• This surge overwhelmed where I stood by 10 feet. This is a wide-angle shot and the waves are huge, as you will see later.
  • I waited for the sand to be glossy.
  • The seagull was very cooperative and even came back to this spot after the water receded!
  • It really was a light blue back here.
  • I like the super-grippy granite. No worries about slipping and good for quick escapes.
  • The foaming ocean turned this area nearly info a fog bank!
  • I waited for this patch of blue to move in, for some color contrast from the super-warm light, which turned everything orange!
  • The sand has a golden color, but the light made it even more-so than normal.
  • The area back here is supposed to be a nude beach, but I've never seen any naked people here!
  • beautiful light! - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • cute bird is a bonus to the whole scene - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • this is wild! - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • That's nothing Jessy, wait till you see the next one!
  • great amount of light gives a nice reflection and detail of the sand..love it! - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • Thanks Jessy, I would see the opening coming up and I hoped that the light would get through.
  • thanks Patrick, can't wait to see it! - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • This bright area is not from processing. It was there in the back of the camera. So I left it as it was.
  • This is my inflatable velcro seagull. Perfect for these moments...
    ......hehe!
  • hidden paradise? hehehe - tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp
  • I don't know about that Jessy. From the people I've seen on nude beaches, it is best to not look too closely...hehe! The beach is paradise though...
  • Beautiful color - sanjoy_iptel

Ocean Mist - Grey Whale Cove, California

This photo is on the front of the newly designed state of California website along with several other photos of mine! www.ca.gov

A big pacific storm this week churned up the ocean into a sea of spray and mist. Then, it all turned this unusual glowing yellow orange for a minute just as the sun set. The RAW file looks just like this, though it looks unreal! 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/429476936...

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

Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 17-40L @19
1/5-second exposure @F11
LEE soft ND grad (100x150mm) 0.9 + 0.75
Lee foundation Kit filter holder
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
Bare feet and shorts for the ineviable drenching

---------------------------------------------------------
Story:
---------------------------------------------------------

The ocean turned into a white frothing fury all of this week as squalls of heavy rain passed through the area. I waited it out behind a cliff under my umbrella and then went out during the sunny openings in the clouds. I was being careful about my back, which is getting better but I made sure to carefully plan my exits for when the water surged up the beach.

And it really surged. This was different than when you get the occasional 'sneaker wave' when 3 waves may occasionally combine at the last moment. This looked more like the tsunami videos I've seen. There were big waves all the time, but sometimes you could look out and see the entire ocean become frothing white and rise high above the horizon until the horizon was blocked from my view. You can see it starting on the left horizon. When that happens, I knew that I had about 30 seconds to get my shot and get out of there. It was not really shoot and run from each wave, but more like shoot a few and then retreat back much further than it may seem necessary.

About 1 minute after this moment, this spot was literally under 10 feet of water, which did not subside for another minute. I have never seen water this dangerous. Strangely enough, there was a family playing in the surf after they got totally drenched.

I have a fairly extreme shot when the sea was really angry, which I may show later. And last night was unbelievable, I may show that too eventually.

------------

The map shows exactly where this is.

See my Flickr profile for a link to my newly designed website.
.

---------------------------------------------------------
Resources:
---------------------------------------------------------

Google Earth
earth.google.com/

Simply the best way to scout out locations that there is. You can see sun angles and pre-visualize light under lots of different conditions. Sometimes you can actually pre-compose your shots! This has saved me many thousands of vertical feet of climbing by avoiding spots with blocked views etc.

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

Photos of every inch of the California coastline from a small plane. Excellent for close in detailed views.

www.californiacoastline.org/

I get my cameras, filters, etc. here:

www.bhphotovideo.com/
or
www.adorama.com/

---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------

Comments and faves

  1. ★

    Assaf_F, OmMane, stopkatie, kotobuki711, and 759 other people added this photo to their favorites.

  2. Assaf_F (40 months ago | reply)

    Wow, what a stunning piece of art. I love how so much detail has to go into taking these kinds of pictures. I'll bet you are so proud when you create such a beautiful piece of work. I would be!

    cheers

  3. Ian Currier (40 months ago | reply)

    very very nicee, i like the bird in the right of the frame as well.

  4. stammberger13 (40 months ago | reply)

    is this spot not known as the devil's slide nude beach? very nice warm tones here!

  5. kaddisudhi (40 months ago | reply)

    Love the frothy look of water. Another excellent composition.

  6. DanielEwert (40 months ago | reply)

    I was sure it was an HDR when I saw the thumbnail, but when I saw your name I knew it would not be. Great techniques here, as usual. The color and light are really nice in this one.
    Daniel

  7. Garrett Costanzo Photo (40 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful Capture. So many wonderful details in this photo.

  8. Ivan Rumata [deleted] (40 months ago | reply)

    Oh!!! wow, what a beautiful place.

    --
    Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)

  9. Ben_D (40 months ago | reply)

    Lovely golden sand. Your note about the surge is chilling -- stay safe.

  10. drshrinker (catching up) (40 months ago | reply)

    Amazing!!

    Have you found Capture One to be a whole lot better than ACR or LR?

  11. ksbukhari (40 months ago | reply)

    I was sure that it is an HDR. Great techniques here, as usual.

  12. fourdollared [deleted] (40 months ago | reply)

    Great colors!

  13. PatrickSmithPhotography (40 months ago | reply)

    Thanks for your comments.

    Yep, no HDR. Though I'm not opposed to it. It is just easier for me to get it all in a single shot. I like to keep post-processing as simple as possible.

    Yes Capture One has so many controls and it is easy to get it looking natural. It is expensive, but worth the time saved.

