Salk Institute for Biological Studies view of Fountain

This image was taken within the main quad at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. I stood facing west toward the pool to get this perspective. The best way to access this location is by parking in the lot (32.887175, -117.244449) and then heading west into the entrance. Because the institute is a private, not-for-profit research campus, you must have an online reservation before coming to the site. Once you’re on the tour, you’ll come across this view in the middle of the campus. You can also reference the GPS coordinates to see the exact place where I stood to take the photo. Please note that commercial/professional shoots are not allowed here. Security will check your bag before entering and although they will allow you to bring in a camera, they will not allow you to have equipment (i.e. a tripod) or a professional model. For more information about the tours, check online: https://www.salk.edu/about/visiting-salk Address: Salk Institute for Biological Studies 10010 N Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037

The building closes at 5pm on weekdays and is closed on weekends. If you want to catch sunset, it's best to come in winter when the sunsets are earlier (before 5pm). If you don't care about that, any weekday year round is accessible.

The lighting is best late-afternoon to sunset, which sometimes even lines up with the flow of water. Make sure you arrive before the building closes at 5pm or you'll find all access doors locked.

Do not bring a tripod as they discourage taking professional looking shoots at the location. It's best if you leave your big camera bag / gear in the car and visit with only your camera so it won't look like a high end shoot.

By using a wide-angle lens (12mm) you'll be able to fit more of the architecture into your frame. Try centering your shot so the buildings on each side are perfectly symmetrical.

I chose to shoot directly above the fountain and centered the water path. Placing a subject adds scale to the buildings and help emphasize the symmetry.

Head right down the street to the end of Torrey Pines Scenic Drive to visit the Torrey Pines Gliderport. This is one of the best places to catch sunset in San Diego since you're high up on the cliffs looking down the coast. On windy days you'll be able to catch hang gliders flying through the sky above the cliffs.