Sand, Rock and Light Buy!
Location: South part of Luffenholtz beach, halfway to Little River State Park, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
As I was walking down the beach looking at the scenery and cloud patterns, I saw two beams of light appear in the sky. So I ran
up and down the beach until I saw two rocks to complement the rays. Placing the rays over the rocks did not look right, so I
moved to the left to give some space between the rocks and the rays. It is almost like the two main rocks are like Easter Island
heads watching the rays. I made sure to include lots of sand ripples in this image.
Location: South part of Luffenholtz beach, halfway to Little River State Park, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
As I was walking down the beach looking at the scenery and cloud patterns, I saw two beams of light appear in the sky. So I ran
up and down the beach until I saw two rocks to complement the rays. Placing the rays over the rocks did not look right, so I
moved to the left to give some space between the rocks and the rays. It is almost like the two main rocks are like Easter Island
heads watching the rays. I made sure to include lots of sand ripples in this image.
Camel Rock Buy!
Location: South part of Luffenholtz beach, halfway to Little River State Park, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Low tide at sunset produces some nice effects on a flat beach such as the ones near Trinidad. So when I noticed some dramatic
cloud and light behind Camel Rock, I included lots of soft ripples to contrast with the dramatic cloud and rock. Waves kept moving
in and erasing the patterns and reflections, so it took quite a while before things settled down into the arrangement you see here.
Then I waited for some breakers to happen in front of the rock.
Location: South part of Luffenholtz beach, halfway to Little River State Park, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Low tide at sunset produces some nice effects on a flat beach such as the ones near Trinidad. So when I noticed some dramatic
cloud and light behind Camel Rock, I included lots of soft ripples to contrast with the dramatic cloud and rock. Waves kept moving
in and erasing the patterns and reflections, so it took quite a while before things settled down into the arrangement you see here.
Then I waited for some breakers to happen in front of the rock.
Triangles Buy!
Location: South part of Luffenholtz beach, halfway to Little River State Park, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
The light briefly illuminated the beach on this cloudy evening, so I arranged the rocks into a big triangle and then the light made
triangle-shaped shadows. This only lasted for a few minutes so I consider myself fortunate to have seen this in person! Camel
Rock is in the middle with the two 'humps' not visible since they are lined up with the camera.
Location: South part of Luffenholtz beach, halfway to Little River State Park, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
The light briefly illuminated the beach on this cloudy evening, so I arranged the rocks into a big triangle and then the light made
triangle-shaped shadows. This only lasted for a few minutes so I consider myself fortunate to have seen this in person! Camel
Rock is in the middle with the two 'humps' not visible since they are lined up with the camera.
Trinidad Reflections #1 Buy!
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Trinidad State beach is a photographer's paradise, especially at low tide. The flat beach creates lots of pools and reflective sand
patterns. Here, the first light of day brightens up the higher clouds, leaving the lower ones still in the shadows for extra drama on a
warm and humid morning.
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Trinidad State beach is a photographer's paradise, especially at low tide. The flat beach creates lots of pools and reflective sand
patterns. Here, the first light of day brightens up the higher clouds, leaving the lower ones still in the shadows for extra drama on a
warm and humid morning.
Infinity Pool Buy!
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
A very low tide on this morning created a still pool that extended out to the breakers. Every minute or so, waves would interrupt the
stillness and then things would become still again. I waited for a time where I would get 30 seconds of stillness. The extra long
exposure made things look even more still, and was made possible by a very dark circular filter. The clouds moved a lot during the 30
seconds. I made sure to include some solid sand and some offshore rocks and islands to anchor the image somewhat to reality!
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
A very low tide on this morning created a still pool that extended out to the breakers. Every minute or so, waves would interrupt the
stillness and then things would become still again. I waited for a time where I would get 30 seconds of stillness. The extra long
exposure made things look even more still, and was made possible by a very dark circular filter. The clouds moved a lot during the 30
seconds. I made sure to include some solid sand and some offshore rocks and islands to anchor the image somewhat to reality!
Trinidad Evening Buy!
