Flickr: BenKH's Photostream

Mystical Solstice

Golden rays of light burst through a unique doorway carved by time along Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur. Truly one of those beautiful moments where the elements combine in your favor. Winter solstice is the time at which the Sun is at its southernmost point in the sky. During this brief period our sun lines up directly with this portal and allows us to witness a unique phenomenon.

This truly is one of the most popular locations making it hard to get a unique shot. But i guess sometimes you just have to give in and realize this portal, even though photographed like crazy, is still absolutely beautiful. I took this right before i shot "winters nightfall" I hadn't planned on uploading any of these shots but this one caught my eye and i decided it would be a shame if i didn't post it. If anything it makes a killer desktop background! The weather was absolutely crazy in Big Sur this winter. I could have sworn some of the waves over in Garrapata State Park were close to 20ft high with some of the most unique rip currents I've ever seen. Good luck to anybody who falls in!
I was very happy to finally witness the portal in action and hope to return soon. Ive continued fine tuning my editing process so every new shot has been a great learning experience.
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-Lee filter system, 105mm Polarizer-

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Uploaded on Jan 26, 2012 | Map

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Dreaming Awake

Soft winter light combined with a dramatic winter ocean hits the coasts of Montana De Oro State Park, CA. Taken on my most recent productive trip into northern California. This coastline is a beautiful area with endless compositional possibilities. The tides are wild during winter and many of the the unique rock formations are constantly under powerful high tides. 20 minutes before this shot i and my camera were completely drenched by a wave almost like a Shamu show at sea world, thankfully i had my rain cover on my gear! definitely gave me a scare though. Ive been trying to take a turn in my processing habits and drop some old habits! much more to come in 2012.
Full View my shot!

-Lee filter system, 105mm B/W polarizer-

-Follow me and my work on these various websites-
500px.com/BenjaminHill
benkhill.deviantart.com/
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002962762615&ref=ffl

Uploaded on Jan 19, 2012 | Map

51 comments

Winters Nightfall

Winter tides rush toward a flaming sunset at Pfeiffer Beach, CA.
Just got home from a epic road trip back into Big Sur with a view stops on the way. I had previously been shooting the portal and became tired of the endless groups of photographers shooting the famous rays. The thought that everyone of us was getting close to the same shot was making me a bit queezy! I realized i was ignoring a beautiful sunset and hiked up north to capture it. After a evening of shooting i perched myself up on a rock and watched the color fade away. Sat down the second i got back from Big Sur and tackled the process of using luminosity masks... wow what a life saver. I would like to thank D Breezy for a helping me work out a couple kinks in my editing process.
Take time to Full View this shot!

-Lee filter system, 105mm B/W polarizer-

-Follow me and my work on these various websites-
500px.com/BenjaminHill
benkhill.deviantart.com/
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002962762615&ref=ffl

Uploaded on Jan 14, 2012 | Map

70 comments