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Patrick Smith Photography - Marin County Seascapes |
Pyramid Rock #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: McClures Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 0.4-second exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
I have always liked to visit McClure’s Beach to see the dramatic wave action. But it is usually too violent to get a good shot of it. On this evening
however, low tide and a partly cloudy sunset allowed me to capture the light on the rock and water without getting drenched. The warm tone
of the light showed off every detail and color in the storm-beaten rock at it's best. Once I had a good view of the rock, I waited for the best light
and then timed the wave to show how the water moved around the rock.
Location: McClures Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 0.4-second exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
I have always liked to visit McClure’s Beach to see the dramatic wave action. But it is usually too violent to get a good shot of it. On this evening
however, low tide and a partly cloudy sunset allowed me to capture the light on the rock and water without getting drenched. The warm tone
of the light showed off every detail and color in the storm-beaten rock at it's best. Once I had a good view of the rock, I waited for the best light
and then timed the wave to show how the water moved around the rock.
The Seascape of Marin County
Marin County sits along the San Andreas fault, and as a result it has some rugged coastlines and steep mountains backing the sea. There is also
a nice gap in the hills at the Golden Gate, where the fog flows inland. These conditions result in some fine photographic opportunities if you
know where and when to look for them A landscape photographer could spend an entire lifetime here and still have more to see.
Marin County sits along the San Andreas fault, and as a result it has some rugged coastlines and steep mountains backing the sea. There is also
a nice gap in the hills at the Golden Gate, where the fog flows inland. These conditions result in some fine photographic opportunities if you
know where and when to look for them A landscape photographer could spend an entire lifetime here and still have more to see.
Pyramid Rock #2 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: McClures Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 0.5-second exposure @F8 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
In this photograph, I wanted to show the movement in the water and some good detail on the rock face. The water curling around the rock was
particularly eye catching so I concentrated on capturing it at the most dramatic moment. I experimented with exposure times ranging from 0.1
seconds to a full second. A 0.5 second exposure produced the most graceful brush strokes of motion. This image was made just after Pyramid Rock
#1 which shows the cliff, but here I just wanted to show the sweeping motion of the sea. A got down low on the cliff behind me in order to have
the tip of the rock break the horizon. It made the rock feel a little closer and it brought more attention to the water motion in front. It was a
beautiful evening to hang off a cliff to try to get this shot.
Location: McClures Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 0.5-second exposure @F8 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
In this photograph, I wanted to show the movement in the water and some good detail on the rock face. The water curling around the rock was
particularly eye catching so I concentrated on capturing it at the most dramatic moment. I experimented with exposure times ranging from 0.1
seconds to a full second. A 0.5 second exposure produced the most graceful brush strokes of motion. This image was made just after Pyramid Rock
#1 which shows the cliff, but here I just wanted to show the sweeping motion of the sea. A got down low on the cliff behind me in order to have
the tip of the rock break the horizon. It made the rock feel a little closer and it brought more attention to the water motion in front. It was a
beautiful evening to hang off a cliff to try to get this shot.
Nightscape - Rodeo Beach Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Rodeo Beach, Golden Gate National Park, Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 30-minute exposure @F5 (ISO 50) with no filters
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
This long-exposure image was created under a 3/4 full moon about 1 hour after sunset. It allowed the moon to light the seascape much as the sun
does during the daytime. The waves have been reduced to a haze and the star trails indicate how much each star had moved during the exposure.
It was a warm night and after a while, my eyes became used to the darkness and I could see the faint blue in the sky. This is how it felt to be out
here, alone at night in an alien place.
In order to get a properly exposed photograph at night, a lot of experimentation is required. In previous outings at night with strong
moonlight, I tried exposures from 5 minutes to an hour. 30 minutes is just about right with this amount of moonlight and the aperture nearly
wide open at F5 with ISO 50. Under a quarter moon, perhaps an hour is necessary. Changing the ISO to 200 reduces the exposure time and also
produces less heat sensor noise, which is different than regular ISO noise. I use ISO 200 now as long as I can get an exposure of at least 10
minutes, to show movement in the stars.
Location: Rodeo Beach, Golden Gate National Park, Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 30-minute exposure @F5 (ISO 50) with no filters
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
This long-exposure image was created under a 3/4 full moon about 1 hour after sunset. It allowed the moon to light the seascape much as the sun
does during the daytime. The waves have been reduced to a haze and the star trails indicate how much each star had moved during the exposure.
It was a warm night and after a while, my eyes became used to the darkness and I could see the faint blue in the sky. This is how it felt to be out
here, alone at night in an alien place.
In order to get a properly exposed photograph at night, a lot of experimentation is required. In previous outings at night with strong
moonlight, I tried exposures from 5 minutes to an hour. 30 minutes is just about right with this amount of moonlight and the aperture nearly
wide open at F5 with ISO 50. Under a quarter moon, perhaps an hour is necessary. Changing the ISO to 200 reduces the exposure time and also
produces less heat sensor noise, which is different than regular ISO noise. I use ISO 200 now as long as I can get an exposure of at least 10
minutes, to show movement in the stars.
Sausalito Morning #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 1-minute exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9 + 2 circular ND8's (Very dark filters)
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
Story:
The light at sunrise was spectacular following an unusual October storm. I arranged the posts in the frame to make a diagonal line pointing
towards the city. The extra long exposure softened the clouds and water to enhance the impression of how it felt to be there on this morning.
Without the two stacked filters, the exposure time would have been about 1 second and that would have made the water look rather messy.
Also, I still had to use a ND grad filter to darken the sky in relation to the water just as I would have had I not used the two stacked filters.