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
It is not always stormy or foggy in the little town of Trinidad, just north of Eureka, California. This was a great evening to stroll the beach
and watch a pleasant sunset with some good colors in the sky and sand. It was just a relaxing and enjoyable moment. I noticed how there
were lots of layers forming when several waves were breaking at once, and then I added other layers by waiting for the sand to be part
reflective and part dry.
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
It is not always stormy or foggy in the little town of Trinidad, just north of Eureka, California. This was a great evening to stroll the beach
and watch a pleasant sunset with some good colors in the sky and sand. It was just a relaxing and enjoyable moment. I noticed how there
were lots of layers forming when several waves were breaking at once, and then I added other layers by waiting for the sand to be part
reflective and part dry.
Trinidad Sands Buy!
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
When the tide is high, the receding water sometimes makes striking patterns in the sand. And when a bit of soft light hits them,
the effect is even better. They only lasted for seconds so it took a while to capture them when the waves were breaking right.
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
When the tide is high, the receding water sometimes makes striking patterns in the sand. And when a bit of soft light hits them,
the effect is even better. They only lasted for seconds so it took a while to capture them when the waves were breaking right.
Trinidad Stream #1 Buy!
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Low tide in the morning erases all footprints and creates a myriad of interesting patterns and shapes. The problem is, in order to see
and photograph them, you have to make your own footprints. The beach looks so perfect that you don't even want to spoil it by
walking on it! Also, the footprints can spoil a photo. So it is good to be careful where you walk, just in case the spot will be part of a
future picture. Just after I made this image, I walked to the right to make another image looking to the left (Trinidad Stream #2). If I
had done that one first, there would be footprints on the right side of this photo. Always plan things out in order to not ruin your
shots.
Location: Trinidad Moonstone Beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Low tide in the morning erases all footprints and creates a myriad of interesting patterns and shapes. The problem is, in order to see
and photograph them, you have to make your own footprints. The beach looks so perfect that you don't even want to spoil it by
walking on it! Also, the footprints can spoil a photo. So it is good to be careful where you walk, just in case the spot will be part of a
future picture. Just after I made this image, I walked to the right to make another image looking to the left (Trinidad Stream #2). If I
had done that one first, there would be footprints on the right side of this photo. Always plan things out in order to not ruin your
shots.
Trinidad Stream #2 Buy!
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Here is a perfect example of why you should be careful walking on an unspoiled beach at low tide. I had to approach this spot from
the background hill by walking on the very far left-side of this beach, so as to not have any footprints should I wish to photograph
the length of this beach. The beach was so perfect that I felt bad even walking here. But others had no guilt and neither did their
dogs, so I had to shoot fast since there was a walker and a dog just behind those rocks in the middle-ground! Moments later,
there were tracks everywhere and the patterns in the stream were ruined for the day. But I had my shot in the bag!
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Here is a perfect example of why you should be careful walking on an unspoiled beach at low tide. I had to approach this spot from
the background hill by walking on the very far left-side of this beach, so as to not have any footprints should I wish to photograph
the length of this beach. The beach was so perfect that I felt bad even walking here. But others had no guilt and neither did their
dogs, so I had to shoot fast since there was a walker and a dog just behind those rocks in the middle-ground! Moments later,
there were tracks everywhere and the patterns in the stream were ruined for the day. But I had my shot in the bag!
| Humboldt County This region is known worldwide for its ancient Redwood forest, but it also has a dramatic coastline with lots of cliffs, lagoons, rocky islands and sandy beaches. It could keep a photographer busy for a lifetime! Go here for prints on metal, or canvas (24x36 and smaller) Go here for full-resolution downloads, low-cost photographic prints and framing of all images on this page. |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Grandmother of the Ages #1 Buy!
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Grandmother Rock bears witness to yet another impressive sunset at Trinidad Beach, just north of Eureka, California. First
image in a series made during this evening. See the others right below.
An impressive storm (for late April) was heading to the coast. It rained hard all day but I watched the satellite photos all day and
the final front looked like it may pass overhead right at sunset. Of course, if it was 1/2 hour too late, my planned shoot would be
doomed.
So I headed out onto the beach in the driving rain with my umbrella hoping for the best. I could see hints of light appearing in the
fast-moving clouds so I ran across the beach as fast as I could, looking down to avoid the waves. When I got to my spot, the
rain was ending and I looked up and I was literally shocked at what I saw in the sky. Brooding mammatus clouds, multiple cloud
decks, you name it. I have never seen anything like this in my life!
