California is known for its stunning scenery, and this state is a host to many beautiful landmarks. It has Sea World, Disneyland, Hollywood, San Diego Zoo, and so much more. Yet perhaps the most notable site is the Golden Gate Bridge, which has appeared numerous times in multiple movies and television shows. This classically loved bridge is now, in 2012, in its seventy-fifth year. Its history goes back to a time during World War I, when a ferry system was used instead and the people called for a simpler way to cross from San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean. Many said that the bridge could not be built due to strong currents and fierce winds. Yet after the hard work of many designers and engineers, among them being the designer of the Manhattan Bridge in New York, the suspension bridge was completed to become a huge success and came to be recognized as a national symbol. Its large, majestic, and beautiful structure is incomparable to many other widely photographed bridges.
Golden Gate Bridge photography is not easily done. For one, this bridge has been captured so many times on camera that it’s hard to obtain a unique photo that can be set apart from all others. Also, many angles may be hard to capture. For instance, an aerial view would have to be taken from a helicopter to be able to attain an angle from the top. Also, there are some points of access that are not easily entered. That’s why it’s necessary to have someone who knows the bridge well, not to mention the San Francisco area, to take these photographs in order to capture its unique and little known points.
It is also vital to understand how to use zoom photography when photographing the Golden Gate Bridge. Many people like to take snapshots of the bridge from the bay area or from other faraway locations. You can only capture so much without using your zoom feature. A good photographer would find a camera with a powerful zoom to view all the fine details of this structure. This may require changing lenses to get the right effect.
California is also an excellent place to try moonbow photography if you want to take a detour from Golden Gate Bridge photography. A moonbow is a rainbow that comes from the effect of water being mixed with the light of the moon. This is rare but happens occasionally, and a quality photographer familiar with moonbows usually knows when and how to catch it. With all the manmade wonders of California, it’s nice to see a natural, though rare, occurrence. With the right skills and know-how, these spectacular subjects can be caught on camera.