disaster. Sounds silly to some people I guess. I made sure that I returned to Paris that same year with a camera and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip and all the photos that I took.
For me travel photography will always have a special place in my heart because there I am taking stills (or video) of places that I (usually) havent been to before. Its a wonderful first time experience.
I miss it. I miss the photogaphy and the travel. But sadly my finaces dont allow me to do as much as I used to (that and a partner who hasnt even got a passport yet)
nice images man beautifully done
what can i say man i live in india n struggggling to get my first dslr
u guys are lucky keep it up super like
Top notch pics, the early ones more so than the flowers etc. The first shot is very postcard worthy!!
BEAUTIFUL photos! Reminds me of my childhood in the San Francisco Bay area! . . . I liked the picture of the Palace of Fine Arts; the crystal clear blue skies reminded me of the wonderful crisp days spent wandering the grounds of Golden Gate Park! Thank you for sharing your talents!
http://arabianmusings.wordpress.com/
These photos are so damn inspiring, I wanna book a ticket and travel !
Great post and amazing photos!!! I’ve also enjoy Travel Photography even though i’m some kind of a beginner but let me tell you my feelings about it. I think that when you are at the place it’s about photography – you are seeking for the best moments to take while enjoying the travel. However when you go back home and look at the photos…you realize it was actually about travel:) Because then you see how great it was when you were there:)
Photos are a great way to capture memories from travel destinations. Sometimes I review my pics, just to relive the experience.
Very jealous! Sometimes I find myself forgetting about being on a vacation, because I get so caught up in the photography. Beautiful work!
Fabulous photos Doug. I too love to travel and take photographs and you question is very intriguing.
Wow you are amazing!! I visited SF for the first time last year and fell in love with it. You’re making me want to go back! I would also love to take wedding (or single) pictures in City Hall…how beautiful.
Lovely photos, looks like you’re living the good life. Congrats on FP.
I am in love with taking photos in San Francisco~!
junoimage.wordpress.com
To answer the question “Is Travel Photography about Travel or Photography” I’d lean more to answer it’s about travel. Photography is broad and it could be anything. To me, travel photography would give me a feeling of “being there”. The photo should be able to enhance my other senses; make me feel like I’m drinking in this cafe, make me feel like the sun is basking on my skin, make me feel like I can smell the flowers in the garden, or even make me feel like I have met the person in your portrait.
Your photos are amazing and I do feel that some of them did take me (back) to San Francisco =)
Thank you!
Beautiful photos!
Your photography is incredible and I absolutely loved reading what you had to say about it all!
WOW! I am in love with several of your photos! You have a gift for sure. Thank you so much for posting this.
As for your question: I have always felt like my camera was an appendage and I am not sure what I would do without it. With that said I have often forced myself into situations and left my camera behind on purpose…now this has never stopped me from snapping a few shots with my phone but I is a totally different feeling. Like I’m not trying to savor this place late…I am enjoying and living within this space right now. And in a way only for right now.
Hi Doug:
I’m a photographer myself, but at the early stages of the trade. Still learning the tricks of the trade. I loved each and every one of your pictures. They’re interesting, sharp, and full of bright colors. Thank you so much for sharing. I have much to learn ahead of me. Am glad I saw your pictures to wake me up and start taking better pictures.
Regards,
Omar.-
Although I don’t travel much, I take a lot of pictures in my town. While taking pictures, people come up to me and start talking. I see things I wouldn’t normally see and eat things I normally wouldn’t eat. So it’s about the whole experience.
My favorite pictures – the plate of food! They are all great though.
so beautiful…amazing pictures.. 😀
San Francisco is one of my favorite cities to travel to and photograph. The Palace of Fine Arts is one of my favorite subjects there, and the Wharf. I’ve found it’s one of the best places to play around with HDR photography – since there’s lots of fog you never know what you’re going to get. Beautiful photos, they’re making me nostalgic! Thank you so much for sharing them!
Great photos….. enjoyed it. 🙂
AWESOME PICTURES!!! They bridge picture is beautiful!
awesome photos- I view art as a journey, so whether you are traveling or at home it is always about how you get there.
I also love photography.All pictures are very vvvvvvvvvv beautiful.Good photography.
Amazing pictures! 🙂
Amazing photography! Thank you for sharing!
An inspiring post for me. I love travel photography, but I am not very good at it. Keep trying.
For me, the photography is as important as the travel, but for my wife it is mainly the travel.
Fantastic shots! I love traveling and of course taking the pictures. I haven’t had much nerve yet to take night shots but yours inspire me to give it a go!
Travel photography is the best! It always brings a good feeling when you’re able to re-live the experience while looking back at the pictures you’ve taken. I’m only twenty-one years old and I regret not taking pictures like these when I went traveled, so I’m going to make sure from now on to bring my camera and force myself to take pictures!
I love your shot underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. The fog gives it a good touch and l reminds me of my trips to the bay! I miss home so much and I can’t wait to go back….
I love the commentary with your shots. Some great pointers. I spent the late 60’s, early 70’s in San Francisco. Even lived for a time at Haight and Waller, one block up from Ashbury. And I don’t have one dang photo from those days. Lot’s of memories, though!
Your pictures are lovely. By the way, the outdoor shot you had reservations about? I think the light conditions you took it in made it stand out from typical shots.
Nice work! Love the wedding shot. Don’t you just love it when you stumble upon the perfect setup?
Some great images. It certainly takes a large helping of patience and a dash of luck to pull off some shots. Good equipment is essential. I’m very jealous of you Palace of Fine Arts night scene. They were repairing it when I was there 😦
Congratulations on being freshly pressed! Those photos were impressive! I just recently moved to the Bay Area, if you don’t mind me asking, how do you get to the spot where you took the shot of Golden Gate Bridge, your second photo in this post? Thanks!
I”m thinking Fort Point is where I was when I took that shot, the top floor of Fort Point can get you some interesting angles under the bridge.
thanks for the nice tips!! these are really beautiful photos!! plus.. i wish i could have a chance to go to San Francisco too~
Truly beautiful photography! Are these all taken around San Francisco? We are moving to California and have yet to explore San Fran, but it’s on our list. We may have to stop at some of these destinations! City Hall is gorgeous! Congrats on getting freshly pressed!
Great photos, I espcially like the ones of the archways near the pond, I’ve been there before, it’s beautiful. I agree, travel photography is the best because you can be home and see other places thousands of miles away through the eyes of another traveler.
http://www.cityarbiter.wordpress.com
This is inspiration to learn how to do it better, and get a better camera! Great photos!
Haha… I agree about it being awkward to use a DSLR for street photography. It sure is easier with a smaller camera but I think that the end result of the DSLR picture is definitely worth looking like a creeper for…
These shots are gorgeous! I’m a current resident of SF, and it’s wonderful seeing the beauty of this city through your photos. 🙂
nice pics…
Hello there! Great post! Great photos!
I am a photography enthusiast and this post of yours inspired me to go out there and wait for the right time to take a shot.
Thank you for inspiring young photography enthusiasts!
Love the closeup of what i assume is the goldengate. except the colour is wrong somewhere. Actually I love them all. The diner shot was brilliant as well. I haven’t mastered night shots. I guess there is only so much you can do with a point and click canon:)
If it’s grey, it’s the bay bridge and not the golden gate.
These shots are brilliant – San Fran is one of my favorite cities…makes me want to go back!