Pre-DGrin B-Day Party Shoot Thread!

Phyxius

Well, I'm hoping that by now you've all seen the thread about the party for DGrin's birthday! Now, we just need to discuss some pre-shoot ideas!

To reiterate party info...
When - Saturday, December 6, 2008
Where - Tied House in Mountain View, California.
Nearest Airports - SJC (San Jose), SFO (San Francsico), and OAK (Oakland)

Andy

Friday afternoon and evening @ Santa Cruz???

Phyxius

4LeggedFotos and I are flying in to SFO and will land at 9:42 pm on Tuesday, December 2. We fly out of SFO on Monday, December 8 at 1:35 pm. We're both up for shooting and travelling.

Some ideas...
Alcatraz - Night Tours include sunset views of the Golden Gate Bridge, but of course weather is variable and may be a bust. Tickets are $33 online. Day tours begin at 9am with ferry times every 30 minutes until 2pm and are $26.

Fisherman's Wharf - Aquarium of the Bay looks like an AWESOME aquarium and may be a nice indoor stop if the weather is wet and cold. Maybe do a little shopping (Ann!) and eat lunch at [url=www.pier39.com[/url]Pier 39[/url] while photographing the world-renowned sea lions and watching street performers.

Napa Valley Wine Train - This looks interesting and may be a fun way to squeeze in a trip to Napa, a meal, and some wine. Check it out!

Roaring Camp Railroads- I know there are some train enthusists here! So maybe check out The Roaring Camp Steam Trains for a trip up Bear Mountain through the redwoods.

And, so much more. I know April has lots of ideas, so hopefully she'll post in this thread too!

Phyxius

Andy wrote:

Friday afternoon and evening @ Santa Cruz???

Sure!!!

aktse

Andy wrote:

Friday afternoon and evening @ Santa Cruz???

That works with my plan... been giving a day trip some thought with Ann and Christina coming to town and came up with one possible route and a backup rain pan.

If weather is nice (no massive rain), I thinking of letting people follow me for a quick tour of the California Coast Experience.

Sunrise: Baker Beach: -- People out of town always want a view of golden gate while people who have been here want to avoid this. This spot should have different things to photograph depending on where you go and what you're interested in.


We head down the coast to Pacifica. Maybe Dee will show us a spot or two if we see Sun does peak out and burn off the fog. If not, we head south down high way 1.

And then head into Half Moon Bay and stop for anything interesting


Or, a pit shop at any of the turnouts.


And see sea animal, wild life, waves and textures or photographers in the wild in Pescadero and Boony Doons or Doon XXXX or something like that.


There is a shot from here in the latest canon lens book (or some other major canon publication) that will be released soon.

And then we spend the afternoon, sunset in Santa Cruz, maybe at the natural bridge, or boardwalk, etc.

I'm thinking of making Skippy a guinea pig (tend to do that with people -- use them as test subjects) and do a trial run, but she does not know this yet.

Rain plan -- the new California Academy of the Sciences or the Tech Museum

Anyways... I might change my mind or be forced to work that day. TBD.

Ann McRae

There are daily direct flights from Edmonton to SFO, one arrives at about 9 a.m. and the other at 4:30 p.m. I am thinking I will arrive Thursday, and if Christina and 4LeggedPhotos are up to one of those day trips (Napa, Trains) on Thursday I am for too and will book the right flight to be there.
April, looks like you have Friday under control! Sounds great to me.

And then there is still Saturday and Sunday!

ann

aktse

Phyxius wrote:

...
Some ideas...
Alcatraz - Night Tours include sunset views of the Golden Gate Bridge, but of course weather is variable and may be a bust. Tickets are $33 online. Day tours begin at 9am with ferry times every 30 minutes until 2pm and are $26.

Fisherman's Wharf - Aquarium of the Bay looks like an AWESOME aquarium and may be a nice indoor stop if the weather is wet and cold. Maybe do a little shopping (Ann!) and eat lunch at Pier 39 while photographing the world-renowned sea lions and watching street performers.

Napa Valley Wine Train - This looks interesting and may be a fun way to squeeze in a trip to Napa, a meal, and some wine. Check it out!

