• I liked how this porthole acted as a spotlight, and the clouds around it created a straight dark shadow to the left.
  • It took a few attempts to capture the best light and motion in the water.
  • These lava rocks were sharpened by the hurricane. I literally came back bloody after this hike!
  • I like how the shadow of the clouds to the right made these clouds nearly black.
  • There is a face in the rock right here. See the big version!
  • I went for a sunrise swim right here once the golden light disappeared for the day.
  • The tripod was literally inside a cave on this spot that was scoured out by the hurricane. The rock was straight overhead.
  • beautiful - ALtammar Q8

Trade Winds - Isla Mujeres, Mexico (Near Cancun)

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The amazing quality of the light is what impressed me first when I witnessed this scene. It was so intense that I had to slightly desaturate the reddest part of the sky to retain detail! See the big version. No HDR!

Free wallpaper for over 100 of my images in 6 different screen sizes is now available!

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Settings etc.:
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1/4-second exposure @F11
LEE soft ND grad (100x150mm 0.9 + 0.6
Lee foundation kit filter holder with Lee 77mm adapter ring
Canon 5D
Canon 17-40L @ 18
ISO 50
RAW file processed with Capture One by Phase One
TIFF file processed with Photoshop

On this stretch of coastline on Isla Mujeres, the trade winds blow constantly, sending clouds and storms from Africa and keeping temperatures moderate. These rocks were under the sand until hurricane Wilma scored a direct hit on this area with wind gusts exceeding 200 mph. The newly exposed rocks were sharpened by the winds, so my legs got rather badly scratched up by the time I arrived at this spot. In this photo, a tropical
storm warning had just been issued and the winds were kicking up increasingly large surf, but the storm turned and headed out to sea later that day.

I used the light to show the reflectivity and color of the water. Also, the light filtering through the cloud deck shows its layers. A colorful sunrise is nice but this is more about the warm breeze blowing along the water and through the clouds. Fortunately the sky opened up for just a minute. Most of the time, it was either overcast or too bright. Good even filtered light is usually best when shooting towards the sun. Bright light and blues skies might be good for tourist brochures, but low warm light enhances the mood of an image.

See my profile for a link to my website where I have limited edition prints and less expensive open edition prints.
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Shahriar Erfanian, and 2387 other people added this photo to their favorites.

View 20 more comments

  1. jasonh213 30 months ago | reply

    i can only dream of the day when i can take a picture like this one! great job! got any tips for a rookie?

  2. PalmtreeKatie 29 months ago | reply

    Thank you for your hard work and for sharing your talent! Just stunning

  3. bernardo_vnt 29 months ago | reply

    Muy bonita!!!!

  4. farhan_381 [deleted] 29 months ago | reply

    superb

  5. Emotioned.com 28 months ago | reply

    We are working on a monthly travel and adventure sport competition, all winning entries will be published in an online magazine. Judge panel will selected from Flickr.

    There are 3 parts of the competition, 2 parts are currently under development:

    A Flick group called : www.flickr.com/groups/emotioned/

  6. Kate Roi 26 months ago | reply

    In my book you take the Blue Ribbon! All of your photos are magnificent!

  7. ming9595 25 months ago | reply

    great shot !!

  8. Aussiechic911♡ 24 months ago | reply

    the water seriously looks like a painting! too amazing

  9. theo0023 23 months ago | reply

    Beautiful!!

  10. eflrt35 22 months ago | reply

    Increibleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

  11. Sylverdali 21 months ago | reply

    you have captured the essence of nature what a spectacular image

  12. yaax 21 months ago | reply

    wow // fav all your photostream

  13. Bill Milligan 15 months ago | reply

    No description necessary....this one you feel, muy bien hecho. I'm a Mexico addict and this feeds my habit.

  14. Standard Deluxe 10 months ago | reply

    Your work is simply amazing Patrick.

  15. Emilio Segura López 7 months ago | reply

    excelente foto, en verdad un lugar muy bello

  16. SevenSixx 5 months ago | reply

    Great work!

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