San Francisco Photo Gallery

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

Photograph by Krista Rossow

Colorful grapes are for sale at the Rojas Family Farm stand, one of the many booths open every Saturday at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.

“Photographing people can be intimidating, but for photographers wanting to improve those skills, farmers markets are great places to practice,” advises Rossow. “In general, immediately walking up to vendors and asking to take their portraits isn't as effective as getting to know them and their wares first. Instead start by asking if you can photograph the items in their stand because you find them interesting or colorful. In the case of this photo, I was drawn to the amazing color and variety of grapes. This usually leads to a conversation with the vendor. As people open up and relax, then ask if you can take pictures of them with their wares. People sometimes have a tendency to pose or freeze up, so to counteract that instinct, shoot the posed photo but then tell them to continue as usual as you keep talking to them. It is always a nice courtesy to offer to e-mail them the photo and to buy an item as a thank-you to them and as a snack or souvenir for yourself. I had a yummy breakfast snack of grapes after my time photographing Sonia Rojas.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Presidio Scene

Photograph by Krista Rossow

A classic car sits in front of a classic neighborhood, the Presidio. Once a military post, the Presidio was made a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1994.

“When you see a scene that catches your eye, take the time to get your camera out and take the picture," says Rossow. “It is much easier to delete a file later if you discover it isn't something you'd like to keep, but you can't always return to recreate some scenes.

“I was late for a shoot as I left the Inn at the Presidio where I was staying, a charming hotel nestled into the cypresses of the park, and I drove by this scene. I was halfway down the road when I decided it was too good to pass up. One U-turn and I was back staring at this picture-perfect postcard. I was lucky that someone had parked a classic car on the road because that element made the picture feel reminiscent of the era when the Presidio was a working military base.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Mission Mural

Photograph by Krista Rossow

Artist Lucia Ippolito puts the finishing touches on her new "Mission Makeover" mural.

“The Mission District is famous for its colorful murals in Balmy Alley,” says Rossow. “To make a more interesting image in a location that has been heavily photographed, look for something different to show the area in a new way. 

“Lucia was painting as I talked to her. She would pause to talk to me and another friend, and in one of those moments I took this image. She looks natural and comfortable in front of the camera.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Mission Scene

Photograph by Krista Rossow

Shoppers pass by a stand selling Mexican wrestling masks, which serve as colorful reminders of the Latin American influence on the Mission District.

“When telling the story of a neighborhood, look for a scene that contains more than one element that is typical of the area,” says Rossow. “In this case I found these Mexican wrestling masks and the colorful papel picado (hand-cut) banners, both indicative of the Latin American influence in the neighborhood. The last element to come together was to wait for the right people to come through the scene, such as this couple with shopping bags. Photographs that have a sense of place tell a better story.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Brunch at Outerlands

Photograph by Krista Rossow

A bulldog joins friends for brunch at Outerlands restaurant in the Outer Sunset neighborhood.

“Who can resist a bulldog sitting in a restaurant chair grumpily waiting for an espresso that won't ever arrive?” Rossow asks. “Animals are wonderful photo subjects especially for portraits, but don't always think you must get in close for the right shot. I photographed Buttercup the bulldog in a way that not only showed she was sitting in a chair, which is quite quirky in itself, but also clearly showed the context of the setting. Showing the scene added a bit of humor that would have been lost on a close-up shot of the bulldog.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Rooftop View

Photograph by Krista Rossow

Beneath a “living roof,” the California Academy of Sciences houses a rain forest, aquarium, planetarium, earthquake exhibit, and other wild curiosities.

“Weather can be a photographer’s friend or foe,” says Rossow. “As had been the case all week, I woke up to thick fog clinging to Golden Gate Park on the morning I had arrangements to photograph on the living roof. I considered rescheduling the shoot, but decided that because foggy weather is indicative of San Francisco, I would try to make it work. As I wandered over the entire rooftop, I found there were tall plants in only one area. They really made the rooftop feel like a garden. I love the cypress trees peeking out of the fog. It gives the image a dreamy quality that wouldn’t have happened on a sunny day.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Heath Ceramics

Photograph by Krista Rossow

A Heath Ceramics employee arranges tiles for the window display.

“Adding layers to your photographs is an effective way to increase interest and depth,” says Rossow. “I photographed one of Heath's employees as she arranged tiles through another side of the display. This not only frames the subject and draws the eye toward her but also blocked out bright light from a window.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Macaws in the Park

Photograph by Krista Rossow

Two macaws stretch their wings in Mission Dolores Park.

“Exploring the world with a camera in hand is a great way to meet people and to make friends,” advises Rossow. She was photographing in the park when a few kids started shouting about parrots. “I turned to see colorful birds gliding overhead. It was after sunset when I met Chan, an elementary school teacher who flies his pet macaws—not parrots—most nights in the park. I knew the setting would be marvelous in the daytime so we made plans to meet on another day. The resulting photo of the birds with the city in the background was worth the extra effort.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.

Bay Bridge

Photograph by Krista Rossow

From the Embarcadero, the Bay Bridge glows just before sunrise.

“Most photographers know about the golden light that happens just after sunrise and just before sunset, but there is also a magic time of day during dawn and dusk,” says Rossow. “For this image of the Bay Bridge, I arrived at the Embarcadero about 45 minutes before sunrise. The sky had just begun to shift from the black of night to the early morning deep blue. After taking this shot, I waited in hope of an amazing sunrise, but the golden light never appeared because the clouds covered the sun and the sky began to wash out.”

Read more about San Francisco in "The Social Network" in the April 2013 issue of National Geographic Traveler.