Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse
Perched at the end of the San Pedro breakwater, this distinctive white lighthouse with bold vertical black stripes is one of the most visually striking on the West Coast, and its unique concrete and steel construction gives it a strong, graphic quality that photographs beautifully. Walk the breakwater to get close and shoot upward for a dramatic low-angle perspective, or pull back to frame the tower against the open Pacific with the Los Angeles harbor skyline in the distance. A telephoto lens lets you compress the scene and isolate the lighthouse against passing container ships or tugboats for added depth. Golden hour light in the late afternoon wraps the white facade in warm tones, while overcast days make the black stripes pop with clean contrast. Wear sturdy shoes for the breakwater walk, and check tide conditions before heading out, as the rocks can be slippery. (San Pedro, Los Angeles, California, United States)
