“Symphony of Fog”

San Francisco Fog Photography & Timelapses

Embarking on a visual journey through the heart of the Bay, we delve into the realm of the captivating mystique of San Francisco fog photography. One of my absolute favorite subjects to shoot.


San Francisco is famous for its foggy climate. The fog in the bay area appears to act independently, occasionally disrupting sunny days and darkening the sky. People have mixed feelings about the fog. Some find it inconvenient and depressing, while others embrace its unpredictable nature.

The fog almost feels like a living creature with a mind of its own.

Regardless of ground-level opinions, the view from above reveals the fog’s stunning beauty. This collection pays homage to this remarkable fog and showcases its magnificent allure. The fog has essentially become a living part of San Francisco’s identity.


San Francisco Photography
San Francisco Photography: “Blanket over the Bay”

I love using a long exposure to simplify the motion of the fog. This perspective shows the fog rolling over the hills into the Bay. In the distance, you can see the Sales Force tower standing above the fog.

This gallery has been a constant project for the last 4-5 years, capturing San Francisco Timelapse sequences and still photos around the Bay Area.


San Francisco Photography
San Francisco Photography: “Evening Flow”



Here are two of my favorite fog timelapse sequences I have ever taken. They were both taken on the top of Mount Tamalpais during a beautiful flow of fog rushing through the Bay Area. The motion as the fog creeps over the hills is breathtaking.


San Francisco Photography, Fog
San Francisco Photography: Sunset Waves


These two images show the magnificent cloud waves that get created when the fog rolls over the Northern California hills.


San Francisco Photography Fog
San Francisco Fog Timelapse: (Still Photograph) Burning Clouds

San Francisco Fog Photography
San Francisco Photography: “Triumph”

A figure stands on a distant hill, above a sea of fog. The warm glow from sunset baths the fog with color and filters through the treeline.



Two of my favorite San Francisco photos I have taken in the fog. The first image is titled “Together” and the 2nd titled “Hope”.


San Francisco Photography
Coastal Photography: “Unknown Tides”


Fog Waves


Here is a 15-minute timelapse sequence above the fog on top of Mount Tamalpais. It is absolutely amazing to watch the patterns of the flow.


San Francisco Photography, Golden Gate Bridge Fog
Golden Gate Bridge Photography: “Silent Passage”

One of the most iconic places to capture foggy flows is around the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is a more intimate look at the fog interacting with the bridge in the night.



The San Francisco fog is incredible from above, but it can be very beautiful inside the foggy flows. I love taking a look at different perspectives of the Golden Gate Bridge.


San Francisco Photography, Golden Gate Bridge Photography
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Photography: “Into the Night”

San Francisco Photography
San Francisco Photography, Golden Gate Bridge: “Smooth Flow”

San Francisco Photography
Golden Gate Bridge photography: “Misty Dawn”

Another morning capturing Golden Gate Bridge during dawn. This is one of my favorite San Francisco photos. It’s also a still photograph taken from another fog timelapse, which you can watch below.


Low Fog At The Golden Gate Bridge

San Francisco Timelapse Clip


The classic San Francisco timelapse of the Golden Gate Bridge in fog. Still to this day one of my favorite scenes to witness.


San Francisco Photography, Golden Gate Bridge Fog
“Phantom”

San Francisco Photography
San Francisco Photography: “Cloud City”

San Francisco Photography
“Grizzly Peak Fog” San Francisco Timelapse, still photograph

San Francisco Photography
San Francisco fog photography: “Cloud City 2”


Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Photography: “Early Risers”

Two San Francisco photographers enjoying an incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge.


Golden Gate Bridge Photography, San Francisco Timelapse
Golden Gate Bridge Photography: “Cotton Candy Flow”

San Francisco Photography, Golden Gate Bridge Fog
San Francisco Photography, Golden Gate Bridge

Golden Gate Bridge photography, San Francisco
Golden Gate Bridge photography, San Francisco: “The Reveal”. This is also a still frame from one of my San Francisco Timelapse Clips


San Francisco Photography
“Take me with you, through the clouds” San Francisco Photography

san francisco fog timelapse
“Cotton Candy Skies” San Francisco fog timelapse, still photograph.

