- The sun sets here only for December and January, so get out here now!
- During July, the sun sets about here, so the hills in the background are dark.
- You only get light here that is this bright at sunset a for a month or two each year! During the day, the hills have light year round.
- These are really nice looking patches of seaweed, which I've captured on other version of this scene.
- This beach is only exposed during the very lowest of tides, though a little bit of it can be seen during the average low tide.
- These clouds had light on them for about 3 or 4 minutes so I did all my work then. After that, the light faded.
- I waited for light to hit this tower and the other one too. It really added something to the entire photo.
- The light scored a direct hit here, so it added another place for the eye to go.
- The people on this tour boat were very lucky!
- The Sausalito marina. Site of a few of my other foggy sunset shots.
- I waited to most of the water to leave so as to show a bit of reflection here. But just a hint.
- When I saw the light hit here, I knew that based on the direction of the clouds, the light would spread across the whole scene!
- I waited for this little wave to curl. I try to add bits like this to make it more interesting.
- Normally a steel-grey sky is not the best, but it provided a good contrast to the very well-lit warm clouds.
- There were surfers out here. This is the bay side with the pacific beyond the bridge.
- I made some specifically for a 1x2 panoramic crop.
- My next upload was created right here. www.flickr.com/photos/patrick-smith-photography/419530651...
- Thanks for this info!! :) - I'm on a learning curve!!
Light on the Marin Headlands - San Francisco, California
The prospect of a perfect alignment of the lowest tide of the month, at sunset, with a clearing storm and the sun setting furthest south (to the left) to light up the Marin Headlands (on the right) was too good to pass up, so I headed out for some shooting! No HDR.
Free wallpaper for over 100 of my images in 6 different screen sizes is now available!
See the 1200 pixel version!
www.flickr.com/photos/patrick-smith-photography/418662867...
---------------------------------------------------------
Settings etc.:
---------------------------------------------------------
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 17-40L @24
0.5-second exposure @F14
LEE soft ND grad (100x150mm) 0.9 + 0.75
Lee foundation kit filter holder with Lee 77mm adapter ring
No polarizer.
ISO 50
Small Slik tripod with Manfrotto pistol grip ball head
RAW file processed with Capture One by Phase One
TIFF file processed with Photoshop
No shoes so I don't have to worry about getting wet.
Resources:
Satellite imagery (choose 'National' for a local US region or use your
fave website)
www.wrh.noaa.gov/satellite/?wfo=mtr
Tide charting and preditions: (chose your area in US, other countries
have similar websites)
tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.shtml?gid=235
Wave Heights (I choose 'North Pacific from Global')
polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/main_int.html
Or Here:
www.opc.ncep.noaa.gov/shtml/RP1bw.gif
When I got here, the sky was dark and heavy, and the tide was about a foot higher, so this scene was hard to imagine at that point. But I noticed on the satellite website that the storm might break right at sunset. So I thought I had a chance.
Eventually the light got better. So while I waited for the right light over the bridge, I did some long exposures of a pier to the right of the frame that came out really well. I'll show those later. Then I took off my shoes and headed out. Fortunately it has warmed back up to normal so the water was fine. Then, the sky opened up and I made about 20 versions of this scene as the clouds and waves rolled by.
It was hard to believe that every single element I had hoped for could possibly come together like this, but never say never! I have some with a glossy surface with a reflected bridge but this version had some nice dynamic motion so I'm going with this one. It is moments like this that make me glad that I took up photography.
The map shows exactly where this is, even though it shows no beach. The beach is only there during a VERY low tide. No hiking required but you must climb down slippery rocks to get here.
See my Flickr profile for a link to my newly designed website.
.
Comments and faves
Jim Patterson Photography, Francisco Aragão, mikem1115, tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp, and 487 other people added this photo to their favorites.
rexola (42 months ago | reply)
Wonderful shot.
My Baby Mia (42 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Vision Quality Group / Invite only, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
--
Vista en tu galería. (Yo también quiero esto)
Jim Patterson Photography (42 months ago | reply)
You weren't kidding! Nice warm light, and motion in the foreground. I gave you props for predicting the storm break. Thank you!
Jon Ramsey Photography [deleted] (42 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous light, nice work as always!!
My Baby Mia (42 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called First Quality (invite only) ~Contests: CONCEPTUAL~TEXTURES~FP, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
My Baby Mia (42 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called That's What I'm Talkin About !! Post 1, Award 3 (Voting), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
My Baby Mia (42 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Atque Artificia, Post 1 and comment and fave 2, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
katherine lynn (42 months ago | reply)
This is stunning: I love the soft, pastel colors, and water movement.
Francisco Aragão (42 months ago | reply)
so beautiful view ...
