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Patrick Smith Photography - Southern Big Sur, Central California Coast |
The Southern Portion of Big Sur and the Central Coast of California
This rugged coastline gradually gives way to a more graceful look as you travel south from Big Sur. Some areas have truly surreal rock
formations. There are still some outstanding seascapes of grand proportions to be seen. This stretch of coastline extends from just south of
Pfeiffer Beach in the North to just north of Santa Barbara in the south. If you look at latitude, the exact center of the California Coast is actually
in Santa Cruz, but with so many climate zones, it is easier to just declare the Central Coast to range from Big Sur and south.
This rugged coastline gradually gives way to a more graceful look as you travel south from Big Sur. Some areas have truly surreal rock
formations. There are still some outstanding seascapes of grand proportions to be seen. This stretch of coastline extends from just south of
Pfeiffer Beach in the North to just north of Santa Barbara in the south. If you look at latitude, the exact center of the California Coast is actually
in Santa Cruz, but with so many climate zones, it is easier to just declare the Central Coast to range from Big Sur and south.
Library of Ages #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Montana De Oro State Park, California
Details: 30 second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
The rock layers which record the geologic history of Montana De Oro State Park can be read like books in an ancient library. A long exposure
emphasized 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. The footing on the
slippery stone was treacherous. One unusual effect seen here is in the small pool of still water between the rocks on the left below the horizon
and ocean. It shows the reflection of the rock layers as lines going in the opposite direction as the rest of the ‘real’ layers.
Location: Montana De Oro State Park, California
Details: 30 second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
The rock layers which record the geologic history of Montana De Oro State Park can be read like books in an ancient library. A long exposure
emphasized 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. The footing on the
slippery stone was treacherous. One unusual effect seen here is in the small pool of still water between the rocks on the left below the horizon
and ocean. It shows the reflection of the rock layers as lines going in the opposite direction as the rest of the ‘real’ layers.
The Rock Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Big Sur Coast, San Carpoforo State beach, California
Details: 1/4 second exposure @F20 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.75
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
This 50 foot rock on San Carpoforo Beach at the south end of Big Sur really takes a beating at high tide. The 3,000-5,000 foot mountains make a
nice backdrop when the light is right. It took a considerable amount of running back and forth to get the proper perspective, as the water was
moving fast.
Location: Big Sur Coast, San Carpoforo State beach, California
Details: 1/4 second exposure @F20 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.75
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
This 50 foot rock on San Carpoforo Beach at the south end of Big Sur really takes a beating at high tide. The 3,000-5,000 foot mountains make a
nice backdrop when the light is right. It took a considerable amount of running back and forth to get the proper perspective, as the water was
moving fast.
Morro Sands Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Morro Bay, California
Details: 1/2-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
Story:
Morro Rock, is the 576 ft. tall plug of an extinct volcano and is one of a series extending for many miles inland. In the winter, the sun cuts across
the rock face at sunrise and illuminates the rock and sand ripples perfectly. This low sun angle is the only way to show fine detail in the sand. It
only lasts for about 3 minutes, so I had to work fast. A low tide also exposed just enough sand while keeping it wet for the best effect. I liked
how the sand ripples pointed in the same direction as the layers of rock.
Location: Morro Bay, California
Details: 1/2-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
Story:
Morro Rock, is the 576 ft. tall plug of an extinct volcano and is one of a series extending for many miles inland. In the winter, the sun cuts across
the rock face at sunrise and illuminates the rock and sand ripples perfectly. This low sun angle is the only way to show fine detail in the sand. It
only lasts for about 3 minutes, so I had to work fast. A low tide also exposed just enough sand while keeping it wet for the best effect. I liked
how the sand ripples pointed in the same direction as the layers of rock.
Avila Reflections Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Avila Beach, California
Details: 10 second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
Avila beach at low tide in December really shows off the sky at it's best. No other time of year allows the sun to set so close to the pier. And only
low tide shows such complete reflections. This is probably the most sheltered beach in the state.
