So, are you ready to tour “The Rock”?
Big question: How can I best share my journey without overwhelming (ummm, boring) you? For better or worse, my solution is to break down my posts by location and to keep words to a minimum 🙂
So, in that spirit, my first post is simply an introduction to the island with views taken from the ferry. You’ll get to see it in all its 360-degree glory before setting foot, so to speak, on the dock and following me up the main road to and around the prison. Sound good? Hope so. Here we go!
First ferry of the morning, catching the sunlight over the Oakland-Bay Bridge.
Day ferries take visitors directly from Alcatraz Landing on the Embarcadero to the Alcatraz dock. For those of you with a discerning eye, you’ll notice the wake of the ferry is between me and the isand. So I confess: this is actually a shot leaving Alcatraz, after finishing my day tour and before returning on the night ferry. But it does mimic the wonderful “approach” view of Alcatraz from the day ferry. The southern span of the Golden Gate Bridge is in the distance.
Approaching the dock, Building 64 (military officers’ residence) in the foreground, the lighthouse and burned-out shell of the warden’s home above left.
Guard Tower #6 (at the dock)
Alcatraz Dock
Unlike the day tours, the night tour ferries visitors clockwise around the island beginning at the southeastern tip, so you get a 360-degree view of the island from the bay.
Lighthouse with the cellhouse behind it.
To the right of the lighthouse is another view of the warden’s house.
Cellhouse
Water tower, New Industries Building (where prisoners worked for money) below the stack of the power plant, Model Industries Building (laundry) far left.
Northwestern tip of the island. Cell block top right. Oakland-Bay Bridge in the distance.
Model Industries Building and San Francisco skyline to the right.
Coming around to the dock. The building sheathed in white is the old storehouse, under refurbishment.
Sunset beginning as we near the dock. The sally port (the original fortified entrance to Alcatraz when it was a military fort) is the white building on the left. The post exchange/officer’s club is the building to the left of the storehouse. The main cell block is through the trees on the left.
Next post: Welcome to The Rock
These posts just keep getting better and better Stacy I love this whole series 🙂
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😊
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How did I miss this post? It is amazing that, limited by angles and set ups that everyone else would have- limited by your position on the ferry- you still were able to get some great shots, probably a combination of the lighting, that beautiful sky, your talent with the camera, and with your processing. You just seem to be uping (upping?) Your game dramatically. I approve.
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Aww, thanks so much, Emilio! Truthfully, I was amazed by the sharpness of the shots! Though the camera being so small really must have factored into it as it’s easier to hold steady. I also have recently learned how to use PS unsharp mask, the effects of which have blown me away! And that sky was just fantastic. As for being limited by my position on the ferry, I was a woman with a mission! I knew in advance the path around Alcatraz, so I knew what side of the boat to be on and I knew I wanted to be near the front. I mowed down a few people to get my spot 😉 No, not at all. Luck was just on my side!
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I can’t believe I got a great image when I handheld the Fuji at 1/15 sec. It’s an amazing camera. I also have tried to merge 3 images in HDR but the fuji doesn’t need to do that so far. I get all the detail I want by opening up the shadows. And no noise!
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Fuji love to the max! I agree on all accounts 🙂
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fantastic images though I don’t know if I could visit there. Do you feel the ghosts of those miserable souls!?
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It’s interesting, Cybele, but wandering around the rock itself was rather enjoyable, a combination of the gorgeous day and being so wrapped up in shooting. The two places that really got to me were solitary confinement (for obvious reasons) and the hospital (because it was just so darn spooky, even in the middle of the day, not to mention at night!).
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I can imagine ( shivers).
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Great series of pictures Stacy. I like best the Building 64 one with the wonderful sky texture.
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That was my favorite too (and why I chose it as the featured image) 😀 I was really drawn to the lighthouse and the shell of the warden’s house looking “over” the scene (and that wonderful sky provided by Mother Nature)!
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Great place, great shots…
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Thanks, Robert. So much to see …
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Sis, I’ve been there and NEVER saw all that you have so incredibly presented. Can’t wait to tour the INSIDE! I love all the interesting places you take this armchair traveler!
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Well, that’s what happens when you spend hours and hours there, sis 🙂 And I STILL didn’t shoot everything I could have/should have. Seems I’ll just have to go back next fall – wanna come?? ❤️
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Wow !
You bring me to my trip OtR in the summer 2013 !
Wonderful shots for wonderful memories…
Thank you so much !