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 1-minute exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9 + 2 circular ND8's (Very dark filters)
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
Story:
The light at sunrise was spectacular following an unusual October storm. I arranged the posts in the frame to make a diagonal line pointing
towards the city. The extra long exposure softened the clouds and water to enhance the impression of how it felt to be there on this morning.
Without the two stacked filters, the exposure time would have been about 1 second and that would have made the water look rather messy.
Also, I still had to use a ND grad filter to darken the sky in relation to the water just as I would have had I not used the two stacked filters.
Sausalito Morning #2 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 40-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9 + 2 ND8's (Very dark filters)
Story:
After making #1, I planted the tripod in the sand (only possible during a very low tide) at an angle where important parts of the skyline and
bridges are not cut off by the posts. The light at sunrise was still spectacular following an unusual October storm. Normally, it is not a good idea
to have things blocking the overall view of the background, but here it seems to give a 3d effect, so why not?
Location: Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 40-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9 + 2 ND8's (Very dark filters)
Story:
After making #1, I planted the tripod in the sand (only possible during a very low tide) at an angle where important parts of the skyline and
bridges are not cut off by the posts. The light at sunrise was still spectacular following an unusual October storm. Normally, it is not a good idea
to have things blocking the overall view of the background, but here it seems to give a 3d effect, so why not?
Southwest Swell Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Rodeo Beach, Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 1/3-second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
Rodeo Beach, just north of San Francisco often takes the full brunt of storms off the Pacific ocean. After a series of storms, the lagoon overflowed
and created a stream across the sand. I liked the striking patterns it made and waited for the surf to show lots of detail.
Location: Rodeo Beach, Sausalito, Marin County, California
Details: 1/3-second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
Rodeo Beach, just north of San Francisco often takes the full brunt of storms off the Pacific ocean. After a series of storms, the lagoon overflowed
and created a stream across the sand. I liked the striking patterns it made and waited for the surf to show lots of detail.
Starfish Pool Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 1/10-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
This beach is in Point Reyes National Seashore and can only be reached during an extremely low tide. These conditions expose normally
submerged creatures for about 1 hour. Even then, the water in this pool became a whirlpool with every wave and I had to raise the camera and
tripod above my head each time. I wanted to show the strong surge of water just as it enters the quiet pool where the seaweed was momentarily
floating undisturbed. I used F22 to show the sandy bottom and rocks as sharp as possible. A 1/10 second exposure was just long enough to
show movement in the water. Sometimes a lot of planning is required if you wish to make an unusual photograph. In this case, I planned to
come out to this beach during an extra low tide near sunset. And I wanted to see some light fog and mist in the air to add some atmosphere. It
took several months before all the conditions were met.
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 1/10-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
This beach is in Point Reyes National Seashore and can only be reached during an extremely low tide. These conditions expose normally
submerged creatures for about 1 hour. Even then, the water in this pool became a whirlpool with every wave and I had to raise the camera and
tripod above my head each time. I wanted to show the strong surge of water just as it enters the quiet pool where the seaweed was momentarily
floating undisturbed. I used F22 to show the sandy bottom and rocks as sharp as possible. A 1/10 second exposure was just long enough to
show movement in the water. Sometimes a lot of planning is required if you wish to make an unusual photograph. In this case, I planned to
come out to this beach during an extra low tide near sunset. And I wanted to see some light fog and mist in the air to add some atmosphere. It
took several months before all the conditions were met.
Point Reyes North Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 1/13 second @F18 with ND grad 0.6
Story:
This beach south of McClures Beach and north of Kehoe Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore can only be reached during an extremely
low tide. That is when interesting features such as those in the foreground are exposed. The sea was quite violent despite the low tide. An hour
later this beach was completely inaccessible but I was back on the main part of the beach by then! It would be quite dangerous to get stuck in
this place. The cliffs are steep and crumbly and the surf gets huge here.
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 1/13 second @F18 with ND grad 0.6
Story:
This beach south of McClures Beach and north of Kehoe Beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore can only be reached during an extremely
low tide. That is when interesting features such as those in the foreground are exposed. The sea was quite violent despite the low tide. An hour
later this beach was completely inaccessible but I was back on the main part of the beach by then! It would be quite dangerous to get stuck in
this place. The cliffs are steep and crumbly and the surf gets huge here.
Starfish Cliffs Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 1/8 second @F18 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
This photo was taken in a cave that can only be reached during an extremely low tide. Normally the rock and starfish are covered in water even
during a normal low tide. I positioned the camera so that there is a hint of reflection in the little pool to the right of the rock.
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 1/8 second @F18 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
This photo was taken in a cave that can only be reached during an extremely low tide. Normally the rock and starfish are covered in water even
during a normal low tide. I positioned the camera so that there is a hint of reflection in the little pool to the right of the rock.
Starfish Point Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 1/8 second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
An extremely low tide exposed these starfish and other sea creatures for a brief time on this beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Here, I
made my exposure just as the water was wrapping around the rock. I made sure that the top of the foreground rock did not break the line fored
by the beach in the background.
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 1/8 second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
An extremely low tide exposed these starfish and other sea creatures for a brief time on this beach in the Point Reyes National Seashore. Here, I
made my exposure just as the water was wrapping around the rock. I made sure that the top of the foreground rock did not break the line fored
by the beach in the background.
Point Reyes Reflections Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 0.4 second exposure @F14 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
Kehoe Beach has numerous tide pools during a very low tide. And it also has some nice flat sand that is perfect for reflecting the red cliffs at
sunset. I have been here many times even at low tide and not seen it like this. And even on this day, it was only like this for a few minutes.
Location: Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County, California
Details: 0.4 second exposure @F14 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
Kehoe Beach has numerous tide pools during a very low tide. And it also has some nice flat sand that is perfect for reflecting the red cliffs at
sunset. I have been here many times even at low tide and not seen it like this. And even on this day, it was only like this for a few minutes.