Hot Flash Photography (42 months ago | reply)
Fabulous, Patrick. I so love the clean clear warm colors and wonderful composition. Excellent work as always.
tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp (42 months ago | reply)
superb water lines in the foreground and i like the side light effect on the bridge..you were there at the right time the weather looks awesome~!
Manolis Thr (42 months ago | reply)
Amazing!! Such a beautiful shot!!
ツMaaar (42 months ago | reply)
your work is always inspiring me Bli Patrick...
looks so perfect in every way !
~ Aaron Reed ~ (42 months ago | reply)
Beautiful image of the bridge Patrick. Great movement in the water. Very nice.
Xindaan (42 months ago | reply)
This is a great composition, and a very good choice of exposure time.
--
Seen in my contacts' photos. ( ?² )
ChristopherTaylor (42 months ago | reply)
Wonderful! Great photo!
Clayton Perry Photoworks (42 months ago | reply)
Great shot...!!
Patrick Morris Photography (42 months ago | reply)
Stunning shot, Patrick.
This one has so many things working so well for it.
I'd put this easily within your top 5 images.
Philerooski (42 months ago | reply)
Perfect! I really like this one.
jeffwc00 (42 months ago | reply)
An overall wow for all elements of this.
Nathalie Stravers (42 months ago | reply)
outstanding image
--
Seen on my Flickr home page. ( ?² )
stammberger13 (42 months ago | reply)
fantastic angle!
PatrickSmithPhotography (42 months ago | reply)
Thanks for your comments!
Yes, I guess I threw everything I could think of into this one. I did some more minimalistic ones too.
Patrick
Scott Stringham "Rustling Leaf Design" (42 months ago | reply)
beautiful sight.
Robert Snache - Spirithands.net (42 months ago | reply)
Thanks for sharing all your insights on making these beautiful landscapes. They are truly art!
Q@TaR_in_MyEye (42 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous
hope again [deleted] (42 months ago | reply)
Awesome shot
PhotoguyPhotography (42 months ago | reply)
What a fantastic photo Patrick! And thank you for all of the detail. I appreciate that so much!
You mentioned that you weren't wearing any shoes. May I ask what the temp is there on the beach in December?
john43_js (42 months ago | reply)
Another great shot. I like the cloud covering part of the hills. Thanks for all the picture info.
ladydipim (42 months ago | reply)
This is gorgeous work
Andrew Kumler (42 months ago | reply)
Fantastic detail and control of light..Very fine image..
*Martu* (42 months ago | reply)
I'm amazed with the quality of your photos
you are inspiration!
Fionn Luk (42 months ago | reply)
Wow amazing exposure! Great view of the Bridge. Awesome scenery, so peaceful
SewerDoc (200 Explores) (42 months ago | reply)
Beautiful landscape.
Golden Seal of Quality Award
You are invited to post this photo at
⌙ The New Golden Seal
of Quality by Invite Only ⌐ Group
Please Tag Image newgoldenseal
Post 1 photo - Comment 3 Immediately Please
Seen in MY CONTACTS Pool
I would appreciate your comments.
markeloper photography (42 months ago | reply)
Just gorgeous!
META-BEAST (42 months ago | reply)
Incredible. Classic shot of a classic landscape.
hillsee (42 months ago | reply)
Really nice comp with that low-tide f/g beach...love th light on the bridge and hills!
David db (... lost in Crozon ...) (42 months ago | reply)
I love this place through your eyes...
John Adkins II (42 months ago | reply)
This is just gorgeous! Love the exposure, I would have thought for sure it was HDR, nice work!
--
Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Lash in Virginia (42 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the annotations on the photo; very enlightening.
What incredible light; patience pays off.
Sayran [deleted] (42 months ago | reply)
Stunning tones and composition, cannot get any better Patrick. Lauren
Reedy Photography (42 months ago | reply)
Incredible image mate, great that you add those notes for us newbies too :)
cote f. (42 months ago | reply)
Beautiful, excelent work
Marc Briggs (42 months ago | reply)
A technical masterpiece :-)
It was your expertise that allowed you to asses this situation and be there, with the right equipment and be able to make all the adjustments to get the shot before the light faded. Well done!
Joshua Cripps (42 months ago | reply)
Very nice. Love the subtle lighting.
~Josh
Dustin Photography (42 months ago | reply)
Very nice!!!
siskokid (42 months ago | reply)
Beautiful capture...Love the point of view!
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
--Mark-- (42 months ago | reply)
Beautiful composition and colors.
Garrett Costanzo Photo (42 months ago | reply)
The light here is beautiful. Gorgeous shot.
fourdollared [deleted] (42 months ago | reply)
Gorgeous shot!