Tuesday, February 10, 2009

A Nice Day by the Ocean (part one)

It came to me that even though I live just a few minutes from the coast, I haven't yet posted any seascapes here, mostly because I haven't done any recently and haven't been thinking about it much. So, a Sunday afternoon with nothing else to do was the excuse I needed to head down to my favorite spot south of La Jolla Cove, especially since we were between large storms here in southern California and I hoped that some good stuff might be happening with the waves and the sky (I used to fly sailplanes for fun and you get pretty good at judging the weather when you're into soaring). Turned out that I was right... some pretty impressive breakers were riding in and the clouds were doing nice things to the light. Also, it was low tide when I got there, so was able to get out on the rocks and use them for my foreground, which is essential if you can manage it without getting soaked.
Shooting here is a much more dynamic situation than the usual landscape where everything is more or less static. The waves are changing second by second, along with the light, there are gulls flying in and out of the frame and the water flowing over the rocks actually varies the composition constantly without even moving. You have to be careful not to get dumped on by the occasional larger-than-expected wave, also.
The whole afternoon, I don't think I wandered more than 200 yards in any direction but was able to come up with at least a dozen distinct and different images. I think it might be interesting to post a series of the best ones over the next week or two as a study in how much variation lighting and framing can produce without actually changing the subject very much at all. The progression from mid-day light to sunset and beyond is pretty striking.

14 comments:

roentare said...

Seriously, this image is so ansel adam like. Excellent composition and artistic water element in the image. Really a masterpiece display of photography

The Astral Cowboy said...

Truly spectacular. I let my eyes wander for minutes and minutes on this shot. I just gotta say, "Wow".

Unknown said...

Beautiful Mark. It looks like we had the same Sunday. I was also at the sea with some very strong wind.

I really like the second one whith the waves and sky and just want to congrat you because i always find difficult to keep the highlights perfect in the white surf.

Waiting for the next :)

storybeader said...

the pics are beautiful. I love the ocean, and having the rocks puts everything in perspective... The breaking waves DO change the composition. No surfers here... I guess because of the rocks?

Jackie said...

Simply incredible!! What a fantastic view and you captured it just perfectly.

I can't wait until summer and I go back to Maine.

I always make several trips to get shots of the Atlantic and also all of the quaint little harbors.

Thanks for this beautiful share. I feel as if I went for a walk just staring into the image:-)

M Dawson said...

Stunning and so atmospheric! I lived by the seaside for several years as a youngster and some of it seeped into my blood I'm sure - I can hear the waves....

Anonymous said...

My own seascape photography has been confined to the Southern part of the East Coast. I can see that I need to come West to the Pacific. I love the rock formations and the breaking waves!

Lenox Knits said...

WOW! That is all I can say.

Over The Top Aprons said...

Marvelous, maarvelous! A joy to view; it seems like you are right there.

Florante Valdez said...

Wonderful. I always find solace in looking at nature themed photographs and you just caught a very beautiful seascape. aaahhhh.... how i wish i can also have the luxury of time to be on the beach or in a forest to do some photo adventures myself. for now, i think i'll just be visiting you site for more.

Anonymous said...

This is one spot I would likely visit most everyday! I have goosebumps...

Wonderful therapy to wash away stress and bring peace.

~Lily

Ashrays said...

Two excellent shots and wow what waves!

I always just seem to have turned away when the really big and best wave crashes in and I miss it.

Mandy said...

Found you on Adgitize. You have an awesome blog!

Mark Alan Meader said...

Dang.. this week got by me really fast, and I realized that I haven't had a chance to reply to all the nice comments on this post (I do have to concentrate on some paying work!). Please forgive me if I don't answer you all individually.. I do read and appreciate every one. So, thanks to all the "regulars" and welcome to the new folks.

James: That's a true compliment.

Patrick: I though you might appreciate this one!

Storybeader: Yeah, might be a little painful surfing here, but a mile to the south, it's very popular.

Shinade: Are you from Maine? I grew up in New England and my Dad's family is from Maine so I know it well.

Mook: I miss most of them too!