Why would you want to take the same exact shots that others have already perfected or published? I'm not really sure, but many people do. My experience suggests, however, that even if you try to precisely duplicate an existing photo - even one of your own - you'll find that you can't because the conditions beyond your control are subtly different. As you think about the way that the conditions differ, you'll analyze weather, light intensity and direction, the elements of the setting, and often combine them in a manner appropriate for the moment, resulting in something that is your own creation. In other words, trying to imitate a photo can make you a good photographer.

I've picked out a number of good photos of the Golden Gate Bridge; not necessarily award winners, but good pictures. I license about 1000 photos of the Golden Gate Bridge per year; and can make a pretty good guess about what people like based on licensing data. For each picture I list all the technical details and describe exactly where and when the photo was taken. I give driving directions from San Francisco and provide foot-access information where it is applicable.

You might think that there is no way to get a bad shot of this subject. In fact, an infinite number of bad shots are possible. I have owned quite a few. Factors unrelated to composition can spoil a shot of the bridge. For example, consider that it runs almost due north-south. As the sun passes around the south side of the sky, its 3-foot diameter cables cast dark distracting shadows across the bridge's towers at certain times of day. Afternoon shots from the far end of Baker Beach (the easiest part to reach) result in washed-out colors despite the direct afternoon sun, because of the mist that whips across the Pacific Ocean just outside the Golden Gate. A tripod placed on the shifting sand of the beach - or on the wind-ravaged slopes of the Marin Headlands - will very often not succeed in its intended purpose, unless you take extra steps to anchor it well. In addition to notes on composition, these are the sorts of details that I discuss in the comments on the photos, and that can make the difference between a missed shot and one you could publish.

Click on an image below for a description of shooting from that location. In most cases I've included several different images for each location - hopefully enough to serve as some inspiration. Happy shooting, and don't forget a heavy jacket, even in the summer..