Autumn at Valley View, Yosemite

Autumn at Valley View, Yosemite, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

Valley View is always spectacular, but I couldn't resist the highlights of fall color along the Merced River. It was a perfect fall day.

Canon 5D, 24-70L, f/14, 1/15, ISO 50. Circular polarizer.

Golden Gate Balancing Act

Golden Gate Balancing Act, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

I've been watching the sun move south over the past couple of weeks. Tonight it set right in the position I'd been waiting for: cradled in the span of the Golden Gate.

Canon 5D, Canon 100-400L, f/11, 1/100, ISO 50.

The Leaning Tree over the Merced, Yosemite

The Leaning Tree over the Merced, Yosemite, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

Most people were turned the other way at Sentinel Bridge, taking the famous photo of Half Dome reflected in the river. I couldn't resist the opposite view with the magic late afternoon Yosemite light that looks like a Bierstadt painting come to life.

Autumn Reflection, Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite

Autumn Reflection, Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

Yosemite was stunning this weekend: peak fall color and warm, 70-degree days. The waterfalls were even running, thanks to the recent storms in California.

This was taken at Valley View. I used a small aperture (f/22) and a low ISO to lengthen the exposure as much as possible to smooth the reflections.

Canon 5D, Canon 24-70L, f/22, 3.2s, ISO 50.

Bay Bridge Blue Hour

Bay Bridge Blue Hour, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

Shot between the Fire in the Sky and Slow Burn last Saturday night.

Heading to Yosemite this weekend for fall color... can't wait!

Canon 5D, Canon 100-400L, f/16, 37sec, ISO 50

Golden Gate Sunset

Golden Gate Sunset, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

The sun will be setting behind the North Tower in just a few days! Fingers crossed for a clear evening to shoot it...

Canon 5D, Canon 100-400L @ 400mm

San Francisco Stormcloud II

San Francisco Stormcloud II, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

This was taken 20 minutes after my last post: www.flickr.com/photos/dellahuff/4029875749/

In that time, the bay became even more calm. Check out the reflections from the Transamerica Pyramid and the B of A Building!

Canon 5D, Canon 100-400L, f/11, 30s, ISO 50.

San Francisco Storm Cloud

San Francisco Storm Cloud, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

Funny weather in the Bay Area this week. Yesterday a small storm worked its way over the bay in the late afternoon, soaking Berkeley. As it cleared, the moisture in the air created a stunning quality of light as the sun started to go down, casting a golden glow on the bay. Even more amazing, the bay was incredibly still -- so still that the Transamerica Pyramid cast a reflection! I don't think I've ever seen it so still, and it was just after a storm. Amazing.

Canon 5D, Canon 100-400L, f/7.1, 1/13, ISO 50.

Fire in the Sky over San Francisco

Fire in the Sky over San Francisco, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

Here's a panorama of Friday evening's sunset at its brightest from the Port of Oakland. I don't think it's quite as interesting as a photograph as my previous post, but I wanted to share the brilliant sunset for those that missed it.

To see a shot of the skyline with the slow-burning sunset a bit later, click here: www.flickr.com/photos/dellahuff/4020985569/

San Francisco Slow Burn

San Francisco Slow Burn, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

When I noticed the odd clouds roll in this afternoon I thought there would be a decent shot at a good sunset, so I headed down to the Port of Oakland, a location I've been meaning to check out. The sunset started out mediocre, but just when I had given up on any color the entire sky exploded in pink - it was incredible! Even more photogenic was the lingering color in the sky, visible even after it was almost completely dark. I used a long exposure to bring the colors out even more.

I like to call those kinds of sunsets "slow burn".

It's been a really long couple of weeks for me, but seeing a sunset like this over San Francisco makes all of that stress disappear. I love this city!

Canon 5D, 100-400L, f/10, ISO 50.

Evening Commute, Hoi An, Vietnam

Evening Commute, Hoi An, Vietnam, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

Hoi An is an incredibly charming and photogenic city. For the better part of an afternoon I simply sat and waited for interesting things to walk by. I love this strategy in travel photography because I absorb more of the feeling of a place when I pause and watch the world go by around me.

San Francisco Bay Bridge and Skyline at Twilight

San Francisco Icon, originally uploaded by Della Huff Photography.

I finally took this iconic shot the other night, too (same evening as "San Francisco on Ice").

It was a stunning afternoon in the Bay Area - warm, still, and clear as a bell - and the perfect conditions for this shot. In order to get the bridge lights to "star", I used a small aperture combined with a long exposure (over 2 minutes).

Now that I've gotten these two out of my system, I can concentrate on more creative shots of the Bay. I have a lot of ideas I'm excited to try out.

Canon 5D, 24-70L, f/22, 121s, ISO 50. No filters.