SEE UPDATE BELOW

I moved the date from the December placeholder. There are lots of things we can do at twilight or nighttime on Treasure Island including:

• there's a great view of the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge
• a classic view of the lights on the western span of the Bay Bridge
• San Francisco city lights
• abandoned buildings
• space for light painting and playing

What to bring:
camera, tripod, warm clothes & hat, flashlight (red light preferred), light toys (no sparklers or other fireworks), strobes/flashes, etc.

Watch for more info.
================

Treasure Island Meetup Saturday, Oct. 30
Update 10/24/10

Here are more details and specifics about this Saturday’s meetup on Treasure Island. I’m looking forward to exploring it with you all.

We’ll meet at 5:00 pm at the open area on the south-east corner of the island that faces the new Bay Bridge construction. I was there last June and there was plenty of space to park and view the bridge construction, but if things have changed we can meet at the parking area on 4th Street on the western side. I’ll have a purple and white umbrella so you can spot me. If you have any trouble finding the group, call my cell phone (SEE COMMENTS BELOW)

Getting there: If you’re coming from the east bay, you’ll have to pay the Bay Bridge toll. Follow the signs for Treasure Island just before Yerba Buena Island. Note that it MAY be a left exit – so read signs carefully. For those coming up the peninsula and through San Franciso, there’s no toll. The exit is probably also a left exit just before the tunnel on Yerba Buena Island. For everyone, it’s Treasure Island Rd. that will take you to Treasure Island (imagine that!). Soon after you get onto the flat Treasure Island, turn right onto California Ave. (just after the half-circle building). Continue out California until just before the end and turn right into the open area. We’ll park and meet over by the water. Comment here if you want to carpool.

The plan: After we gather you can stay there to shoot the bridge or head off to explore the island a little in the daylight (30-40 min?), then we’ll meet again before sunset at either the same location or elsewhere. There are so many opportunities for interesting shots at sunset, twilight, and at night of both parts of the bridge and San Francisco. The bridge and the city make especially nice subjects for panoramas. Some may also want to explore the older areas of the island (just don’t trespass where posted) and/or do some light painting on old buildings, each other, or whatever. Bring your ideas!
If you have time you can even arrive earlier for more explorations around the island.

Weather: There may be some light rain, which won’t stop us/me, but if it turns out to be a solid rain then this meetup is cancelled. Be sure to bring something to protect your gear from raindrops, even if it’s just a plastic bag and rubber bands.

What you may want to bring:
- camera, lenses, lens hood
- extra batteries & memory cards
- remote release
- tripod (don’t forget the quick release plate!)
- umbrella
- flashlight
- light painting toys: flashlights with colored gels/cellophane, flash/strobes, light sticks, anything that creates light (unless it’s illegal).
- warm clothing, gloves, hat, raincoat or poncho, whatever you need to stay comfortable
- snack & hot beverage
- your creative ideas for light painting
- map of the island
- bandana or towel (for wiping off water if needed)

See you there!