I spent last Wednesday over on "The Rock" - Alcatraz in San Francisco. Alcatraz is a notorious maximum security prison on an island in the middle of SF Bay. Since 1973 it has been a national park. To visit the island you need to book tickets on the Blue & Gold fleet and reservations through the web or phone are strongly recommended since they fill up really fast. On the day I travelled I left on the first boat out 9:30AM and it was filled to the max. The 2 biggest problems I faced on the island shooting wise was the crowds and the wind. As soon as I got to the island I bypassed the lecture from the park ranger and walked right up to the cell block building. That is the only way to get uncrowded shots. There are tons of buildings on the island that are off limits that I would have loved to explore.
You can see my series of pictures of "The Rock" HERE
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on August 25, 2006 at 10:39 AM
I enjoyed your gallery, Rich. Great place for BW!
We tried to get tickets for a tour in August on our last trip to SF.
Everything was sold out at least 3 days in advance.
So, if you know your schedule, get the reservations ASAP.
Posted by Roger Rouch on August 25, 2006 at 10:55 AM
I like your photos very much, Rich. The B/W helps emphasize the bleak nature of things. Was probably no easy task dragging around a 4X5 set up.
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 25, 2006 at 12:02 PM
How'd you get in my house to take a picture of my office?
Posted by Les Barstow on August 25, 2006 at 12:37 PM
Great stuff, Rich! And your single color choice was excellent. Can't believe you managed to get the lot without tourists.
Posted by Jack Brauer on August 25, 2006 at 12:55 PM
excellent series
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on August 25, 2006 at 1:09 PM
This is a very powerful photograph. I am getting goose bumps. Thanks for posting.
Excellent work, Rich. You've got the touch with b&w. The Chapel Building shot is gorgeous!
Posted by Robbie George on August 25, 2006 at 8:30 PM
Rich, I really enjoyed looking at your gallery. The B&W plus your excellent eye for detail makes for some powerful images. Glad you posted these! Robbie
Posted by Dan Walters on August 25, 2006 at 8:56 PM
These are awesome images. I love the BW and the detail is very rich. I am sure there are alot of stories in those images.
Posted by Scott Buckel on August 25, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Rich - these are pretty cool - they really remind me about this place. You're making want to do some B&W!
Scott
Posted by Jim Talaric on August 26, 2006 at 12:25 AM
RichieV,
Way cool, especially the B&W. You've got the eye!
Jim
Posted by Tony Kuyper on August 26, 2006 at 9:35 PM
As much as I love nature photography, there's a great deal of power in these shots too.
Discussion
12 repliesYou can see my series of pictures of "The Rock" HERE
The image shown is from:
Wisner 4x5
Schneider 110mm XL
TMAX 100
D76H 1::3 24C n-dev
Overall "The Rock" is pretty cool.
RichieV
We tried to get tickets for a tour in August on our last trip to SF.
Everything was sold out at least 3 days in advance.
So, if you know your schedule, get the reservations ASAP.
Scott
Way cool, especially the B&W. You've got the eye!
Jim