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Patrick Smith Photography - Los Angeles Area |
Malibu Light Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Malibu, California
Details: 1/8-second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
The last rays of sunlight peeked though the clouds, bathing the Malibu Pier and the hills in the distance. The waves were small, which allowed
lots of light to reflect off the water and the sand. The sunset behind the camera was excellent with lots of color in the clouds, but I liked the light
on the pier even more. Many times, it is best to point the camera away from a nice sunrise or sunset because the light will be superb on the land
and sea opposite from the sun. I also like how the small bits of seaweed cast long shadows on the sand.
Location: Malibu, California
Details: 1/8-second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
The last rays of sunlight peeked though the clouds, bathing the Malibu Pier and the hills in the distance. The waves were small, which allowed
lots of light to reflect off the water and the sand. The sunset behind the camera was excellent with lots of color in the clouds, but I liked the light
on the pier even more. Many times, it is best to point the camera away from a nice sunrise or sunset because the light will be superb on the land
and sea opposite from the sun. I also like how the small bits of seaweed cast long shadows on the sand.
The Los Angeles Area
This is a very heavily populated area, but along the coast there are piers and lots of wide beaches which are perfect subjects for wide angle
photography under the right lighting conditions. I like to keep people out of my images so that the viewer feel like he or she is the only one in
that peaceful moment. Creating that feeling can be a challenge in Los Angeles, but it is still possible as you can see below.
This is a very heavily populated area, but along the coast there are piers and lots of wide beaches which are perfect subjects for wide angle
photography under the right lighting conditions. I like to keep people out of my images so that the viewer feel like he or she is the only one in
that peaceful moment. Creating that feeling can be a challenge in Los Angeles, but it is still possible as you can see below.
Santa Monica Spin #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Santa Monica, California
Details: 1.3 second exposure @F13 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
A medium-length exposure shows the spin of the wheel, as riders enjoyed a magnificent sunset over the Santa Monica Pier. This was the best
part of a great sunset, then I waited for the lights on the pier to become as bright as the sky in order to create Santa Monica Spin #2 about 20
minutes later. For a brief moment in between waves, the sand turned glossy, so I made sure to capture that moment with the wheel in motion,
which was not very often during the best part of the sunset!
Location: Santa Monica, California
Details: 1.3 second exposure @F13 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
A medium-length exposure shows the spin of the wheel, as riders enjoyed a magnificent sunset over the Santa Monica Pier. This was the best
part of a great sunset, then I waited for the lights on the pier to become as bright as the sky in order to create Santa Monica Spin #2 about 20
minutes later. For a brief moment in between waves, the sand turned glossy, so I made sure to capture that moment with the wheel in motion,
which was not very often during the best part of the sunset!
Santa Monica Spin #2 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Santa Monica, California
Details: 38-second exposure @F16 - No filters
Comments on this photo: Flickr
Story:
This image was taken about 20 minutes after “Santa Monica Spin1.” An extra long exposure and a little light still in the sky allowed the scene to
become evenly lit. The wheel spun about 5 times during this exposure. The spinning wheel turned out to be the most import factor to getting a
good photograph. Sometimes the wheel stopped, and the dynamic feel of the resulting image was lost. Sometimes it would turn too quickly and
become out of synch with the way the lights on the spokes worked, creating odd-looking effects. So a lot of experimentation was required to get
a smooth and dynamic look without distracting features. Improvisation is often required to get the best photograph possible.
Location: Santa Monica, California
Details: 38-second exposure @F16 - No filters
Comments on this photo: Flickr
Story:
This image was taken about 20 minutes after “Santa Monica Spin1.” An extra long exposure and a little light still in the sky allowed the scene to
become evenly lit. The wheel spun about 5 times during this exposure. The spinning wheel turned out to be the most import factor to getting a
good photograph. Sometimes the wheel stopped, and the dynamic feel of the resulting image was lost. Sometimes it would turn too quickly and
become out of synch with the way the lights on the spokes worked, creating odd-looking effects. So a lot of experimentation was required to get
a smooth and dynamic look without distracting features. Improvisation is often required to get the best photograph possible.
Under the Pier - Santa Monica #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Santa Monica, California
Details: 4 minute exposure @F13 - no filters
Story:
It was like another world under the pier at sunset. The lights allowed extra detail to be seen on the vertical pilings, while a long exposure
softened the water. It took a while to get the best vantage point where the fewest pillars were blocking other pillars while still showing glimpses
of the ocean beyond. And I had to avoid the bright lights, which would become seriously overexposed and ruin the image.
Location: Santa Monica, California
Details: 4 minute exposure @F13 - no filters
Story:
It was like another world under the pier at sunset. The lights allowed extra detail to be seen on the vertical pilings, while a long exposure
softened the water. It took a while to get the best vantage point where the fewest pillars were blocking other pillars while still showing glimpses
of the ocean beyond. And I had to avoid the bright lights, which would become seriously overexposed and ruin the image.
Under the Pier - Malibu #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Malibu, California
Details: 30 second exposure @F18 with inverted ND grad 0.9
Story:
Small waves and low tide allowed lots of detail to be shown during this long exposure. This was another one where it took a while to move
around in order to have as few pillars blocking other pillars as possible and still show detail on the front ones. And I wanted the front two
pillars to frame the image, which complicated matters a bit.
Location: Malibu, California
Details: 30 second exposure @F18 with inverted ND grad 0.9
Story:
Small waves and low tide allowed lots of detail to be shown during this long exposure. This was another one where it took a while to move
around in order to have as few pillars blocking other pillars as possible and still show detail on the front ones. And I wanted the front two
pillars to frame the image, which complicated matters a bit.