Location: Avila Beach, California
Details: 10 second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
Avila beach at low tide in December really shows off the sky at it's best. No other time of year allows the sun to set so close to the pier. And only
low tide shows such complete reflections. This is probably the most sheltered beach in the state.
Lost Coast Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: San Carpoforo State Beach, California
Details: 1/5 second exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.75
Story:
The south end of the Big Sur range feels like one of the most isolated places on Earth. Few people go to this beach, though many pass it by on
highway 1 on their way to more accessible destinations.
Location: San Carpoforo State Beach, California
Details: 1/5 second exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.75
Story:
The south end of the Big Sur range feels like one of the most isolated places on Earth. Few people go to this beach, though many pass it by on
highway 1 on their way to more accessible destinations.
De Oro Surf Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Montana De Oro State Park, California
Details: 1/4-second exposure @F10 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
The surf at Montana De Oro State Park near Morro Bay, California can be quite large, so I chose a modest sized wave to show how it feels to be
close to the action. The water was moving fast, so a 1/4 second exposure showed plenty of motion. The layers of rock show the long history of
this place. I often try to move in close to the waves to make a dramatic image. Then, I run away just before the wave hits. But with this sort of
surface, it was not easy to run or even crawl away. And the rock was quite slippery, which made matters even worse!
Location: Montana De Oro State Park, California
Details: 1/4-second exposure @F10 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
The surf at Montana De Oro State Park near Morro Bay, California can be quite large, so I chose a modest sized wave to show how it feels to be
close to the action. The water was moving fast, so a 1/4 second exposure showed plenty of motion. The layers of rock show the long history of
this place. I often try to move in close to the waves to make a dramatic image. Then, I run away just before the wave hits. But with this sort of
surface, it was not easy to run or even crawl away. And the rock was quite slippery, which made matters even worse!
De Oro Impact Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Montana De Oro State Park, California
Details: 1/4 second exposure @F10 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
Montana De Oro state park, just south of Morro Bay, California is a spectacular place to see large surf crashing against hundreds of layers of
angled rock. I wanted to get close to the action to show the texture of the rock but got drenched right after I took this shot. I covered the camera
so I was able to make more images after this.
Location: Montana De Oro State Park, California
Details: 1/4 second exposure @F10 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
Montana De Oro state park, just south of Morro Bay, California is a spectacular place to see large surf crashing against hundreds of layers of
angled rock. I wanted to get close to the action to show the texture of the rock but got drenched right after I took this shot. I covered the camera
so I was able to make more images after this.
Library of Ages #2 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Montana De Oro State Park, California
Details: 30 second exposure @F20 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
The long historical record of Montana De Oro, California state park can be read like books in an ancient library. Here, a seagull appears to be
examining a volume! A long exposure emphasizes the rock by smoothing the large surf. Second in a series showing a different view than the first
image.
Location: Montana De Oro State Park, California
Details: 30 second exposure @F20 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
The long historical record of Montana De Oro, California state park can be read like books in an ancient library. Here, a seagull appears to be
examining a volume! A long exposure emphasizes the rock by smoothing the large surf. Second in a series showing a different view than the first
image.
Big Sur Sky Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: San Carpoforo State Beach, California
Details: 3 second exposure @F22 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This beach, just at the south end of Big Sur, California may have the most massive views of any beach in the state. The mountains on the right
range between 3,000 and 5,000 feet elevation and seem to stretch to infinity. There is an isolated rock over 150 feet tall with its own cave. It looks
small on this beach!
Location: San Carpoforo State Beach, California
Details: 3 second exposure @F22 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This beach, just at the south end of Big Sur, California may have the most massive views of any beach in the state. The mountains on the right
range between 3,000 and 5,000 feet elevation and seem to stretch to infinity. There is an isolated rock over 150 feet tall with its own cave. It looks
small on this beach!
