California Love
SF Henge 2022
I’ve become somewhat of an investigator of vantage points. In seeing some inspiring pieces of work, I often wonder where they were, how they got there, and sometimes, if it’s even a real composition. With the help of drones, telephoto compression, and of course, photoshop, photographs today can quickly become seemingly unreal, with some falling in the actuality of unreal.
If nothing else, it sparks a curiosity in me. A desire to get out, research conditions, study maps, and wander. Driving in the car, and hiking on the hillside or the concrete terrain of the nearby city. So, when I 1st saw the concept of cable car tracks leading up to the tower of the west span of the Bay Bridge, I was intrigued. No, I did not chase down geotracking. Didn’t hound other artists with DMs for shortcuts. I wandered. Eventually, with the trajectory, I found myself at the intersection where, with the right telephoto, all lined up perfectly.
But, now what? I had looked into some fun ideas for sun line ups on an app called Photopills, which will tell me when and where the sun, moon, and many other subjects, will line up. I knew months in advance I wanted to get the sun rising over this tower, so I marked it on the calendar for the right day and time.
The date arrived, and I was out early. I gave a heads up to a good friend & fellow photog, Derick Daily, and he met me there. Alongwith him, another friend, and a new acquaintance showing up solo, it was us 4 waiting to see what would transpire. Practice shots done, it was time, and the sun began to peak. But it’s the city. There are variables. And there came the Google bus (or some other corporate monstrosity) dead smack in our alignment. But, I ran behind it, set my tripod up in the middle of the SF street, and I got this shot you see here.
I was super grateful and happy it worked out. But, there was already chatter about a possible Day Two. With alignment being a little different, why not?
I was contacted by another well known Bay Area photog, Vincent James. He mentioned we could have called him, then inquired if we would return as he was planning to shoot there the following day. Also, he warned, “There was only the four of you? Tomorrow will be more crowded.”
I didnt think I had found some hidden gem, but I had no idea what would transpire. The following day, I arrived at the same time. And, after linking up with the crew, the crowd grew. Next thing you know, 50+ were taking up a lane & scattered throughout the intersection. Turns out, this is the San Francisco Henge. The event that happens twice a year as the sun makes its rounds, and perfectly aligns down California Street, San Francisco. For the past however many years, photogs throughout the Bay wait for this. Yes, I was a day early, but that was the shot I wanted, and planned.
After a potential shutdown for street interference by the SFPD, they allowed us to continue as we were minutes away from the rise. Seconds before the rise, I noticed a flame down the street. I zoomed in, and saw that an actual dumpster fire had begun down the block. I asked for confirmation, people yelled out to the observing cop, and he was on his way and off of our backs. Fire department showed up & contained the fire, and the residual smoke added depth to that days henge composition.
It was a wild weekend. Great shots were made, and new friends were met. Along with faces to names & social media handles I only knew in the digital world. And to think… it all started with a simple curiosity.
