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
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.
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.
