Sunset Surfer Silhouette

That's a lot of "S's" in the title.  Try to say that out loud three times quickly.  The California coast offers many wonderful photographic opportunities -- not the least of which are surfers and sunsets.  So, why not combine the two.  I went to the beach in anticipation of an epic colorful sunset but the thick marine layer just wouldn't cooperate.  The muted colors of the sunset gave me an idea to use the strong leading line and intricate geometric patterns of the pier against the surfer in slight silhouette.  I wanted this shot to be subtle and relaxed to match the feeling I had while enjoying the beautiful evening.  The gentle sound of the small waves crashing, feeling of wet sand under my feet, ever so slight chill in the winter air,  and  the sweet smell of salt air in my nose.

It was a wonderful evening at the beach.

For the techies out there the shot was made with a Fuji XE-1, f-11, 1/1100 sec, ISO 800, hand held.  Shot in Jpeg and adjusted in LR5.

Molly Dog Images Fine Art Website 


~ Johnnymac

Ocean's Ampitheater and the Opera

Shooting water is always a delight.  Capable of taking on so many forms, the photographer is never bored. An early morning walk along the shore's edge, I found this sandpiper doing his thing: Down to the water's edge to looks for sandcrabs, run furiously back towards the refuge of the sand as the wave breaks. Nature's ballet appearing with grace.

Water, in all its' magnificence is amazing.  Still, utterly silent in a lake or pond, or small veins of life as it trickles through a maze of rock and silt on a hillside in the mountains, water can transform itself to whatever geographical zip code it resides in.  

The ocean's magic is in the tide's method of crashing unto the sand with force, only to be gently pulled back to the ocean by the invisible forces of nature and gravity.  The water also keeps its' voice ever changing.  Whether the roar of the tide, or the absence of sound coming from an untouched mountain lake - water never disappoints.

... "“listen: there’s a hell of a good universe next door; let’s go”
e.e.cummings

Loving the Sunset Shoreline

Light and layering.  Yesterday's blog referenced the lighting and the lust it provides for a photographer's eye.

While in Port Hueneme, CA in late December, we were blessed with pristine weather conditions, Santa Ana winds and no on-shore fog. 

The Port Hueneme pier, originally constructed in 1956 is a familiar face along the seashore.  Being held hostage to the powerful tides that surge along the Hueneme coastline, especially during the winter/rainy months, the pier was partially destroyed in 1995, 1997 and then restructured in 1999 to what beach-goers see today.

It is not uncommon, on any given day, to walk the length of the pier and see various fisherman with their lines cast in hopes of catching dinner.  The duality of the pier is not only its attraction for fisherman, or lovers walking hand in hand, but also for solitary sun & sea stroller who can catch a glimpse of the surfers waiting for the next series of waves to appear.  Even seagulls and pelicans have a "bird's eye view" to all the happens at the end of the pier.

This photo was shot just as the sun was setting, and by allowing the shutter to remain open a little longer, I was able to garner the smooth appearance of the ocean as it laps on to the shore. In the distance you can see the Anacapa Island, part of the Channel Islands State Park and once home to the Chumash Indians, with Anacapa being only 12 miles from the Hueneme shore. 


..."Be not impatient—a little space—Know you, I salute the air, the ocean and the
land,
Every day, at sundown, for your dear sake, my love..."  Walt Whitman, Out of the Rolling Ocean, the Crowd.