Golden Gate Park Photo Walk: Japanese Tea Garden & de Young - Sat. Aug. 15

Join me to photograph San Francisco’s iconic Japanese Tea Garden along with the interesting art & architecture of the de Young Museum
About this Event

Photography isn’t just about finding beautiful places—it’s about learning how to capture what your eye sees. Sometimes that means creating an iconic image; often, the more interesting challenge is making something creative and personal. Join me for a morning of photographic exploration at the Japanese Tea Garden and the de Young Museum.

Admission to the Japanese Tea Garden is not included in the photo walk registration fee. You’ll need to purchase a separate admission ticket in advance or when you arrive. . See below for details.

Japanese Tea Garden
We will begin our photo walk with 45 minutes to an hour in Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden. The Tea Garden is one of San Francisco’s most iconic and beautiful places. There is no shortage of subjects: ponds, bridges, plants, paths, architectural details, and layered views. That abundance can also make it surprisingly difficult to photograph well—and to create images that feel like your own.

Crowds, narrow pathways, changing light, and the challenge of choosing one subject from so many possibilities all require patience and flexibility. We may need to wait for people to pass, simplify a busy scene, adjust to the available light, or find a less obvious way to photograph iconic views.

This part of the walk is an opportunity to confront these challenges and create photos that are creative, personal or both — but the iconic ones are also great... they became iconic for a reason after all.

de Young Museum
After the Japanese Tea Garden, we will go next door to the de Young Museum. The outside of the de Young Museum offers a completely different photographic challenge from the Japanese Tea Garden. Instead of organic forms, we'll work with contemporary architecture—photographing weathered copper, repeating patterns, dramatic textures, and bold geometric forms.

Once inside, we’ll visit the observation tower (which is accessible without purchasing museum admission). At first, the tower may seem primarily like a place to make sweeping photographs of Golden Gate Park and San Francisco. But stay for a few minutes and look more closely, and other possibilities begin to appear: circles, patterns, reflections, and layered views. It can also be a great place to practice street/ candid people photography.

After the tower, we’ll photograph interior architecture in other public areas on our way to the sculpture garden. In the far corner of the garden, we'll visit, James Turrell’s immersive skyspace. Inside this unusual space, a circular opening frames the sky while the curved walls, changing light, and other visitors create possibilities for abstract, architectural, and people-centered photographs.

Lunch (aka Cameras & Coffee)
After the walk ends, the museum cafe is a great place for a coffee, snack, or lunch. Stick around if you want to recharge, socialize and share thoughts with the group. Food/drinks not included.

Image Review
I'll schedule an evening zoom seven to ten days after the walk so that anyone interested can review images as a group.

Additional walk info

• Meeting place and start time: We’ll meet outside the main entrance to the Japanese Tea Garden at 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. Please arrive a few minutes early. The walk begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. Phone and text me at (415) 723-6009 that morning if you need to reach me.
• Camera equipment: Bring any camera you enjoy using, including a phone. Tripods are not recommended because of the narrow garden paths, other visitors, and the pace of the walk.
• Terrain and accessibility: The walk includes paved paths, uneven stone surfaces, slopes, and stairs. The Japanese Tea Garden has limited wheelchair-accessible routes, and much of its historic landscape is not wheelchair accessible. Participants may skip areas involving stairs or steeper paths and photograph from the more accessible portions of the garden. The de Young Museum’s public areas are more fully accessible.
• Weather: Come prepared for changing San Francisco conditions, including direct sun, cool temperatures, wind, or fog. A light layer and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Maybe a hat and sunscreen as well.
• Japanese Tea Garden Admission: Admission to the Japanese Tea Garden is not included in the photo-walk registration fee. Participants must purchase their own admission ticket in advance or upon arrival. Admission ranges from free to $18, depending on residency, age, membership, and other eligibility. The tea garden website encourages you to purchase a timed ticket ahead of time, but this is probably not necessary since we are going in at the opening. More information about garden admission is here.

Need help getting ready for the walk? If you’d like help understanding your camera or settings beforehand, get in touch about a one-on-one lesson. Book a lesson before the walk, and I’ll deduct the cost of the walk from the lesson fee.
About Josh
Josh Weinberg is a San Francisco Bay Area photographer, photo educator, and mentor who helps people use their cameras to see more deeply, make stronger images, and develop their own visual voice.

He leads small-group photo walks and workshops designed to give each participant time to explore, ask questions, and receive individual guidance. Josh also offers one-on-one lessons in person and online.

His own photography is drawn to the color, architecture, and overlooked details of urban environments, but his goal as a teacher is to help each person discover what draws them in and photograph it with greater skill and confidence. He also teaches and lectures on photography, including as a supporting instructor at the College of San Mateo.