Roaring Camp Railroads- I know there are some train enthusists here! So maybe check out The Roaring Camp Steam Trains for a trip up Bear Mountain through the redwoods.

...

It all really depends on what you want to do and Napa is about one and half to two hours up north (depend on how fast you drive) If Ann comes into town earlier, I think the three of you should hit Napa together. The wine train is okay, but for photographers, it's much better just to drive up there and wander with a list of places you want to hit and blow the money on buying good wine or at a fancy eatery. Plus, there so much good food up there in the small towns, and so many wines tastings. I just don't think you want to be locked in a train (unless you want to a lot). I think a picnic lunch on one of the grounds is pretty awesome way to spend the afternoon with some nice wine, cheese and bread.... If you go to Napa, plan to spend the entire day there. Most people think Napa is just once city, but the vineyards are spread out over many, many, many miles. You might be able find to find some places that rent bikes and ride a round.



I think lunch and dinner is a good way to spend at Napa. On on the way back south, take the route that takes you through SF and stop at the Marin Headleands. Once you're in Hawk Hill, you have choice of three turnouts that give you a good view of the bridge at night. But it also might be fogged in. You can never predict... There is a good reason why Liquid Air checks the various web cams and tidal maps before he heads out to water locations.

But if you're lucky, you'll see this at night:


And I recently took Steph, Travis, Dan, Ken and Cal on the Night tour of Alcatraz. It's touristy, and more of a museum than anything else, but a really cool museum and crowded! IF you want to go at night, get tickets early because they sell out and I have hosted guests who had sad stories of going there and not being able to go. And you a good view of the city.



Warning: Ann is going to laugh at me, but SF is cold and windy in the winter. Non-natives hear CA, and think shorts and t-shirts and all the visitors are caught off guard and buy the kitschy clothing items to cover up. December is very much grey and over-casted and usually windy.

And there is also a train place on the east bay too.

As for the Wharf and other places in the city (presidio , mission district, embaradero, etc) , I think maybe Saturday if the weather holds? We can easily get there there, wander around, and get back south before the party.

Any other questions?

Ann McRae

aktse wrote:

Warning: Ann is going to laugh at me, but SF is cold and windy in the winter. Non-natives hear CA, and think shorts and t-shirts and all the visitors are caught off guard and buy the kitschy clothing items to cover up. December is very much grey and over-casted and usually windy.


As for the Wharf and other places in the city (presidio , mission district, embaradero, etc) , I think maybe Saturday if the weather holds? We can easily get there there, wander around, and get back south before the party.

Any other questions?

Haha April....I've actually been to San Fran three or four times. A very good friend used to live there. For reasons that totally escape me she came back to Canada

Anyway, I've been to a ball game at Candlestick in June. We drove up and saw locals wearing touques and mitts, and winter parkas! We could not believe it! And then by about the fourth inning, as the fog rolled down the sides of the stadium, we figured out why!

I wouldn't bring my summer clothes to San Fran in the winter, but I'll probably leave my -40C gear home!

Thanks for all the info! This will be great.

ann

Sam

Ann McRae wrote:

Haha April....I've actually been to San Fran three or four times. A very good friend used to live there. For reasons that totally escape me she came back to Canada

Anyway, I've been to a ball game at Candlestick in June. We drove up and saw locals wearing touques and mitts, and winter parkas! We could not believe it! And then by about the fourth inning, as the fog rolled down the sides of the stadium, we figured out why!

I wouldn't bring my summer clothes to San Fran in the winter, but I'll probably leave my -40C gear home!

Thanks for all the info! This will be great.

ann

Ann,

I wouldn't bring my summer clothes to San Francisco in the summer.

Sam

Sam

Alice,

Please keep me in mind with regard to the pre B day party photo excursions. I would love to help out.

Sam

Dee

In Pacifica we have about 4 good sites for photography. Starting at the north end of town, actually in Daly City is Mussel Rock, known to para sailers as the dumps. http://www.sftandem.com/article/AvoidingBlowBack.htm I like it for the coastal views north and south.

The next area is the Pacifica Pier, http://www.flickr.com/groups/pacifica_pier/pool/10126823@N00/ the walk along the seawall to Mori Point http://www.flickr.com/groups/mori/pool/ and the climb up to the top for more views. (I have not climbed up to the top, the walk is way too far for me.)

