It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and I’ve been a Californian for a month already. Gnarly.

My first weekend here, feeling pretty displaced, I impulsively joined a Pop Up Instameet at the Sutro Baths. A very talented photographer from LA, Andrew Kinder, organized the chaos and roughly 100 photographers met up at the shoreline. It was pretty amazing. 

First though, everything here is pretty different. I’m used to shooting the sunset peeking out from behind the NYC skyline. Now, the sun washes out everything until it’s nearly set. I have to be honest, I didn’t do much shooting at this instameet because I was so amazed by the surroundings. Use #PopupSutro on instagram to see some pretty excellent shots by the group.

The Sutro Baths, was a bathhouse built into the SF shoreline in the late 1800s, and burned down in the 1960s. Today, its footprint is almost all that’s left. But it’s one of the more interesting beach spots I’ve been to. The SF surf is unbelievably strong, if not punishing. Due to its shape, the current here converges from three directions, creating some rough waters. Huge rocks and tall cliffs surround the beach from three sides. As if created on purpose, there are all sorts of areas with loosely blocked off access now, for our own safety. These, of course, are the best parts of all. 

Overall, a great spot to shoot, but keep in mind you’re shooting direct into setting the sun. Bring reflectors, filters, and/or a flash, or expect to get some seriously backlit shots. 

All images below taken with either the Fuji x100T, or Canon 5D MkIII, using an assortment of lenses.