Weekly Photo Challenge: Montenegro Mirror

This week’s challenge is all about landscapes, which are some of my favorite things to photograph during my travels. This was especially true for the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, which is a serious contender for the most peaceful, serene place I’ve ever visited. Geographically speaking, this was the furthest I’d ever been from home. It’s still unspoiled by heavy tourism, but that’s not going to last once word gets out of how beautiful it is. Just look at that water! A larger version is viewable here.

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Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, Rome

Built in 1642-1660 by Francesco Borromini, Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza (aka Saint Yves at the Sapienza) is a masterpiece of Roman Baroque architecture. I came across this on the way to the Pantheon. While most tourists head to the Vatican, Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza was populated with art and architecture students doing practice sketches. A larger version is viewable here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sutro Beach Panorama

It was a nice day and I had some free time, so I decided to explore a place I’d never seen before. I took the bus to the literal end of the road – Geary Boulevard, specifically – and ended up at Sutro Baths/Point Lobos. This is at the distant northwestern tip of San Francisco, and more remote than most touristy places. Aside from the long ride, it takes a little climbing to get down to this beach. Definitely worth the effort, though! Larger version is viewable here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Afternoon On The Pier

Another day at the ocean. The beach at Paradise Village ends at a rocky pier with a small lookout hut. It’s a very popular place for people looking to beat the heat and take some photos; it’s not usual for small crowds to show up for the sunsets. But on afternoons like this, you can take a book and relax amongst the crashing waves. Large version available here.

Municipal Pier Panorama

Fun fact: I’d never been on San Francisco’s Municipal Pier until about a month ago. Lots of fishermen, bikers, and gulls. A shame that large portions of it are fenced off due to disrepair. Great view from the opposite end of Aquatic Park, though. You can see the Balclutha, the Transamerica Pyramid, and even Coit Tower in the distance.

Sing Chong Building, San Francisco

Whenever you see photos or art of Chinatown, this one always shows up eventually…

Maiden Lane, San Francisco

While the crowds are bustling up and down Market Street, Maiden Lane is nice and quiet shortcut to Union Square.

Wentworth Place, San Francisco

Whenever I’m in Chinatown, I usually stop by Wentworth Place. It’s nice, secluded from tourists, and has places to sit. The fact that it also hides one of the best Gundam model stores in the Bay Area might also have something to do with it.

Filbert Street From The Top

There are a lot of photos online taken at this exact location. It’s at the base of Coit Tower. I’ve passed it a million times, but I didn’t have a decent camera to capture it until now. The building with the spires is Saints Peter and Paul Church.

Transamerica Pyramid From Montgomery Street

Took this en route to Coit Tower last weekend. There are a lot of ways to get up there, but Montgomery Street is the most direct way from Market Street/downtown. Just have to take a lot of stairs and walk through a neighborhood hidden in the hillside…