Hemingway's Muse?

When married to a photographer, the spouse often times finds themselves behind the scenes, carrying equipment, holding screens for lighting or sitting solo, waiting while the photographer searches for the perfect light. My husband is an outstanding photographer.  His eye captures beauty and life's complexities with the click of the camera.

So, when I took a solo trip to California to visit our son Bryan, I asked John if I could borrow one of his cameras and capture my hometown from my point of view.  I am not a photographer by nature,  but I relish in the splendid and rugged beauty of  the world around me.

Port Hueneme Pier has seen tempestuous slaps from Mother Nature throughout the years.  Fierce winter swells have slowly dismantled the pier's length and width.  Yet, one assemblage remains.  The fisherman.

In 1952 Ernest Hemingway wrote of Santiago and a relationship with a marlin.  As many times as I have drifted to the end of the pier seeking solitude and the meaning of life,  the fishermen is a constant presence. So, when walking the pier, I was moved to capture this fisherWOMAN's conversation with the sea.

A petite Filipino lady, she moved with ease and grace around the other apostles, tossing her lines out in hopes of snagging a mighty fish.  She was a quiet woman, whispering to herself; perhaps channeling her inner spirit with the sea and its' inhabitants.  

My hope is that I connected with one person, early in the morning and the sea was witness to that. 

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

Sailing Towards the Horizon

With record high temperatures in southern California during December, the beach was alive with sun soakers and castle builders during the Christmas holiday.  

Near crystal clear skies; the result of Santa Ana winds,  made for pristine sunsets where Anacapa Island could be seen without a curtain of coastal fog.

A lonely lifeguard shacks sits quietly on Hollywood Beach, in Port Hueneme, CA.  A sailboat can be seen in the waters, and a solo jogger, stopped to watch as the last of the sun's warmth dips below the horizon.  Sunset kisses, dreams and colors envelop the eye of the sand covered admirer.