Month: July 2011

SF-88L is the only NIKKE missile battery in the in the country preserved in its original appearance. Part of the battery is located underground with inadequate lighting for normal photography. Consequently, be sure to have a tripod or flash attachment handy. Volunteers are most willing to demonstrate the missile site systems. Besides photographing this cold war relic, beautiful lush green hills and coastal areas nearby offer photographic opportunities. You also might want to stop off at  the Marin Headlands Visitor Center to check out their exhibits and have coffee.
Directions: Traveling north on route 101, after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, take the Alexander Avenue exit 442 (the second exit). Travel through a cut in the mountain, then turn slightly left onto Danes Drive that soon becomes Bunker Road and passes through a tunnel. After exiting the tunnel, continue west on Bunker Road for approximately 2.5 miles. You will reach a fork in the road. Veer to the left on Field Road. About 150 yards after the fork you will see the Marin Headlands Visitor Center on your right. Site SF-88L will be the first right you come to beyond the Visitor Center parking lot. It’s about a quarter mile up the hill to the gate.

Gary Larsen

This 2.5 acre garden is located at 1552 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek 94598. The focus is on water conserving plants with it’s 2,000 cactus, succulents, trees and shrubs from around the world. Admission is $10 for adult and $7 for seniors. Parking is at the office entrance at 1500 Bancroft Road. Tripods are allowed as long as they are set up on paths.

Here are a few tips on photographing plants: Try to find some unique perspective to make the composition more interesting then just a catalog photo. How about including wasps, bees or any king of crawling critters. Try different depths of field by shooting at several aperture settings. Use a diffuser to eliminate harsh sunlight. Fill a frame with a single flower, leaf or plant for more detail as opposed to including too much background that may be distracting. In other words, try different techniques that may capture the beauty of these plants.

Gary Larsen