The Giant Camera !?- Envelope #4

When I opened this envelope I was ultra curious - Camera Obscura of San Francisco?  What in the world?

Last Sunday we all piled into the Honda Pilot and headed to discover a new San Francisco treasure.

Right at the Northern end of Ocean Beach, next to the Cliff House is a 25 x 25 ft little shack. It looks like a boxy retro camera.  On the side it reads "Giant Camera". It's ultra kitschy.

We paid the older gentleman running the show; $3 per adult and $2 for the kids. Stepping inside transported us back in time...    

We all gathered into the small room. He sealed the door from the intense sun and introduced us to the "Giant Camera".

My Girls at the SF Camera Obscura

In the pitch black room, centered is a waist high disc about 6ft around. This is where the magnified image of the outside appears.  The operator slowly rotated the mirror 360 degrees. The surfers, the ripples of waves, Seal Rock, dogs running on the beach... were so perfect that the kids tried to pick them up.

It might sound simple... But that's why it was great. It was breathtakingly beautiful.  We were all mesmerized.

Camera Obscura Projection

The camera obscura device is believed to date back before the 15th century. Sketches exist from Leonardo Da Vinci and other famous artists. It was believed the device was used to help create their paintings. This one was built n 1946 and is now a National Landmark. It has a 10" mirror at the top of the little building, a convex and concave mirror below and then the projection surface...

The images I post here can't begin to capture the magic of the Camera Obscura. So instead of taking my word for it, check it out for $3! I'll be posting more images of sunset soon !

©  2012 by©  2012 photography by Hayley Thistlethwaite all rights reserved Hayley Thistlethwaite all rights reserved

Lobos Creek - Envelope #3

Lobos Creek is the last free flowing creek in San Francisco.  This envelope was a challenge. I had the fantasy of unsealing each weeks' envelope, hoping into my car and finding my inspiration. I should have  known better. This one required a little bit of advanced planning.

I set out with my very own littlest assistant, Laurel "Bean". I tried to keep the photography to a minimum, as I could tell she just wanted to play and chat with her Mama. 


We never found the creek before my helper got tired. Turns out, it is mostly hidden by a forest canopy and some of it runs underground. The 2 of us had some fun... then I brought my tuckered out girl home.

Lil helper braving the weather

I came back a little more knowledgeable; thanks Google! And like a pot of gold, I found it pouring into the roaring Pacific.

© 2012 by Hayley Thisltehwaite. All Rights Reserved.

The Palace of Fine Arts - Envelope #2

Envelope # 2 - The Palace of Fine Arts... (Built originally in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Art Exposition)


Photographically speaking, it can be very intimidating shooting a beautiful or popular landmark.  Millions of feet have trampled the grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts...  I wonder how my perspective could be any different from the photographers before me... Or than the 4 other photographers I spotted this morning...


7:30am, That's early on a Sunday for me.  It's Grey. It's Chilly. There is a lot of bird poop.  As I diligently walk the grounds,  I am hoping some inspiration hits. I try to imagine what it was like back in 1915.  I try to imagine the artwork that was exhibited almost 100 years ago. This structure is epic.  The pieces of art must have been spectacular within.


Crossing paths with another photographer, I scoot by to give him room... and to see what might lie on the inside.  If no real inspiration, maybe just some warmth?


As I start to shoot, the sun starts to peek through the clouds.  I find my inspiration for the day...

© 2012 by Hayley Thisltehwaite. All Rights Reserved.

The Golden Gate - The Gift of Inspiration

Friday the 13th.... It started out to be what seemed like an ordinary day, but turned into an inspirational day.  Kissed my 2 lil' darlings good-bye. After a long work week, I climbed into my car ready to make the commute.  To my surprise, sitting in my center console was a little package of envelopes, wrapped in a bow, with a note.  

The package was from my husband:

The note said "San Francisco is 49 square miles. Contained in these envelopes are 49 of the City's Treasures.  I thought this would be a good way for you to get out and do some photography and discover the city we now call home.  There is enough for one a week for the rest of this year.  Do what ever you need to make a little time each week.  I will watch the kids. I hope this provides some inspiration.  I love you.  XOXO"

The note, the gesture, the inspiration,  my thoughts raced all day.

So it begins ...

with... 

The Golden Gate Bridge

© 2012 by Hayley Thisltehwaite. All Rights Reserved.