It was high tide but I wanted reflections so it was extra hard to hold the umbrella while chasing the wet sand from the previous
wave. But the reflections really add to the overall effect.
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story:
Grandmother Rock bears witness to yet another impressive sunset at Trinidad Beach, just north of Eureka, California. First
image in a series made during this evening. See the others right below.
An impressive storm (for late April) was heading to the coast. It rained hard all day but I watched the satellite photos all day and
the final front looked like it may pass overhead right at sunset. Of course, if it was 1/2 hour too late, my planned shoot would be
doomed.
So I headed out onto the beach in the driving rain with my umbrella hoping for the best. I could see hints of light appearing in the
fast-moving clouds so I ran across the beach as fast as I could, looking down to avoid the waves. When I got to my spot, the
rain was ending and I looked up and I was literally shocked at what I saw in the sky. Brooding mammatus clouds, multiple cloud
decks, you name it. I have never seen anything like this in my life!
It was high tide but I wanted reflections so it was extra hard to hold the umbrella while chasing the wet sand from the previous
wave. But the reflections really add to the overall effect.
Grandmother of the Ages #2 Buy!
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story: (In addition to the comments I made above on 'Grandmother of the Ages #1')
I moved in a little closer to highlight Grandmother rock and how she almost is looking up to the sky. It is really quite striking. I
made sure to get the best reflection possible to enhance the mood even further. And I waited to a wave to happen at the same
time as the reflection. The two variables did not happen very often it seemed.
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story: (In addition to the comments I made above on 'Grandmother of the Ages #1')
I moved in a little closer to highlight Grandmother rock and how she almost is looking up to the sky. It is really quite striking. I
made sure to get the best reflection possible to enhance the mood even further. And I waited to a wave to happen at the same
time as the reflection. The two variables did not happen very often it seemed.
Cyclone of Light Buy!
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story: (In addition to the comments I made above on 'Grandmother of the Ages #1')
As the sunset progressed, I noticed an unusual circular vortex forming in the lower cloud deck. I waited for it to move over the
little island to draw the eye to it even more. I have never seen anything like it. It was gone in a few minutes.
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story: (In addition to the comments I made above on 'Grandmother of the Ages #1')
As the sunset progressed, I noticed an unusual circular vortex forming in the lower cloud deck. I waited for it to move over the
little island to draw the eye to it even more. I have never seen anything like it. It was gone in a few minutes.
Trinidad Surf Buy!
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story: (In addition to the comments I made above on 'Grandmother of the Ages #1')
Every so often, a wave would strike the foreground rock, making some nice patterns in front of the dark background. So I
waited.. and waited. Finally it happened when there were reflections at the same time. I had to get hit by several waves first
though because I had to stand my ground with the tripod deep in the sand!
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story: (In addition to the comments I made above on 'Grandmother of the Ages #1')
Every so often, a wave would strike the foreground rock, making some nice patterns in front of the dark background. So I
waited.. and waited. Finally it happened when there were reflections at the same time. I had to get hit by several waves first
though because I had to stand my ground with the tripod deep in the sand!
Trinidad Last Light Buy!
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story: (In addition to the comments I made above on 'Grandmother of the Ages #1')
I wanted to get a long exposure to finish off this unforgettable evening. But rather than wait for it to get darker, I pulled out my
trusty, very dark circular Hoya ndx 400 (10-stop) filter. I wanted a long exposure while there was still a nice red color to the sky.
After several attempts, I finally had the effect I wanted!
This is also available as a panorama. Send me an email to patrick at patricksmithphotography dot com for more information.
Location: Trinidad main beach, west of the harbor, Trinidad, Humboldt County, California
Story: (In addition to the comments I made above on 'Grandmother of the Ages #1')
I wanted to get a long exposure to finish off this unforgettable evening. But rather than wait for it to get darker, I pulled out my
trusty, very dark circular Hoya ndx 400 (10-stop) filter. I wanted a long exposure while there was still a nice red color to the sky.
After several attempts, I finally had the effect I wanted!
This is also available as a panorama. Send me an email to patrick at patricksmithphotography dot com for more information.
