For many of you, last week was Spring Break. I graduated from San Diego State University in 2014, so the week would’ve flew straight over my head if it wasn’t for my boyfriend.
But we didn’t vacation on the sandy beaches of Mexico. I don’t think I’ve actually ever met someone who spent their entire week in a straw hat screaming, “Cancun, Spring Break!”
Okay, if you have partied in Cancun, I’m pretty sure you’ve never said that.
Anyways, Tim was busy working at San Diego Crew Classic, and had to be on call during his off days. But the cool part about living in San Diego is that there are a ton of things to do.
I wanted to utilize my new macro, wide-angle lens towards my current obsession with astrophotography. But since the city isn’t exactly the best place to capture the stars, I decided to test it out in Balboa Park.
If you’re looking for a spot to set up your camera, the park is essentially a photographer’s haven with fountains, intricate architecture, and flowers.
But we didn’t vacation on the sandy beaches of Mexico. I don’t think I’ve actually ever met someone who spent their entire week in a straw hat screaming, “Cancun, Spring Break!”
Okay, if you have partied in Cancun, I’m pretty sure you’ve never said that.
Anyways, Tim was busy working at San Diego Crew Classic, and had to be on call during his off days. But the cool part about living in San Diego is that there are a ton of things to do.
I wanted to utilize my new macro, wide-angle lens towards my current obsession with astrophotography. But since the city isn’t exactly the best place to capture the stars, I decided to test it out in Balboa Park.
If you’re looking for a spot to set up your camera, the park is essentially a photographer’s haven with fountains, intricate architecture, and flowers.
In-between The Museum of Art and Casa del Prado Theatre sits the Botanical Building, which was built in 1915 during the Panama-California Exposition. Right when we walked in, I inhaled the most delicious oxygen. If that doesn’t make sense, try being enclosed with 2,100 lush plants, and say that you can’t tell the difference.
There were other marvelous smells, including the Easter Lilies that drenched the atmosphere with their perfume. In another section, you could rub your fingers against a leaf and attempt to detect its scent, like a scratch and sniff sticker.
I couldn’t take too many pictures since my battery was dying, but we still had a great time trying to capture the details of the orchids, ferns, and other exotic plants. We must have looked a sight, kneeling on the ground and struggling to keep upright as we manually focused the camera lens with quivering fingers.
There were other marvelous smells, including the Easter Lilies that drenched the atmosphere with their perfume. In another section, you could rub your fingers against a leaf and attempt to detect its scent, like a scratch and sniff sticker.
I couldn’t take too many pictures since my battery was dying, but we still had a great time trying to capture the details of the orchids, ferns, and other exotic plants. We must have looked a sight, kneeling on the ground and struggling to keep upright as we manually focused the camera lens with quivering fingers.
We were going to call it a day, but if you know me, you'll know that I'm a sucker for the sentimental. On our way out, we walked by a folding table holding vintage Polaroid cameras. The signs displayed several pictures of people posing in front of the Botanical Building, looking happy to be spending the day with the one they loved.
I stopped and looked back, debating with myself. We weren’t tourists, but I always thought there was something incredibly romantic about having your picture taken with the cameras our parents used to haul around.
I was sold in seconds. I tugged Tim’s hand and stood at the table for a couple minutes before a woman with a great smile and a camera appeared. Let's be honest, I can be a little cheap. I balked at the standard donation at first-seven dollars-but I relented once I saw the enthusiasm in her eyes. She had been at this for awhile, she said, and hoped to be able to earn enough to take her cameras on the road to places like Yosemite National Park and New York City.
And what the heck. Tim and I already had some memorable pictures, ones that included us posing with parrots and another in cowboy outfits.
But by helping someone achieve their dreams, we received the best picture of the two of us in return. That in itself was worth it.
I stopped and looked back, debating with myself. We weren’t tourists, but I always thought there was something incredibly romantic about having your picture taken with the cameras our parents used to haul around.
I was sold in seconds. I tugged Tim’s hand and stood at the table for a couple minutes before a woman with a great smile and a camera appeared. Let's be honest, I can be a little cheap. I balked at the standard donation at first-seven dollars-but I relented once I saw the enthusiasm in her eyes. She had been at this for awhile, she said, and hoped to be able to earn enough to take her cameras on the road to places like Yosemite National Park and New York City.
And what the heck. Tim and I already had some memorable pictures, ones that included us posing with parrots and another in cowboy outfits.
But by helping someone achieve their dreams, we received the best picture of the two of us in return. That in itself was worth it.
Outfit: It was a little windy that day, so I chose a H&M patterned dress ($17.99), a DIY crystal necklace, a Hollister faux-fur coat (similar one here), and some boots my sister got for me on her last trip to Guatemala.
What's your favorite go-to spot in Balboa Park? Let me know in the comments below or on my new app for android devices, here.