Canon EOS 5D Mark II

Canon EF-S 35mm f/2.8 IS STM Lens

Shutter Speed

1/80 sec

Aperture

f/2.8

Focal Length

35mm

ISO

200

Washington Street Alley

@robbydurler

California

•

San Francisco

Take a step into a tucked-away Chinatown alley, hidden away from the hustling daily commuters. Experience this decorated arcade filled with generations of Chinese culture written within the walls—traversing you right within the cultural atmosphere!

Plan

Overview

Skill level

Easy

Accessbility

Public Location

Hours

Anytime

Fee

Free

Pack

Normal lens (35mm)

How to get there

N37° 47' 43.4076"W122° 24' 27.4788"

This location is in an unnamed alley along Washington Street, between Stockton St and Ross Alley. To get here, route yourself to the intersection of Washington St and Ross Alley and walk west a few steps — you’ll see the alley on your right.

Tips

When to go

Best season

All months

Best time

Morning, Mid-day

All months of the year are suitable to photograph this alley.

You’re best photographing the activities of Chinatown residents during the morning through mid-day. The light will also illumnate the allies and you can avoid the shade; it’s a very tight alley so you want the sun atop of you.

Field tips

My back was pushed onto the wall so I could compose the tiled overhangs and bring more depth to the photograph.

By using a prime lens (35-50mm) you’ll be able to place your viewer in a true to life visual perspective of Chinatown’s day-to-day. A wide-angle lens would pull in more of the architecture and maybe even distort your subject.

I composed the alley in the center of my image to incorprote the vanishing point of the alley.

Be patient to wait for an interesting subject to pass. It’s a dead end alley so you may have to wait some time for that perfect moment.

Try photographing at a fast shutter speed to capture moving subjects. This will help you avoid blur. For a blur effect set a longer shutter speed.

Current weather

San Francisco, California

Partially cloudy

58^o

Thu

69^o

61^o

Fri

68^o

62^o

Sat

68^o

61^o

Sun

69^o

61^o

Mon

70^o

61^o

Blue Hour

13:29

58^o

Partially cloudy

Sunrise

13:55

58^o

Partially cloudy

Golden Hour

01:39

58^o

Partially cloudy

Sunset

02:14

58^o

Partially cloudy

Do nearby

You must experience the free tea tasting at Vital Tea Leaf and ask for “Uncle Gee.” He’s absolutely awesome. Address: Vital Tea Leaf, 1044 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133

Locations nearby