The next two areas are Rockaway Beach http://www.flickr.com/groups/rockawaybeachcalifornia/pool/ and Linda Mar Beach (Pacifica State Beach) with the "famous" Taco Bell on the beach.

For the adventurous you can walk across the rocks in the creek and climb up an ultra steep hill to the top for some views looking down. Or, go to the southern end of Rockaway beach, park and walk up the paved switchbacks to the top of the hill and walk the edge for some good views of both Rockaway and Linda Mar Beach.

We also have Segway at Rockaway, which gives local tours, experienced Segway riders can rent them. Scroll down to get to the Pacifica part. http://www.segwayofsf.com/Tours/tabid/245/Default.aspx My photo, taken from the car at Rockaway Beach



My photo galleries are such a mess I can't show my own photos... also searching in google for images would be helpful.

I always have a jacket in the car, along with some "fuzzy" pullovers for when it starts cooling off late afternoon, and in case the wind comes up. It is sometimes colder in the so-called summer than in the winter. If it is not raining, we should have some nice clear sunny days that time of year as the fog season has pretty much passed us by (famous last words, of course!). Those who are coming from the cold will find Pacifica quite warm by comparison, and those coming from the warmer climates will think it's cold. Daytime temps usually are from 55 to 65 throughout the year, but it gets colder at night, 40 degrees to 50 degrees. http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USCA0822?from=weekend_bottomnav_undeclared You will notice that Pacifica gets some rain throughout the year with our rainy season from November through April, In the summer we get heavy fog/fog drizzle at night. It was misting last night, for example.

I'm going through a major photo sort, or search and destroy so to speak. Trying to clean up and keep the best photos. Unfortunately I have over 500 Gigabytes to go through. If I manage to get a good assortment, I'll set up a Pacifica album on Smugmug for you.

From north to south:

Mussel Rock (Daly City)
http://deegolden.smugmug.com/gallery/6080543_Rhcnz//381520843_FXPB6

Pacifica Pier
http://deegolden.smugmug.com/gallery/6079668_LzWcN//381499162_7czsi
A QTVR of the Pacifica Pier
http://www.bayareavr.net/fullscreen/?p=mid_pier

Shelldance (orchids, open weekends only or by appointment)
http://deegolden.smugmug.com/gallery/6080454_GLF3K//381512011_Gwrki

Rockaway Beach
http://deegolden.smugmug.com/gallery/6080395_euyQA//381507153_HyTCM
A QTVR of Rockaway Beach
http://www.bayareavr.net/fullscreen/?p=rockawaybeach1

Pacifica State Beach (Linda Mar State Beach, Taco Bell, restrooms, free parking)
http://deegolden.smugmug.com/gallery/6080477_skNuZ//381513087_Wa8rR

jdryan3

Marin Headlands great views of the bay and bridges, and much larger area than just where the GGB comes into Marin County, such as Point Bonita & Muir Beach. Next to it is Mt Tamalpais State Park. Hiking Mt Tam is not that strenuous but the view is fantastic.

One side note: if you don't like landscapes and more what I'll call 'industrial' shots (like Alcatraz), plenty of those also with the old gun batteries and NIKE missle sites.

BradfordBenn

Depends on what the L&T Wife (Gently Mad) ends up doing. If she comes with I am not sure she is going to want to go shooting.

Me, I just hope to learn something.

Ann McRae

Hey! There is a Scott Kelby Lightroom workshop in LA on December 4th. That might be a really great way to spend a day!

Anyone else interested in that?

ann

Ann McRae

Well, no takers for the Kelby training.

But a bit of a plan is in the works:

Thursday a.m. Ann arrives SFO, Phyxius and Fourleggedphoto pick her up - aren't they great! and we drive toward Napa.

Friday a.m. is all April's (aktse) to plan

Saturday, Nik and his daughter are driving up for sunrise, and current plan is to all meet at/near Alameda. Sunrise, breakfast, afternoon shoot with Nik...

Sunday, leave Mountainview for Monterey early but not for sunrise. I need to be back to the airport late afternoon.

Anyone else making plans or wanting to meet us?

ann

Ann McRae wrote:

Hey! There is a Scott Kelby Lightroom workshop in LA on December 4th. That might be a really great way to spend a day!

