I live in San Diego and know of no place where it is safe to shoot unclothed models.
if you plan to shoot models who are fully dressed, or at least in bathing suits the city is full of locations.
Balboa Park, any of the beach communities, Seaport Village, anywhere along San Diego Bay or Mission Bay.
On a completely unrelated subject, a friend is in SD for a conference over the weekend and will have some free time. I thought I might ask her to pick up some film and/or chems for me, as it is usually far cheaper in the States than here. Any place still carrying a full range of darkroom supplies that I might direct her to?
Edit: I can not really ask her to head up to Freestyle, unfortunately
On a completely unrelated subject, a friend is in SD for a conference over the weekend and will have some free time. I thought I might ask her to pick up some film and/or chems for me, as it is usually far cheaper in the States than here. Any place still carrying a full range of darkroom supplies that I might direct her to?
Edit: I can not really ask her to head up to Freestyle, unfortunately
This thread reminded me of a road trip east of SD 'many' years ago. I was headed to the Ariz. desert and had to get through the mountains first. Came upon this scene in Julien, CA. It's a 35mm Kodachrome. Quite the alpine look to it and it reminded me of Michigan more than southern Cal. I did head on to the desert, lots of interesting scenes, but unfortunately, by then it was mid-day and not my favorite time for shooting.
There's a whole lot of Sonoran desert on the other side of the mountains. Things start getting interesting within an hour's drive east of downtown; beyond that is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which covers something like half a *million* acres and is really stunningly beautiful, especially in the spring.
Lots of places to shoot models undisturbed, though nudes would require some care (and a lot of sunscreen). The setting won't be to everyone's taste, though, and it is a pretty fair distance out of the city proper.
I'm there for a trade show, I have about 2 hours to shoot per day with available light, maybe 4 if i wake up at 5 am. No nudes, though it is nice to hear it can be done.
I lived in San Diego for 8 years until 2005. Balboa Park is really nice. I like the conservatory and Japanese Garden (which you have to pay a small fee for), and there are a lot of nice buildings and patios to explore. You just have to keep an eye out for other wandering visitors who might walk into your shot.
How about Black's Beach in Del Mar? The cliffs might make an interesting backdrop. La Jolla Cove is good if you want rocks and waves in the shot. Both are just a short drive from downtown.
On a completely unrelated subject, a friend is in SD for a conference over the weekend and will have some free time. I thought I might ask her to pick up some film and/or chems for me, as it is usually far cheaper in the States than here. Any place still carrying a full range of darkroom supplies that I might direct her to?
Edit: I can not really ask her to head up to Freestyle, unfortunately
I live in the San Diego area, and have found Calumet in Escondido an unreliable source for darkroom and film supplies. Nelson's has a much better inventory in that respect, and is much closer to the Convention Center, downtown, and the airport.