Rust and Surf

Thanks for your comments!

I like the composition. Nicely done. Dan

This is gorgeous. What beautiful tones and the texture of the water is fantastic.

The chain links imitating the form of the bridge makes for a great composition. Great eye!

Love the composition with those chains and the bridge disappearing to the horizon. I think it would be a great picture with those two elements alone, but the crashing waves add even more to the shot. Well done.

A different perspective of the Golden Gate. and well executed too.

wonderful 7/7

Well, this is a new and different approach of all maritime scenes we are given the pleasure to contemplate. This a very good composition and all elemens seem to be carefully distributed and in the righ place. The slow shutter speed allowed to capture the strength of the waves. Very good indeed. Keep sharing beautiful images like this one.

Realy nice view.

A beautiful composition, Patrick!

Beautiful work!!!

Very interesting image of this very well-known perspective on the Golden Gate.

 

I've never seen quite those wave conditions there myself... in particular that angle of the incoming waves plus the low sunset light and still sunlight hitting the waves.

 

Can you tell us a bit more about when and how you photographed this scene and created the image?

 

Dan

Thanks for your comments!

 

Dan, There were a few things I waited for. The best time is right after a big winter storm with strong west winds. High tide is a must. For light to hit the chain, it should be around 3pm before the sun goes down to the left below the bridge. Clouds are a must for the best light. Compose it carefully so that the chain on the left does not touch the cement and the top of the post does not cut off the top line of the incoming wave. Then, bring plenty of plastic bags to cover the camera until right before you take the shot. The waves go right over the top, so stand your ground and let yourself get wet. And bring paper towels to wipe off the ND grads!

 

Patrick

 

Patrick, thanks for your detailed reply. Being there at the right time and conditions, ready to shoot, is probably more than half the battle. I hadn't thought about the light being lower earlier in winter, but that makes sense. This must be just before the sun drops below the ridge to your left from this spot.

 

Much appreciated.

 

Dan

I've never seen waves perpendicular to the direction of flow through the Golden Gate in San Francisco. Was the wave action caused from a passing container ship......?

Perfect!!!

Fantastic composition !

Thanks Michael and Ivan.

 

No Ray, it is just that when they come in big through the gate, they curve around the point like this. It does not happen often. That is when the surfers come out. These are 10 foot swells, not the 2 footers that the ships produce. Compare the swell to the van on the left!

Patrick

 

Great shot--I used to drive tour boats around SF bay and I'm glad you mentioned you used ND Grads because I couldn't figure out why the top of the bridge wasn't lit up.

very nice photo

Congratulations on a highly effective composition. Great image overall.

Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!

Thank you for the advice Patrick I love this shot, it is AWESOME! I love the city of San Francisco and will definitely take another SHOT (Pun intended) at it. :)

I lvoe it...not only a beatiful shot but an interesting one as well with chain and bridge interplay. The light on the chain really puts this one over the top for me.

Beautiful photgraph. I can still feel the cold water and the icy wind on my face from my days surfing that spot.