San Francisco Photography
San Francisco Fog Timelapse Photography: (Still Photograph) “Flowing Through the Hills”

san francisco photos
San Francisco Fog Photography: “Cloud Rush”

San Francisco photography
San Francisco photography: “Sea of Clouds”

I hope you enjoyed this collection of San Francisco fog timelapse sequences/photos. The project will constantly grow and change in the future, with new adventures exploring the fog. You may also enjoy my collection of Aerial San Francisco photos Click Here. I also have select prints from this collection for sale Click Here.

28 Comments

  1. Absolutely stunning work Michael. That ethereal atmosphere is so dreamy!

    • Your work is breathtaking. Thank you for sharing it. Do you have any taken from the Oakland Hills (in through the gate and creeping over Alcatraz ) or from the east hills in Orinda? The fog coming over the East Bay hills and spilling into the Orinda valley is spectacular with the oak trees as a backdrop.

  2. Shalini Bose

    Breathtakingly beautiful! What a wonderful world and a wonderful work!

  3. Shalini Bose

    Breathtakingly Beautiful! What a wonderful work!

  4. Nenette Hechanova

    Truly breathtaking, absolutely beautiful! Good Health to your hand, heart, mind and soul.

  5. wahhh just wonderfull!!!

  6. Absolutely gorgeous! I am so inspired! The 2 trees, 2 people image sticks with me, and I am someone who does not like to include people in photos.

  7. This is absolutely stunning. From one artist to another, I believe your work is inspiring. It is definitely giving me ideas for my Requiem. I hope wish you the best success!

  8. Such beautiful and serene photography Michael. Bringing beauty to nature’s wonders and the cityscape. Hope to see more of your incredible images in the future. John from Scotland.

  9. Thank you for reminding me of the beauty you have in the Bay Area. We often rush through our day and forget to slow down and feel, smell, hear the fog with our senses. Just be

  10. Mind blowing work….Peace reflects in your photography.

  11. These are breathtaking. I grew up in Marin and have often driven these roads, but your photos really puts things in perspective of how beautiful it really is. Are the shots on Mt. Tam taken off the road or did you have to hike to certain spots. No need to give away secrets, but want to know what your approach was for these. Thanks!

  12. Robyn Eve Marelyn

    Just love your art. I love so much San Francisco, The City of my dreams, and you’re able to capture and show us an energy that seems hidden behind things. The work of man, a modern city, which merges and becomes one with nature, a mysterious nature, behind which hides an energy that we humans can not totally understand. This is what I perceive of the photos of San Francisco. I also love all the other pictures. I am Italian, so especially I wanna thank you for the wonderful amazing images that portray my country. Ciao
    Roberta (aka Robyn Eve Marelyn)

  13. Dolly Odonnell

    Hello Michael…. are any of these available in stills poster size for purchase,…. one of each please… born in s.f. on army st. 1940… love, love love remembering growing up in the city in the fog…

  14. Ariane López Zufiria

    I really admire your work Michael, it’s incredible how you bring out the beauty of the landscapes to the maximum. I would like to know where you got the background music from the timelapse on Mount Tamalpais (the view of San Francisco), it’s extremely relaxing. Keep it up, you’re a real artist!

  15. Don Thompson

    I think you’ve captured what I’ve loved about Marin since I got here fifty years ago.
    One suggestion is a shot from the top of the Mountain Theatre across to the avenues.

  16. Seamus Dobbs

    Brilliant and Beautiful!

  17. It seems like you really put a lot of effort in this collection. You are a great photographer, but the story of your “fog shots” is incredible. Keep up that fantastic work!

  18. There are no words to express the beauty of these images and time lapses. They touch me deeply. I visit SF once or twice a year. Do you ever do workshops there?

  19. Thank you, it’s so beautyfull

  20. Lauren Rischel

    This is one of the reasons I live here. Thank you.

  21. Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant! Thank you for taking the time to capture these images. Timelapse is the most difficult to shoot for a myriad of reasons but the results can breathtaking.

  22. Tammy Fredrickson

    I absolutely LOVE the San Francisco Fog Gallery! It’s alluring & spectacular….so majestic.

  23. Fnu Monica

    I am in love with you pics. Simply breathtaking!!!

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