Sometimes everything seems to come together for a brief moment. A lot of it is pure luck I say! 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/444600323...
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Settings etc.:
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Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 17-40L @17.5 (I never go wide all the way!)
1/5-second exposure @F14
LEE soft ND grad (100x150mm) 0.9 + 0.75 (5 1/2 stops total)
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
Bare feet, no way to keep dry if you wish to get close!
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The Story
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Yes, much of this is the result of good old-fashoned luck. True, I did plan to come here because It was raining and it looked like the storm would clear out (moving to the left) just as the sun set. And I did know that the waves would be of a decent size. I also knew that the tide would be high and that this time of the year is when light strikes the monolith rock at a slight angle just as the sun sets.
However, I did not know that the pattern in the clouds would line up with the briefly appearing retreating lines of foam. I did not know that the waves on the right would momentarily appear in front of the newly opened red colored gap in the clouds. And I did not anticipate that the retreating dark grey clouds moving off to the left would provide some color contrast compared to the otherwise colorful scene.
When you add up all of the randomly appearing elements in this photo, they count for at least half of the total surface area in the frame. I guess what I'm saying is that no matter how much you plan and think about what you hope to witness, nature is so random that you will always be surprized! And that is half the fun, don't you think?
Here is a group I formed for the workshop that was held the next day.
www.flickr.com/groups/patricksmithworkshops/
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Resources:
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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.
The map shows exactly where this is. It is an easy hike from the parking lot.
See my Flickr profile for a link to my newly designed website.
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Sean Foster, AnnuskA - AnnA Theodora, and 870 other people added this photo to their favorites.
View 20 more comments
LLORCHDREAD 32 months ago | reply
awesome!!!
Bernardo Möller 32 months ago | reply
Beautiful! Nice water lines!
Rob Fisher [RobFisherPhotographic.co.uk] 32 months ago | reply
Amazing! Wish I could get results like this out my 17-40 :P
element_photography 32 months ago | reply
Hello Patrick,
Ive noticed in afew of your photos you have mentioned using a "Small Slik tripod" and I am wondering if you could let me know which one you are using cause I also have a 5D and a 17-40L and I really need something lightweight. If you could let me know that would be fab! BTW your fotos are amazing! Keep up the amazing work :)
PatrickSmithPhotography 32 months ago | reply
Thanks for your comments!
I use a Slik Sprint mini II tripod. It is stable and very light weight. Not good for super long heavy lenses though!
Patrick
Steve-h 31 months ago | reply
I saw this in the 700+ Faves group and Faved it.
www.dusio.net - Thedrjazz 31 months ago | reply
lovely
rondeboom 31 months ago | reply
Awesome!!!!! Spectacular point of view and colors
David K Mars 30 months ago | reply
Well I could just add all of Patricks Photostream to my Favourites but that would be greedy.
It's hard to choose but this one caught my eye with the white streaks left by the retreating surf acting as a natural lead in to the shot. Great stuff.
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/
GeeQueue 27 months ago | reply
The brilliant movement is what get's me here - my eyes race along the sand with the outgoing water and sweep up into the colours of the sky. Wow. Wow.
almarri - back 26 months ago | reply
Awesome pic
Ariadna_1980 [deleted] 23 months ago | reply
Beautiful!
janruss 23 months ago | reply
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Your photo is invited to 14 Karat Gold !
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I saw this in the 800+ Faves group and Faved it.
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Seen in the group"800+ Faves 1-2-3 (Post one,Comment and Fave two)" ( ?² )
janruss 23 months ago | reply
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Your fantastic color picture is my winner!
Please add this photo to Color Photo Award - PREMIER
The road to BRONZE, SILVER or GOLD starts at PREMIER!
Get your VOTE ON at CONTEST CENTRAL! Have you entered today's contests?
Follow CPAPREMIER on TWITTER!
janruss 23 months ago | reply
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Greg Adams Photography 22 months ago | reply
Spectacular!
Roger_T 12 months ago | reply
A very impressive shot
*Narog* [deleted] 6 months ago | reply
Great shot. Your work is fantastic.
Ania.Photography-busy 4 weeks ago | reply
I saw this in the 800+ Faves group and Faved it.