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My first encounter with this incredible structure was back in 1984 when I was stationed at Ft. Ord near Monterey California.
Each year around the third week of November they light the Pigeon Point Lighthouse and let the 24 main beams remain still for about 5 minutes so photographers can take long exposure pictures of the lighthouse. Afterwards the beams begin to rotate so that to a distant ship, they will see one flash every 10 seconds. I have been to this event several times since learning about it a number of years ago. Each year is different and more and more photographers show up.
If you plan to shoot this event I recommend you bring the following:
. A heavy duty tripod due to the wind and long exposure
required.
. Remote control cable release (or infrared if your camera
supports it) You can use the timer if you don't have one.
. Better lenses tend to take less time to capture the image.
. Lunch and Dinner so you can arrive early and stake out your
real estate for the optimal shot.
. Warm clothing. We even bring chairs and blankets.
. A red flashlight so not to disrupt yours and other
photographers night vision. Nothing will upset another photographer
like hitting them square in the face with a 5 cell Mag light.
. A donation to restore this spectacular lighthouse which was
damaged in 2001.
This shot was taken from the recently built platform that extends to
the south side of the lighthouse. There is also a new path down to
the beach that wasn't there last year. If the tide is out this year
it might be a better position because you could get the reflection of
the beams in the
water. I'll have to arrive early and check out the conditions.
In 1853 the Clipper Ship Carrier Pigeon ran aground on rocks off the coast and sank. After several other ships followed suit it was decided to build the lighthouse was finished and lit for the first time on November 15th 1872. This event is celebrated each year with the lighting of the main lens. During the rest of the year, curtains block the view of the lens.
An electric light maintained by the Coast Guard replaces the main
lens. In December of 2001 a large chunk of metal and concrete came
tumbling to the ground. This effectively closed the lighthouse to
the public and tours to the top are restricted to special guest.
Pigeon Point Lighthouse now belongs to the State Park system and since
the damage they have been attempting to raise the millions of dollars
necessary to restore the lighthouse. Currently metal cables have been
secured to the top of the lighthouse and a chain link fence surrounds
the lighthouse. The cables have started rusting and caused long
orange streaks of rust to run down the side of the normally all white
structure. It effectively ruins many daytime photographs. So if you
can bring a few dollars to donate it is greatly appreciated by all us
photographers. If you cannot make it to the lighthouse but would
like to help, please visit the official site at
www.calparks.org/programs/resources/pigeon-point.html.
Cheers,
- Darv
LiquidMoonlight.com
© Darvin Atkeson
California Photography
bazpics, Amy Heiden, goldsteinvr, and 547 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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Syber76600 [deleted] 35 months ago | reply
beautiful image
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Filip Nystedt 35 months ago | reply
beautiful image
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Andrea Costa Creative 35 months ago | reply
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Andrea Costa Creative 35 months ago | reply
beautiful image
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Alejandro (JANITO) 35 months ago | reply
beautiful image
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Alejandro (JANITO) 35 months ago | reply
Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado FOTOGRAFIA HD (Sube 1 - Comenta 3) y nos encantaría agregar tu foto al grupo.
xochiphoto 34 months ago | reply
Que hermosa imÁGen!!: Eres un gran fotografo
FRANCI andrea 32 months ago | reply
Really Fabulous picture i love this !
Your Super shot deserves our Super award!
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This picture is Flickrific!
Please add it to the Flickrific group!
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEE MY PHOTOS, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO HAVE YOUR OPINION !
alessmile ♥ 32 months ago | reply
So beautiful and what an eye-catching colors!
vampire-carmen 32 months ago | reply
FOTOGRAFIA HD
Foto vista en FOTOGRAFIA HD.
11th.. 32 months ago | reply
FOTOGRAFIA HD
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P40MAN/John 32 months ago | reply
Beautiful work and nice history here too !
Alejandro (JANITO) 32 months ago | reply
FOTOGRAFIA HD
Foto vista en FOTOGRAFIA HD.
zetacanada 28 months ago | reply
I do the powerpoint of the songs in our church and I really like your photo of the pigeon point lighthouse and I would like to use your photo. I'd like to know how I can use it legally.
Zul Candelario
mlhradio 17 months ago | reply
Congratulations on receiving more than 25,000 views -- that's quite impressive! Now that you've reached this milestone, you might want to consider graduating this photograph from the 'Views: 5000' group to the 'Views: 25,000' group, which can be found here: www.flickr.com/groups/views25000/
Once again, congratulations and hopefully your photos will receive many more views in the future! Reminder: Photos should only be in one 'Views:xx' group at a time. (This is an automatic message posted to all items in the 'Views: 5000' group that receive more than 25,000 views. There is no need to reply to this message.)
Lags1928 [deleted] 14 months ago | reply
WOW!!! Don't ever stop Darvin, don't ever stop.
TEXEL De HEUS 13 months ago | reply
Great photo, beautiful color and a good atmosphere in the photo ... ... wonderful
A2L 12 months ago | reply
wicked shot
tobyharriman 11 months ago | reply
Aww ok so once a year they do this. I have always wanted to shoot it with these lights. I am definitely going to have to make it this year! Beautiful Shot as well :)
Samantha Nicol Art Photography 5 months ago | reply
Fantastic!