Anyone else interested in that?

ann

BradfordBenn

I am flying in with GentlyMad (da wife) on Friday morning. Hanging out with my brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew in San Francisco and that is about all I have planned. So where in Alameda for sunrise/breakfast? Not promising as I am not the cruise director on this one but figured I would see what the schedule looks like.

Ann McRae

BradfordBenn wrote:

So where in Alameda for sunrise/breakfast? Not promising as I am not the cruise director on this one but figured I would see what the schedule looks like.

Still TBD. Stay tuned.

Cygnus Studios

For those coming in early, don't forget to consider Pt. Reyes. The Elk are running like crazy, the drive is amazing, there are enough Hawks and Coyote to keep your shutter finger very busy.
The San Andreas fault line running near the info center offers plenty of interesting photo ops.
And if you are lucky, you may get to capture one of these.....

Ann McRae

Mmmmmmm! Thanks for that tip!
ann

Cygnus Studios wrote:

For those coming in early, don't forget to consider Pt. Reyes. The Elk are running like crazy, the drive is amazing, there are enough Hawks and Coyote to keep your shutter finger very busy.
The San Andreas fault line running near the info center offers plenty of interesting photo ops.
And if you are lucky, you may get to capture one of these.....

Ann McRae

Well, just in case it is miserable outside, I would be up for the this, California Academy of Science!


Oh, and I am sure I need the obligatory Pier whatever visit.....
ann

aktse

Ann McRae wrote:

Well, just in case it is miserable outside, I would be up for the this, California Academy of Science!


Oh, and I am sure I need the obligatory Pier whatever visit.....
ann

The new California Academy of Science is my rain plan.

Skippy and Sam spent ALL DAY there.

There were there when it opened for the day and they had to be shoved out the door when it closed.

Ann McRae

aktse wrote:

The new California Academy of Science is my rain plan.

thumb

BradfordBenn

That sounds pretty cool

Cygnus Studios

Across the way from the science building is the conservatory of flowers, which is another option.
The DeYoung museum of art and Arboreteum, are also nice rain weather options.

Nikolai

Ann McRae wrote:

Saturday, Nik and his daughter are driving up for sunrise, and current plan is to all meet at/near Alameda. Sunrise, breakfast, afternoon shoot with Nik...
Anyone else making plans or wanting to meet us?
ann

Just to avoid some possible confusion/misunderstanding: the "afternoon shoot" is a closed group (whoever is in, is in) due to the nature of agreement with the 3d party contractors; sunrise and breakfast are not:-)

Ann McRae

Anyone else planning specific shoots on the weekend?

Anyone interested in meeting along the way somewhere Friday or Sunday? Just wondering if we should make our start points public, or if anyone wants to know how to contact us next week.

ann

Pittspilot

Ann McRae wrote:

Well, just in case it is miserable outside, I would be up for the this, California Academy of Science!


Oh, and I am sure I need the obligatory Pier whatever visit.....
ann

The word is the the Academy (newly opened) is chaotic and VERY crowded. Check!

I'd be up for the Alameda breakfast, thats close to my studio! You might also check the trails in the East Bay if you are into landscapes.

Let me know if people need rides.....

Pittspilot

Phyxius wrote:

Well, I'm hoping that by now you've all seen the thread about the party for DGrin's birthday! Now, we just need to discuss some pre-shoot ideas!

To reiterate party info...
When - Saturday, December 6, 2008
Where - Tied House in Mountain View, California.
Nearest Airports - SJC (San Jose), SFO (San Francsico), and OAK (Oakland)

Is there a time?

Cygnus Studios

Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tied House Brewing Co @ 7PM
954 Villa St
Mountain View, CA 94041


For anyone wanting to shoot in the North Bay this week, let me know. I am doing my best to keep most of my schedule clear through the party.

The weather is pretty clear this week although the fog is heavy in the mornings along the bay. Highs in the mid 60's.

Phyxius

I rented my car tonight.

We'll be landing at SFO around 10pm on Tuesday night.

You can skype, PM, or IM me or my cell number is 301.928.4225.

BradfordBenn

My big plans are seeing my niece and nephew. So I am not quite sure what is going to happen yet. Have MacBook...