Hi all :) I absolutely live this forum for all the helpful advice that has been givin to me while starting out. You all are amazing! I reside in the prairies in Alberta Canada, and have been offered a free trip to California to take some family pictures. As I live in the prairies I am not used to shooting near the water. Are there any useful tips anyone can offer up? Would a polarizer be a good investment for near the water? I have heard they don't do we'll with skin tones though.
Also can anyone recommend some good places to givin San Fran to get some incredible backdrops?
One last question if anyone out there is from the Modesto area, where would be the best place to hit up on Black Friday for some new equipment ;)
Thanks everyone!!
Kelly
BHC
Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
Kweenk wrote:
One last question if anyone out there is from the Modesto area, where would be the best place to hit up on Black Friday for some new equipment
Costco, Sam's Club, Walmart, Target, Best Buy
In Sacramento, Pardee's!
Do those places all sell prof equipment? I'm looking to possibly get a 5d mark II or III, and maybe some new lenses
Hey Alberta, you won't find any professional equipment at CostCo, WalMart, Target et al. Full frame cameras and good glass don't exist at these retail stores. Mostly DSLR's with Kit Lenses. I don't know Pardee's as I live in Southern California. I can't speak to filters. Anywhere in SF is great for photos/backdrops, from Lombard Street to the Golden Gate Bridge. Good luck and have fun :mrgreen:
try to get ahold of a copy of PhotoSecrets San Francisco & Northern California by Andrew Hudson this will give you a list of locations t/o S.F and all the surrounding areas.it also has a list of Photo stores in the areas.its a great book.you can find it on amason used.
And yes, a polarizer would be a good investment for glare from the water.
Why you are in hiding Alberta,Canada?????
BHC
Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
RealBohemian wrote:
Why you are in hiding Alberta,Canada?????
From the looks of the avatar, Sturges! LOL
One favorite location is Golden Gate Bridge North Vista Point. Use Google to find location. you get to it by going across the bridge on hwy 1 north. Just past the bridge you will find a view point to the right of the bridge of the city (first off ramp), but the view that is the best is found just beyond (not more than 1/8 mile) the first turnoff to a second off ramp to the Golden Gate Bridge North vista point (I recall there is a brown sign on the highway about this viewpoint). The turnoff goes to the right under hwy 1 and back up the hill side on the left of hwy 1 on Conzelman rd. You will find a fantastic view of both the bridge and the city at that location. You will be looking at the city pictured through the bridge from the ocean side.
BHC
Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
My favorite location for SF backgrounds is the top of Telegraph Hill with views of both bridges, Lombard Street, the Bay and so much more - the perfect one-stop location.
There are many places and sites to see for the photographer. You will not run out of vistas and specatacluar backgrounds.
If you cross the golden gate bridge, go to the Marin headlands for a gorgeous view back to the city and bridge from above.
Urban backdrops include the Haight, chinatown, fishermans wharf, japantown, Union Square, Lombard st, Alcatraz and Angels islands. Not to mention the many victorian row houses in great colors.
The cable cars going up and down the hills will certainly be different for you.
A polarizer for any area is a good thing to have with you whether or not you are shooting near water.
I'm not familar with stores in the valley so well, but cannot think any camera store carrying the 5D mark III or II is going to be your best bet for a lower price. (as opposed to on line) Here in the peninsula, there are great camera stores, but not at a discount.
You will have a great time, SF will be a blast.
For equip go to china town. Dozens of camera shops. Golden gate park Japanese tea garden is great location
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