Camera: Nikon L35AF
Film: Kodak Portra 400
Location: San Francisco, California viewed from the municipal pier
This photo shows San Francisco on a sunny, cloudless day from Municipal Pier. The pier is in semi-disrepair, with parts roped off and falling into the ocean.
But it’s a wonderful vantage point on the city. You can see a broad swatch of the skyline, including the iconic Transamerica Pyramid building and the looming new Salesforce Tower, both at left of frame. The tall ships of the Hyde Street Pier are just peeking out at the far left, and the Maritime Historic Park is in the foreground. It almost feels like this was taken on a boat.
In terms of an emulsion, I love how the subtle colors of Kodak Portra 400 bring out the blues in the water and sky without being obtrusive. This would be a very different photo shot on Ektar, like my photos from Half Moon Bay. It’s also very different from the soft, cinematic feel of a recent photo I shot on Cinestill.
It helps to divide the frame into three sections, with different blues above and below — nearly unbroken — and a line of colorful land and buildings in the middle of the frame.
This is also a great example of the capabilities and the look and feel of the Nikon L35AF. You get some really nice subtle vignetting in the corners, but a crisp feel throughout the frame. It’s kind of the camera’s signature look.