Ciao ciao
Max
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How fun, Max! I’m happy I brought back good memories for you 🙂 Thanks so much!
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This is so very awesome! I’ve never been to Alcatraz and I’ve never seen photos from these perspectives. Thanks for sharing!
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Oh, I’m so delighted to be sharing it with you! It really is an amazing place and I’m so lucky I had the opportunity to visit ti and really spend time there. Keep tuned for more in the upcoming week 🙂
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🙂
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I enjoyed the whole series of pictures! Can’t wait to see more!
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Thanks, mjay 🙂 I’ve got the next batch done – now I just have to write the post!
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Fantastic images! I visited Alcatraz 15 years ago and am keen to take my children to see it when we next venture to the west coast. Your photos capture it perfectly and make me even more keen to return.
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Thanks, Laura! I’m so glad you enjoyed “revisiting” Alcatraz through my post 🙂 It really is a wonderfully kept national park. I was so intent on taking pictures that I didn’t take advantage of the various programs being offered. Guess I’ll just have to go back 😉
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I have always wanted to go to Alacatraz (for a brief visit) and I am breathlessly awaiting more pictures! It is more than I expected. Ugh. Can you imagine being the Warden’s wife??
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Thanks, Lisa! I’ve got the pictures ready, just haven’t yet had time to write the post 😦 Apparently, the families (including children) that lived on Alcatraz were pretty happy there, believe it or not!
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It would be interesting to get oral histories…
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The audio tour is actually narrated by former guards, inmates, and residents. It’s just a snippet of the history there, but it’s really well done.
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I really need to go when I’m out there next!
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Yup, you definitely do!
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These photos are spectacular, Stacy!
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Thanks, Amy 🙂 I was really pleased with how well they turned out, given I was on a moving boat! I do love my Fuji 😀
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Great series Stacy and the skies are wonderful. I particularly like your shot of the guard tower.
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Thanks so much, Chris! Seems you’re not alone in liking the guard tower shot the best 🙂
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Oh how wonderful! That sky is glorious. Your photo of the dock is like a scene from the movie “The Rock” with Sean Connery. Your photos are fabulous Stacy – the contrast is perfect.
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Thanks, Desley! You just said the perfect thing 🙂 “The Rock” is a favorite movie, and Sean Connery is a favored actor – in fact my middle son is named for him! I actually texted my son as I was on the island, sending him a photo from a scene from the movie along with a Connery quote. Since you’ve apparently see the movie, I’ll elaborate and see if you think it’s as funny as I thought it was. The line I quoted: “Some sniper’s gonna get his ass.” To which my Sean replied “Shome shnipersh gonna get his ash.” I stood in the middle of the path I was on just belly laughing 😂 I’ve saved that text as a screen shot 😄
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Hahahaha love it. Perfect response 😂😂
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So glad you got it, Desley 🙂
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Heheh of course, he’s THE leading man. 😊
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Absolutely! 🙂
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Great photos Stacy and a very tantalising introduction to the tour – my favourite however by a long way is Guard Tower #6 – perfection!
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Thanks so much, Jane! Seems Tower #6 is the favorite 🙂
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A real goodie that one Stacy!
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😃
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Already fascinated!! It’s bigger than I thought and has more buildings………..
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It’s ALOT bigger than I thought, too, Pauline! And the buildings were fascinating (more to come on those). There were times when I was on a path all by myself for a while, not a soul to be seen. A bit spooky, but oh, so wonderful too 🙂
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Those clouds are awesome! The waters are perfect in the early morning! Your photos are spectacular. Makes me want to go there… Which just might happen very soon!
By the way… Since the clouds were awesome that day… Have you ever tried an HDR effect? Just curious…
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Actually I came back to look at your photos again!! They are truly amazing. My favorite is the first one. 😊😉😊
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Guard tower #6 is my favorite!
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Nancy, thanks for all your fun comments 🙂 Seems guard tower #6 was the popular one! Will you be visiting Alcatraz??? Then I really must get my other posts going so you’ll have some useful tips 😉 The sky was awesome that day. As for HDR, nope, I never really considered it. In most, the sky was enough in its “natural” state 🙂
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🙂
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Great pix, especially the sky. Doesn’t it seem like extra punishment to be a prisoner this close to San Francisco and not be able to go to Tadich Grill for dinner?
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Ha, Tadich Grill and a host of other places 😉 Thanks, Terri!
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Stunning photos Stacy,
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Thanks so much, Raewyn. It was so much fun to really have the time to spend there!
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