California Coast

Enchanted Coast

Tide Pool Twilight

Ocean Motion

The clouds looked fantastic Friday afternoon, so I headed over to the coast. The sunset burned beautifully that evening, and I will probably post one of those shots in the future. This shot was taken prior to the light show as I was trying to figure out a good composition. It was challenging to find a good location due to the position of the clouds and the direction of the sunset. I ended up having to move from this location after getting clobbered by a wave. This is a vertical panoramic taken prior to sunset. I was soaking wet from the waist down after this shoot. I had to run away from my locations three times due to incoming waves. I typically find a composition I like, and stick with it, but the ocean forced me to move around, and I came home with several wonderful compositions. I think I'll move around more in the future!

Sonoma Coast

Big Sur Sunset

For me, this image is the Central California Coast.

Big Sur Spring Green

A Shot Worth Dying For

(Sorry, but there is a real story to this photo) I checked the satellite in the afternoon, and the saw scattered clouds off the Pacific. I called my friend, James, and told him I was heading over to shoot the Crack. Once I arrived on Highway 1, I sent him a text telling him to get up here. The clouds and light were really nice, and the waves were massive. I thought that the swell might be too big to shoot the Crack, but fortunately it was a super low tide. I decided it would be safe as long as I stayed way back inside the small canyon. It was about forty minutes before sunset, and the rocks were wet, and extremely slippery with moss. I slipped a little while trying to get to my position. I was extremely cautious, and took a very high, and dry route to get to my location. Shortly before sunset, James showed up. We hadn’t seen each other in years, and it was great catching up on lost time. As we were talking, a couple showed up with their camera gear, and tripods. I could see them struggling over the slippery rocks, slipping a few inches, and then stopping. The waves were pounding just outside the reef, and they made their way closer to James and me. They guy knew that he was in our shot, and was trying to find a place to shoot, so we invited him to set up next to us. He took his first step towards us with his camera and tripod in one hand, wearing his fully loaded gear pack. He slipped and fell, landing on his back, and instantly slid across the rocks like a torpedo, and flew down into the crevice. I looked at James, and asked, “Did that just happen?” James replied, “F#*K!” The crack is much deeper than I ever imagined this time of the year. He was down in there, and there was a good six to eight feet of rock rising above his head. The guy’s wife was screaming while he clung for life. The surge of the ocean pounded him inside the crevice. He was holding his camera gear, and grabbing onto the rocks below for his life. I kept screaming, “Let go of your camera! Throw your camera away!” I wanted to help him, but I didn’t want to die trying. I have heard about too many people dying while trying to save others in dangerous situations. The man would completely disappear under the rushing water each time the ocean charged in. I couldn’t just sit there and watch, so I climbed down the rocks and jumped across the shallow part of the crack. I carefully walked towards him still telling him to throw his gear away. By this time he was in so much shock that he clearly wasn’t thinking straight anymore. I finally found some rocks that didn’t have slippery moss, and knelt down reaching my hand out. After some time, a big ocean surge came in, and pushed him closer to me. I eventually grabbed his arm. He wanted me to take his camera first, and I told him it was ruined, but he insisted I take the camera clearly not thinking. I took his camera and put it out of the way. and tried to pull him out. He was exhausted, but eventually I was able to help him out, and on to higher ground. About ten minutes went by wile the man sat down on the rocks in exhaustion; his clothes were soaked, and I can only imagine his thoughts about almost dying. Eventually he came over to me, and said, “My name is Z Y. Thank you.” His wife thanked us too, and we told them to get to their car, and get dry. I will never forget that day as long as I live. I hope my story gives you a sense of how dangerous this place can be. Please be careful if you shoot the Davenport Crack, or anywhere along the coast.

