• A little pool reflecting the layers behind it. See the big version for a closer view.
  • The rock is as slippery as slimy moss. There is no way to walk on this surface! You can put your foot in the cracks but you get stuck. It is easier to walk when it is dry.
  • 30 seconds smoothed out the water enough to enhance the look of the rock layers.
  • I raised the lens high enough to have a gap between the near and far rocks but still show a little overlap for the feeling of depth.
  • I got into a position to show the water cascading over these rocks so there is a transition between the
    rock and the ocean.
  • I made sure to show plenty of horizon as it disappeared into the fog.
  • I liked how the colorless gray sky contrasts with the highly colorful rock.
  • This area seemed like something from a Salvador Dali painting!
  • I had to wait for the best water level that was not too high as to hide this area with all those details, and not so low as to not show the water behind this area.
  • These formations go on and on to the left and right of the frame. It is an amazing place!
  • love this part... makes me think of Avalon... - AnnuskA - AnnA Theodora

Library of Ages - Central California

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The fog settled in after another nice sunset along the central California coast.

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

The rock layers which record the geologic history of Montana De Oro State Park just south of Big Sur (3 hour drive south of San Francisco and 3 hours north from LA), can be read like books in an ancient library. A long exposure isolated the rock by smoothing the large surf. A shorter exposure would have emphasized the motion of the water and distracted from the incredible rock formations. A dark fog moved in just as the sun set to enhance the mood and allow a longer exposure time. I did make some more dramatic shorter exposures which I may show later.

It is amazing to think that at one time, these layers were put down one at a time on the bottom of the ocean. Then they were lifted and tilted at a 45 degree angle! See the Sierra Club web page for this park:

santalucia.sierraclub.org/mntdeoro.html

The footing on the slippery stone was treacherous. Every time I wanted to move more than 5 feet, I had to pack everything into the backpack and crawl along on my hands and knees, so as not to break the camera. Now I see why there are so few pictures taken close to the water at this place!

This is near Morro Bay. See the map for the exact location.

See my notes on the picture for more....

---------------------------------------------------------
Settings etc.:
---------------------------------------------------------

Canon 5D (original mark 1)
30-second exposure @F22
(I'd never use F22 on the new 5D mk II,
see my previous 2 uploads for why.)
LEE Soft 150x100cm ND grad 0.9
Lee foundation kit filter holder
Canon 17-40L @ 18
ISO 50
RAW file processed with Capture One by Phase One
TIFF file processed with Photoshop

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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Chad Galloway Photo, and 834 other people added this photo to their favorites.

View 20 more comments

  1. BrandonHansen8 44 months ago | reply

    That's nuts, is that the result of plate tectonics? We'd like to feature it on our website's Flickr group at
    www.flickr.com/groups/1290038@N23/

    And we also feature various photos on our website at www.JustSouthofNorth.com. Check us out sometime.

  2. tiffa130 44 months ago | reply

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called All about Dreamscapes, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  3. Kratos May 44 months ago | reply

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called MAW (Mountains Around the World), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  4. mgw_wgw 42 months ago | reply

    The way the layered rocks rise from the misty sea gets one thinking about their origin and how they got to be there on that angle being eroded away by the sea. Really beautiful :)
    --
    Seen on your photo stream. ( ?² )

  5. andrewpond 41 months ago | reply

    your a great editor and photographer.

  6. TomGrubbe 40 months ago | reply

    Patrick, it's this shot that made me want to travel to Montana de Oro State Park for the first time. Thanks for the inspiration!

  7. Mohammed Farhat 38 months ago | reply

    beautiful image, the composition is fantastic!!

  8. @marco 38 months ago | reply

    Fantastic!

  9. Nora Carol 37 months ago | reply

    Very interesting fg!..you're the best Patrick!

  10. Thibault B Photography 37 months ago | reply

    amazing effect on the water! very nice colors

  11. Romain Cassagne 37 months ago | reply

    All is perfect on this picture!

  12. Ashay Dhavale 32 months ago | reply

    Fantastic capture

  13. sjbvrsn 31 months ago | reply

    Beautiful!!

  14. 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/

  15. SheldonBranford (RichGreenePhotography.com) 26 months ago | reply

    The contrasts from rock to water to clouds are incredible. The rock layers just really pop. Instant fave!

    --
    Found in a search. (?)

  16. agneslinnea94 25 months ago | reply

    Your photos are just amazing. I really like the fog-ish water and the patterns of the sandstone. This is really beautiful, California is very beautiful. You capture it well :)

  17. vneevarp 22 months ago | reply

    Nice caption. The picture's great by default.

  18. belthelem 13 months ago | reply

    Excellent work!

    You are invited to add your photo to IMAGICLAND / Invite Only - 50+ Faves

    Tag your photo with Imagicland

  19. premarathne ravi 10 months ago | reply

    fantastic.... I like for this....

  20. victor98_2001 9 months ago | reply

    stunting shot

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