Arthur Murray Dance Studio

San Francisco is a photographer’s dream for both amateurs and pros alike.  It is a lively city that always has something going on day or night.  And she is a pretty lady too, the perfect subject for any photograph. There are endless quantities of photos taken by locals and tourists all year round detailing the multiple personalities within. Colors, peoples, foods – you name it.  But how many people have taken the time to capture a photo at night? It is a little more difficult to do but well worth the extra effort, as not everyone will take the time.  Touristy spots are less crowded at night and the lights on the water and in the city offer a little personality to any photo that you capture. There are a ton of locations within the city (and just outside) to take really great nighttime photos.  Some of them include:  the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street (pictured above, by Sel & Poivre Photography), the Transamerica Pyramid, the Palace of Fine Arts, the Bay Bridge, the Painted Ladies, Treasure Island, and Coit Tower to name a few.  These are all very well known shots that produce incredible images, but they can often be crowded (although less so at night). If you are looking to take photos from lesser known spots, check these out: The Vallejo Street Garage located at 766 Vallejo St (in North Beach/Telegraph Hill) – go to the 5th floor and check out the eastern-facing slit in the wall to see a gorgeous view of the Bay Bridge. While you are waiting for your long-exposure photo you can amuse yourself with smart phone photos of the the fortunes (think fortune-cookie style) on each of the parking spots. Photo by Scott Hess Photo After enjoying a calorie-ridden Bi-Rite Creamery ice cream scoop, burn off a few calroies by walking up the hill to the bench at the topmost corner of 20th and Church in Delores Park - there is a spectacular view of  the city.  You can take a photo that encompasses the entire park mixed in with city skyline that includes a panoramic view of the city, the Bay Bridge, the Bay itself, it’s pretty cool. If you can handle a little hike, then not only is the star-gazing incredible at night from Bernal Hill, but it has a great view of the city as well, one that looks great in photos. You can see the entire Mission district which sprawls in front of you, as well as the bay and the Financial District off in the distance. Go during a full moon for a really dramatic photo. Photo by Todd Lappin For a great shot of the TransAmerica Building from a relatively unknown spot check out the catwalk atop the Mandarin Hotel. The hotel is the tallest hotel in San Francisco and with the catwalk that connects its two towers on the top floor, you can catch a shot of North Beach and the Transamerica (just hope the windows are clean!). These photos require long exposures so besides your camera you’ll need a tripod, and if you have a camera remote it certainly makes things easier.  Have a good bag to carry your equipment as some of these places require a bit of a hike. Another piece of equipment I would suggest is a flashlight. Besides cool lighting features like trailing car lights, you can create your own cool effects or even spell out words with a flashlight, also known as light painting. A final word, San Francisco gets cold at night!  Bring a warm jacket, gloves and something hot to drink, it will make those long exposure waits more bearable!  

The projected two-year closure of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art casts a long shadow over the Bay Area’s arts scene, particularly for the field trip crowd and young weekenders who loved to take in the vast collections. But savvy grown-up patrons aren’t crying too hard, thanks to several new weeknight events at other museums and galleries around town, each geared exclusively toward adults. The over-21 crowds also have a reason to celebrate, thanks to the availability of booze at many of these adult interactions. Newly reopened on the Embarcadero, look for the Exploratorium. On the first Thursday of every month, grownups queue up for After Dark, an adult party that combines tactile exhibits with mixed cocktails and a rich array of themed programs such as Fog, the Art of Tinkering and Sexplorations. Much of the science behind the Exploratorium’s fascinating exhibits may rely on serendipity, but in this case, it’s best to plan ahead, as more than any other after-hours shindig in San Francisco, this one sells out quickly. San Francisco’s other hall of technology, the California Academy of Sciences, hosts the hip NightLife gathering every Thursday. Well-known deejays stop by regularly for sessions that last until 10 p.m., and if you look carefully you might even see the Academy’s albino alligator bobbing along to the beat. Partygoers opt for a craftier, hands-on feel at this weekly get together, all while sipping cocktails and immortalizing the night from inside the photo booth. The relatively recent Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio might seem like the kiddiest place on earth, but just as Disneyland has Downtown Disney, the museum itself loves catering to adults. The 18-and-over series Animate Your Night brings a monthly party to the Disney doorstep, with rotating themes that play on vaulted classics. Look for rare Disney tidbits scattered throughout the space and lots of craft cocktails for anyone who’s old enough to enjoy them. Intrepid adults can also take a peek at the oddball happenings every Friday at the de Young, where panel discussions, live music, fashion and drag shows, art-making and more all collide in a single space. There are cocktails, a prix-fix menu and extended hours, of course, but the cultural assault that is the de Young certainly isn’t for everyone. Thankfully, there’s likely to be another adult-only after hours museum party not far away.

This week: Filter brings the noise, a carnival takes over Candlestick Park, a theater ensemble plays with Macbeth, the symphony teams up with Pixar, and Japanese pop-culture icons pay the bay a visit. And if that’s not enough for you, check Groupon for more fun things to do in San Francisco. Filter, Helmet, and Local H NoPa | Tuesday, July 15 Filter frontman Richard Patrick got his first big gig playing guitar for Nine Inch Nails on tour. Now, six Filter albums later, his band is on their own “anti-folk” tour alongside metal gurus Helmet and the two Chicago-based rockers of Local H. (The Independent, 628 Divisadero St.; $25; buy tickets here) Tech Carnival at Candlestick Park Bayview-Hunters Point | Wednesday, July 16 The Silicon Valley Sports League has organized a fitting sendoff for Candlestick Park, filling it with carnival attractions for all ages. Jousting battles, wrestling matches with sumo suits, and old-fashioned fairground games will all compete with food trucks and musical acts for attention. Meanwhile, the league will host its playoff games to see who will win the title of champion. (Candlestick Park, 490 Jamestown Ave.; $10; buy tickets here) Makbet Mission | Wednesday, July 16; Friday, July 18; Saturday, July 19 Part of the Fury Factory Festival of Ensemble Theater, Makbet is a loose interpretation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth that relies on each of its actors to know every single line of the play. Members of the ensemble Dzieci switch spontaneously from role to role during the performance, which also incorporates rituals and chants from Eastern Europe. (Z Below, 470 Florida St.; $16; buy tickets here) Pixar in Concert Civic Center | Thursday, July 17–Sunday, July 20 Accompanied by movie clips, the San Francisco Symphony will play music from all 14 of Pixar’s films, from Toy Story to Monsters University. Each performance is hosted by a Pixar filmmaker—director Lee Unkrich, writer-director Brad Bird, or chief creative officer John Lasseter—who will talk about the making of their whimsical works. (Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave.; $35–$150; buy tickets here) J-Pop Summit Festival Japantown | Saturday, July 19–Sunday, July 20 The J-Pop Summit Festival contains even smaller festivals inside of itself, including the Japan Film Festival and the delicious premiere of Ramen Street. This celebration of Japanese pop culture also hosts fashion events, a pocky-eating contest, and musical guests such as legendary beatboxer Daichi. (Post Street between Webster and Laguna Streets; free admission) Image credits: Filter and Macbeth images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Tech Carnival photo courtesy of Silicon Valley Sports League, J-Pop Summit Festival photo by Vincent Samaco.