I came to Yerba Buena Island with one plan: shoot the San Francisco skyline from a tucked-away beach beneath the Bay Bridge. But the coast guard had other ideas, the site was completely fenced off.

Still, rather than give up, I climbed higher into the island, accidentally wandered into a construction zone, then slipped through a gap in the fencing. And just like that, the trees gave way to this unexpected view. No light at first. Just quiet.

Sunset crept in slowly. The sky was flat, unpromising. But then, far to my right, the clouds began to change. A burn of orange, purple, and pink swept across the horizon, dramatic, moody, alive. It was as if the whole city paused to watch.

Photo by: Bradley Basten