I hope you aren’t getting bored with these Sutro Baths images because I have one more! The day I went to Sutro Baths with my camera club was so amazing that I went back the very next day to take some pictures on my own. This one was a result of that. It’s a long staircase down to where I was standing for this shot. I didn’t go all the way down to the beach because I found this vantage point and rather liked it. The colors were amazing! I’ve been shooting sunsets with the shade white balance and I’m liking the results so far over deepening the tone in Lightroom or Photoshop.
Shine on and a Warning
After the shot, I packed up my things and started heading up the long staircase in the dark with my headlamp on. Someone who was exercising the stairs stopped and chatted with me all the way up (as I was huffing and puffing trying to look like it was no big deal), and part of me wondered if he was going to rob me. Turns out he was just someone nice who was chatty. Thank goodness because just in the last few weeks after this outing there have been muggings of camera equipment in this exact spot! It’s happening more and more around the picturesque places in San Francisco and it seems that my experience was a forewarning to be heeded.
Thankfully I have my camera club, because there is safety in numbers. Most likely never go to these spots by myself again which is really sad to me. There’s something meditative about taking photos alone and I really enjoy it, but I won’t be doing that anymore in San Francisco. Another change I’m making is to purchase some pepper spray. It’s legal in California so I’ve ordered some on Amazon. Just in case. I think if I were tackled for my equipment I’d give it up but you never know when the spray might come in handy. Also, it’s time I get insurance for my equipment. Sadly I don’t have any yet but that is changing and soon. I can’t risk losing thousands of dollars of equipment because I can’t replace it overnight.
So please everyone, when out taking photographs, always watch for who is around you, get insurance for your equipment and try to take photos with someone else.
That’s my two cents! And more. 🙂
Laura Macky Photography 
October 8, 2016 at 8:01 am
That is so sad, I would hate to be in fear all the time of someone stealing my stuff, and or hurting me for it. I would get pepper spray for sure! What a beautiful shot that is too.
October 8, 2016 at 8:06 am
It really is Mary. Now I will always be wondering. 😦 Thanks about the shot!
October 8, 2016 at 8:18 am
Here’s some Shine On I think you’ll like from my friend May!
October 8, 2016 at 8:20 am
So sad that this is the world we live in today. Be safe Laura.
October 8, 2016 at 9:50 am
It really is John. 😦 Thank you.
October 8, 2016 at 9:48 am
Bad news. Sorry to hear it.
October 8, 2016 at 9:50 am
Thanks Victor.
October 8, 2016 at 10:22 am
Sad that this warning is necessary, but thanks!
October 8, 2016 at 1:59 pm
You’re welcome.
October 8, 2016 at 11:17 am
Nice shot and processing. I like the leading line curving out from the left corner to the center. On my monitor the hole in the rock farthest out looks like a heart leaning slightly to the left.
October 8, 2016 at 1:59 pm
Thanks so much for commenting on the image and that you saw the leading line. And yes! That hole looks like a heart and leans to the left. Nice observation. Thanks again David. 🙂
October 8, 2016 at 11:36 am
Great shot and effect, Laura! 🙂
No one is going to want to go with me through trees and bushes full of spider webs and creepy crawlies! 🙂
October 8, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Thank you Tom! That’s a good point! It’s the subject matter which puts me in danger.
October 8, 2016 at 11:54 am
Nice shot! The warning was definitely a reality check 🙂
October 8, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Thank you! I’m glad it was. I’ve finally woken up!
October 8, 2016 at 1:19 pm
For her birthday, the husband of one of my co-workers gave her a taser! And I live in a nice town, too. It’s a crazy world out there, Laura. Do be careful.
October 8, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Maybe I need one! Probably more effective than pepper spray. I’m going to google lol. Thank you Lois. 🙂
October 8, 2016 at 1:36 pm
Gorgeous!
October 8, 2016 at 2:01 pm
Thank you! Much appreciated. 🙂
October 8, 2016 at 2:40 pm
So glad that you took the chance to this beautiful shot. Love the use of the Shade WB – the result is stunning!
So sad that you have to think this way, but best to be safe to shoot another day.
October 8, 2016 at 4:06 pm
Thank you Robyn. I learn something new every day. Well almost. 😉.
October 8, 2016 at 9:10 pm
I love that!
October 9, 2016 at 3:35 pm
🙂
October 8, 2016 at 3:06 pm
Loved your expression ‘ thats my 2 cents’ – we say penny’s worth
Certainly you had a double take on your fellow photographer. I never go out alone to take photos – probably because I don’t drive so always go with a Grou but your capture is really wonderful – just love the light on the water
October 8, 2016 at 4:07 pm
Thank you Diana. I didn’t even realize I said that until you mentioned it. Funny how our sayings are similar with coins. And yes I saw that guy way out there. Too far to help me if I had a problem though!
October 8, 2016 at 4:48 pm
Gorgeous!
October 9, 2016 at 3:34 pm
Thank you so much!
October 8, 2016 at 5:10 pm
Lovely shot and good advice
October 9, 2016 at 3:34 pm
Thanks Belinda. I thought everyone should be aware.
October 8, 2016 at 5:46 pm
Beautiful photo, be safe out there.
October 9, 2016 at 3:34 pm
Thanks Terry. I’ll do my best!
