This year, his Fourth of July expedition was a blast. Along with three dozen other photographers, he captured what he called the “iconic postcard view” of San Diego — all four fireworks displays at once.
Welcome to not-so-secret Lucinda Street.
Lucinda Street descends in Point Loma’s La Playa neighborhood. Photo by Ken Stone
Known to photo clubs, social media and websites such as shothotspot.com, the steep residential street in Point Loma’s La Playa neighborhood has become a mecca for Big Bay Boom shooters.
“It’s just a matter of time,” said Hiep Le of Mission Valley, who brought friends to the shoot. “The small unknown spots get discovered pretty soon.”
Le, 46, said this year’s tripod turnout of Nikons, Canons and Sonys was about 50 percent bigger than last year’s.
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
The concrete road just east of Golden Park Avenue got so crowded, in fact, that cars quit trying to thread past them.
By 8:30 p.m., giggly local teens and serious camera folk had taken over the street.
But when 9 p.m. arrived for the 15-minute show, it was all business.
The music soundtrack wasn’t heard. Instead, it was shutter clicks — many starting exposures of 3 to 10 seconds — that dominated. Along with the concussive booms below.
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. (File photo by Chris Stone)
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Colorful displays of the 2017 Big Bay Boom for the Fourth of July over San Diego Bay — as shot from Lucinda Street in Point Loma. Photo by Chris Stone
Lucinda Street descends in Point Loma’s La Playa neighborhood. Photo by Ken Stone
Tripods took up half of Lucinda Street for the Big Bay Boom. Some photographers are able to shoot from nearby roofs or patios. Photo by Ken Stone
Victor Goodpasture (right) came from Carlsbad to get the “iconic” image of San Diego. Photo by Ken Stone
Photographers compared notes, settings and shared stories of former Big Bay Boom shoots. Photo by Ken Stone
After sunset, fewer motorists tried to thread past photographers on Lucinda Street. Photo by Ken Stone
Locals as well as visitors flock to Lucinda Street’s ideal vantage point for San Diego’s iconic fireworks show. Photo by Ken Stone
The steep La Playa street attracts more and photographers for the Big Bay Boom. Photo by Ken Stone
An hour before the Big Bay Boom, close to two dozen photographers were set up on Lucinda Street. Photo by Ken Stone