  14. Rob Kroenert (40 months ago | reply)

    Another beauty! There's something interesting going on in every part of this image. Very cool!

  15. Striking Photography by Bo Insogna (40 months ago | reply)

    Fantastic!

  16. I M R A N Maskeen (40 months ago | reply)

    stunning

  17. rkramer62 (40 months ago | reply)

    Utterly fantastic!!!!

  18. tropicaLiving - Jessy Eykendorp (40 months ago | reply)

    BREATHTAKING view in large!! i really enjoy it :) Thanks Patrick, have a great weekend~! xoxo

  19. Dalia Drulia (40 months ago | reply)

    beautiful

  20. slo-jo (40 months ago | reply)

    this is stunning! do you normally try and predict if the weather will break like this or just always happen to be in the perfect place at the perfect time? this shot looks more like hawaii than pacifica, at least compared to all the times i've been there lol

  21. PatrickSmithPhotography (40 months ago | reply)

    Thanks for your comments. I do try to get something interesting into every part of it.

    You have a great weekend too Jessy!

    I look at the satellite movies and if the timing looks good for there to be a break at sunset, I give it a shot. If it is clear or too cloudy, I'll wait for another day. Rarely is the light good like this. It just seems like it because you only see the good stuff! There are too many clear or foggy days along this coast, so it can be frustrating!

    Patrick

  22. Abhishek \m/ (40 months ago | reply)

    Excellent light Patrick !! As always love the way you have taken into consideration each every minute detail.. love the way sand in the foreground is shining & the golden light is adding beauty to the sheen..Simply awesome shot !! :)

    --
    Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)

  23. mikebaird (40 months ago | reply)

    Patrick, the quality and consistency of your work is something to behold and try to learn from!

  24. windwardskies (40 months ago | reply)

    Incredible! Your work is always inspiring, and your willingness to share every last detail is truly wonderful. I would love to observe you at work the next time you're in Hawaii!

  25. Africa Dave (40 months ago | reply)

    Stunning Patrick!!! This is a beautiful view and very well taken!

  26. Sarah[Ann] (40 months ago | reply)

    Patrick, do you ever host any photo events in the area? I'm in Concord and would love to pick your brain some time :)

  27. mahnaznahmed (40 months ago | reply)

    an incredible capture Patrick...in the large size...i can almost feel the clouds moving, can almost hear the waves, and feel the sand beneath my feet....you have done a remarkable job!

    i was thinking if i was there someone would have to pry me away or bribe me with a million dollars, for i would not budge....then i read your narrative...

    have an injured spine too from a motor vehicle accident...i do not know what is wrong with yours, but please do take care of your back...

    thanks for sharing this remarkable scene!

  28. Saurabh Deoras Photography (40 months ago | reply)

    awesome. i know exactly where this is... been here several times but like your rendition of the place so much better. always good to see your take on things... unique as always.

  29. Kristal Kraft ~ DenverDwellings (40 months ago | reply)

    Your work is nothing short of amazing.

  30. PatrickSmithPhotography (40 months ago | reply)

    Thanks for your comments!

    Mahnaz, I had a herniated lumbar disc 3 weeks ago. It is getting better by the day now, but the first week was bad. I've never had back problems before, so hopefully it is back to normal. But I'll be careful now.

    Patrick

  31. Pablo Poulain (40 months ago | reply)

    beautidful colors

  32. Michael Bandy (40 months ago | reply)

    Excellent shot. Amazingly clean and wonderfully composed. Beautiful!

    --
    Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)

  33. alan guido (40 months ago | reply)

    amazing capture

  34. shuklendu (40 months ago | reply)

    superb !!

  35. Sayran [deleted] (40 months ago | reply)

    Stunning capture Patrick. Take care of you back :)

  36. andrew katic (40 months ago | reply)

    nice capture.love the foreground

  37. ilkin. (40 months ago | reply)

    Beautiful shot! Well done...

  38. PatrickSmithPhotography (40 months ago | reply)

    Thanks for stopping by for a look!

    Patrick

  39. ©Helminadia Ranford(New York) (40 months ago | reply)

    amazing Light Patrick.....love the foreground!

  40. Indiana Ivy Nature Photographer (40 months ago | reply)

    Very beautiful !

  41. Elizabeth Haslam (40 months ago | reply)

    Patrick, I was out and about in the global "weirding" in Cambria California with my new rain jacket for the camera. I returned with a dead camera. So lucky yours survived with a beautiful shot.

  42. FishFingers1 (40 months ago | reply)

    Magical as usual !!

  43. Gregor Samsa (40 months ago | reply)

    amazing color palette ! ...

  44. Dene' Miles (40 months ago | reply)

    absolutely gorgeous!

  45. Marc Briggs (40 months ago | reply)

    Amazing image, so crisp and sharp.
    It's kind of spooky to know that that much water can pile up so quick.

  46. B℮n (40 months ago | reply)

    Excellent tones used Patrick!
    The rocks looks like whales.

    Enjoy your day!
    GRTZ,BEN

  47. Lightvortex (40 months ago | reply)

    Great photo and nice notes)

  48. Weirena (40 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called EmpyreanLand/Cityscapes-INVITE+15FAVES, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    a fantastic picture ... greetings from vienna :-)

  49. Weirena (40 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called NewEmpyreanElite post1-award1 (50Faves+), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  50. Weirena (40 months ago | reply)

    Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Splendid Pictures/Admin Invite Only, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

  51. Salva del Saz (40 months ago | reply)

    Nicely composed and beautiful colors.

← prev 1 2 3 4 5
(237 comments)
keyboard shortcuts: ← previous photo → next photo L view in light box F favorite < scroll film strip left > scroll film strip right ? show all shortcuts