California 2006

I can't believe they approved this trip

So I go back to California. It starts as a visit to a conference for work. Then we add a visit to our L.A. area office. Then, well, I may as well stop at Yosemite 'on the way.' Then, well, I may as well spend a few extra days in San Francisco. The result, 10 days of a dude and his cameras, and the first serious shooting expedition with the new Nikon D200. Yep, Bonte's gone digital, kind of. 2300 photos and a lot of picking and choosing yield some of the most spectacular (if I do say so myself) photos I've ever taken. If nothing else, the freedom of not worrying about 'using up' film has let me run wild. Fear not, there are a few rolls of Fuji Velvia at the lab right now.

For those that follow along... yes there are a bunch of repeat images from last fall. I wanted to compare the D200 to my old friend Elitechrome. Digital takes the cake on the computer screen, but projected I still favor the slides.

Updated:  Sunday, May 14, 2006

Yosemite Valley 2006

This was my first visit to Yosemite National Park, and also my first real outing with the Nikon D200. It took a full day to get oriented to the park and the camera, but by day 2 I knew where to be… and when!

Mike At Yosemite Valley Mike At Yosemite Valley Bullion Street Downtown Mariposa Giant Sequoia
Oh! So Tall Bachelor & Three Graces Babbling Brook The Grizzly Giant The Clothespin Tree
The Clothespin Tree Wawona Meadow Yosemite Valley Bridalveil Falls El Capitan
Merced River Yosemite Falls Yosemite Falls Bridalveil Falls

San Francisco, May 2006

All sorts of goodness from one of the most photogenic cities on the planet. The Golden Gate, the hills, the architecture, the beach, and who could forget... the Cable Cars! Why do I take so many pictures of Cable Cars? Cause they are funky... duh. Nikon D200.

Cursed Bay Area Traffic Ghirardelli Square Cable Car Turnaround San Francisco Bay Evening A Golden California Sunset
Golden Gate Bridge Night Golden Gate Bridge Night Dragon Gate Grant Ave. Mason St. Cable Cars
Tight Fit The Painted Ladies Kite Flying At Pacific Beach Kiteboarding At Pacific Beach High Flying Kites
Golden Gate Bridge Mike At Point Bonita Golden Gate Bridge Dancing In The Moonlight Cliff House Long Exposure
Coit Tower Telegraph Hill San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge A Cruise Is In! Coit Tower Stairs
Coit Tower Lobby Well… Howdy Pahdnah Lombard Street Lombard Street Lombard Street
Lombard Street Greenery Lombard Street Flowers Lombard Street Architecture Mike's Brick At The Golden Gate Bridge The View From My Brick
Walking The Golden Gate Nobody At The Middle Mason Cable Cars At Night Columbus Ave. Two Ships In The Night
The Silhouetted Rider Hyde St. Car Cell Block Evening Cable Car PowerPlant Tourists! Ack!
Rice-A-Roni Fort Point & Golden Gate Bridge Fort Point Shadows Fort Point Hallway Fort Point Officer's Quarters
Fort Point Fort Point Arches

Alcatraz Island, May 2006

I took an evening trip out to the island, which is quite a bit more dramatic than the standard 'day' tour. The mood in the prison changes drastically as the sun goes lower, and the smaller group of people makes the place feel that much more isolated.

The Rock San Francisco Bay Alcatraz Island North Side Alcatraz Island Welcome Sign Alcatraz Seagulls
Alcatraz Flowers Alcatraz Abandoned Alcatraz Cell Alcatraz Mess Hall Solitary Confinement
Wildflowers At Alcatraz Cell Block Evening Claustrophobia Cell Block Evening Cell Block Evening
Alcatraz Evening Alcatraz Watchtower Alcatraz Sunset