Crazy Cloud

This is a followup shot later in the evening from a previous post "Ocean Motion" here I've spent the past few days going through last year's photo shoots, and ended up with 15 shots that are now in my "Ready for Flickr" folder. I will probably only post a few of those as I try to keep things current. 2013 was a great year for me with photography, and making a bunch of new friends through Flickr. I look forward to more of the same in 2014! This was one of my most memorable sunsets of 2013 with this crazy cloud burning off the coast at 4 Mile Beach. I was so wet after this shoot, and didn't have an extra set of clothes. From the shoot,I had to hurry and pick up my son from a school dance. I drove an hour in wet underwear and just waited in the parking lot. Good times! Thanks so much for looking! 21mm @ F/16 @1/2 second @ISO 100

Big Sur State of Mind

Sometimes it’s the journey, not the destination. Big Sur is a special place for me. I was fifteen years old when I first went there with four good friends in high school. It was in October of 1982 when my friend, Mark, had just received his driver’s license in the mail, and we all piled our surfboards on top of his 1976 International Scout. We drove there for the weekend, on a whim, with very little food, and a goal to find our own secret surf spot. It was a classic surf trip that only teenagers could have had. That was the beginning of my love affair with Big Sur. I have had many fun adventures, and some not so fun, in the last thirty years. Big Sur has powerful energy, a Spirit. A sense of peace can fill your soul, or for some, it can be an uncomfortable experience. I know people who get anxious, and uncomfortable down there. It can be cold, windy, and can feel dreary on many days. For me, I almost always get a peaceful, happy feeling when I’m there, and this time was no different. As soon as I drove past Carmel heading south, I could feel my mood improving. The further I drove, the better I felt. The waves were huge crashing into the jagged rocks. Huge plumes of whitewater sprayed high into the blue sky. The air temp was a warm 65 degrees, and the sun shined bright. The mountain range had also turned green from this winter’s rains. I saw more than a few couples embracing each other on the edge of the sheer cliffs. Other people were taking pictures with their families in front of Bixby Bridge. Everyone one along the side of Highway 1 seemed to be smiling. As I drove further, I caught myself laughing about different events that had happened with friends, old girlfriends, and family trips. The memories I have gathered over the years from Big Sur made me appreciate the life I’ve had, and the one I have today. It was good to be driving in the car with great memories, and it was good to be driving down the coast with a new set of eyes focused on photography. I was just stoked! When I arrived at Pfeiffer Beach, the mood was no different. There were about ten photographers lined up in front of the famous rock chatting, and laughing. People were polite, and courteous. It was a good vibe! Pfeiffer Beach delivered “the goods” on this day with sun, waves, and a big misty-orange sunbeam. I was so happy to be there, words cannot express. It was exactly what I needed after the frenzied holiday season. I was truly in a Big Sur state of mind. I encourage you to go to Big Sur with your friends, your family, or your partner, and enjoy this amazing place.

In Plain Sight

This amazing rock formation is on the California coast, and in plain sight, but it has been overlooked by most all photographers. It's not easy to get to, and extremely dangerous to photograph.

Big Sur Sunset

Hello!

Humpback Whales congregate in the Monterey Bay this July 2014. This shot was taken from the water off the coast of Moss Landing.

Sunset at the Pier

Taken on September 1st. I had the pleasure of sharing this sunset with my friend /photographer, James Stanton. Most of my shots from this shoot were ruined with ocean mist on my lens. It was really hard to keep the glass clean with ocean spray flying through the air.

Panther

This was the scene along the coast Monday evening. The waves were pretty big, so I kept a safe distance this time. Even though the sun had gone down, a vertical glow emanated from its point of descent. Notice the brave Seagull near the crashing wave on the left. Wishing I had made it over to the coast for Tuesday's sunset, but you just can get them all. This is a three shot panoramic, and then heavily cropped on both sides, so it's more like a two shot panoramic. Zeiss 21mm @ f/11 @ 1/4 second @ ISO 100

Sunset Season

Wild Allysum

Spring time along the coast brings wild weather, and beautiful flowers.

A Touch of Rain

About 20 minutes after I took this shot, I walked down to that rock. I climbed on top of that rock, and it began pouring rain. Luckily I had some garbage bags, and I was able to cover my gear. By the time the rain stopped it was almost dark. There was no sunset on this day

The Crack

Approaching Storm

The Reef

Winter Light

Sunset at Martin's Beach

Point Lobos Sunset

It was like being on a lake with no wind, and no waves. You could hear every seal barking, and every bird call on this unusually calm evening.

Twilight at Martin's Beach