October 9, 2016 at 2:47 am
Nope!! But, you are very Roman, with all these Baths!
October 9, 2016 at 3:36 pm
hahaha
October 9, 2016 at 12:02 pm
Without thinking about the possibility of being mugged, I was chuckling at your comment about huffing and puffing the whole way up the stairs. I’m sure I would be, too!
Lovely image and the story is good, too
October 9, 2016 at 3:37 pm
lol…I’m glad that made you chuckle. I chuckled when I typed it there. 🙂 Thanks for your comment.
October 9, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Laura, your pictures are too beautiful for us to get bored of. Thanks for the warning about camera theft. I feel bad for being cautious around chatty strangers, but it’s better safe than sorry. So far so good. I hope you never meet a thief. Today we met a young fellow walking a scary-looking dog. They both turned out to be nice. Big sigh of relief. 🙂
Blessings ~ Wendy
October 9, 2016 at 3:39 pm
Thank you so much Wendy. 🙂 You are so nice. And I don’t blame you for being cautious. A guy with a dog is scary! I guess unless it’s a Pekinese 😉 I was very weary of that chatty guy walking up the stairs. fortunately it turned out ok and he walked me to my car after we talked.
October 9, 2016 at 4:05 pm
I’m more comfortable with Pekinese than Pitbulls. But I have met some nice Pitbulls and some grumpy small dogs. 🙂
October 9, 2016 at 4:12 pm
Yes to both of those. The grumpy small dogs can’t do much damage though. The not-nice pitbulls can. I’m not a pitbull fan.
October 9, 2016 at 2:35 pm
I love to go out by myself I work better, but there is always the fear factor, and in this world no matter where you live – no -one is really safe by themselves. Beautiful shot Laura. Oh, and I sympathize with the huffing and puffing bit.
October 9, 2016 at 3:39 pm
I work better by myself as well. I wonder why that is. Yeah that huffing and puffing. WHEW! 😉 Thanks for your comment Karen.
October 10, 2016 at 12:45 pm
You’re welcome Laura.
October 9, 2016 at 4:49 pm
That’s a real shame the crime there is on the rise. I guess I can relate being from Detroit! 🙂 Stunning photograph – one that no doubt leaves more of a positive feeling of the location than a negative one.
October 10, 2016 at 7:24 am
Yes! I’m from Oakland so we are related in some way LOL.
October 9, 2016 at 7:13 pm
It is indeed too easy to get too involved in what we’re enjoying to pay proper attention to our surroundings. I’m so glad you beat those odds, and especially because of this exquisite payoff. Gorgeous!
xoxo,
Kath
October 10, 2016 at 7:25 am
Thank you Kath! I’m going to have to revert to my Oakland roots in being more aware of my surroundings. And always go with someone.
October 10, 2016 at 5:54 am
Excellent photo, Laura. Interesting thought on using the Shade setting for the White Balance. I was wondering if you had taken the same shot with AWB and the Shade setting in quick succession, then in LR or Photoshop changed the AWB version to Shade, found that there was a difference when comparing the two exposures, and came to the conclusion that the camera version was more appealing.
October 10, 2016 at 7:27 am
Thank you Robin. And to further explain, I still used saturation and some adjustments to highlights to achieve the look but the basic colorization is much different. I used it on the marina photo of the boat as well. It’s fun experimenting!
October 10, 2016 at 6:13 am
Wise words Laura……sad, but true
October 10, 2016 at 7:27 am
sighs
October 10, 2016 at 9:04 am
This is a stunning capture, Laura! Great lighting and beautiful colors, as always. Love the foreground!
I used to take trail walk alone with my camera almost every weekend in the early morning when I’m not traveling. I don’t anymore after I heard about robbing iPhones on the train and on street. Very sad.
Thank you so much for the warning.
October 10, 2016 at 12:08 pm
What is this world coming to? It is so sad. :(((((( Thank you for the compliment on the photo and for stopping by. 🙂
October 10, 2016 at 10:09 am
Cool photo…. Ur advise stayed within too
October 10, 2016 at 12:12 pm
Thank you Mr. Obeezy 🙂
October 10, 2016 at 12:15 pm
U are welcome with open arms
October 10, 2016 at 12:44 pm
🙂
October 10, 2016 at 2:56 pm
That is very depressing news about the muggings. I usually go out with my wife but there have been occasions when I venture out alone. In the middle of the desert. Not smart nowadays.
October 10, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Maybe I’m the middle of the desert is better than around the golden gate for instance. It’s really sad because I enjoy going out on my own.
October 11, 2016 at 2:16 am
I could never get sick of the Sutro baths. Another great shot Laura 😃
October 11, 2016 at 8:03 am
Thank you Julie. Me either!!
October 11, 2016 at 12:06 pm
I haven’t been to Sutro Baths, but have seen many, many photos of the area. All of them have been very pretty.
Also, rather unfortunate about the theft/mugging for camera equipment. A few years ago, we had a similar problem but went away due to more aggressive policing (cops caught the guy). Then, it was iphones (cops caught them too). Occasionally, one does run into a nice, friendly person.
October 11, 2016 at 1:46 pm
It really is a sad situation. It would be great if they could police these areas more or have someone there all the time but funds are probably too tight for it. Great that they caught the guy that stole your camera equipment! And yes I’m glad the guy I ran into was a friendly sort. It was relieving.