 |  |  |  |  |  |
Patrick Smith Photography - San Diego Area Seascapes |
Sandstone and Sky #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 1/15-second exposure @F22 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
On this morning, I was struck by how the clouds complemented the sandstone formations. So I arranged this scene and waited for a dramatic
wave to impact the shoreline. After I knew that I had captured this scene well, I went hunting for more.
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 1/15-second exposure @F22 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
On this morning, I was struck by how the clouds complemented the sandstone formations. So I arranged this scene and waited for a dramatic
wave to impact the shoreline. After I knew that I had captured this scene well, I went hunting for more.
The Seascapes the San Diego County Area
The San Diego area coastline is populated along nearly it's entire stretch, but the sandstone cliffs and bluffs along the sea are extremely beautiful
in shape, color and form. And they look different depending on tidal and lighting conditions. It is easy to exclude most buildings and even
people, which creates a sense of unspoiled nature and how it must have been here before humanity made this place home.
The San Diego area coastline is populated along nearly it's entire stretch, but the sandstone cliffs and bluffs along the sea are extremely beautiful
in shape, color and form. And they look different depending on tidal and lighting conditions. It is easy to exclude most buildings and even
people, which creates a sense of unspoiled nature and how it must have been here before humanity made this place home.
Sandstone and Sky #2 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 1/6-second @F22 with ND grad 0.75
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
Since rock and sand are such important elements in the seascape, choosing a memorable vantage point can be crucial to the creation of a good
photograph. I spotted the amazing cloud formation first, and then I looked around and found a spot where the sandstone formations lined up
with the cloud patterns. I had to run quite a way down the beach to get here just in case the alignment were to disappear. Then I waited for a
wave to complement the scene and provide definition to the sandstone formation on the right side of the frame. I have never seen anything like
this before or after, so I was quite fortunate!
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 1/6-second @F22 with ND grad 0.75
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
Since rock and sand are such important elements in the seascape, choosing a memorable vantage point can be crucial to the creation of a good
photograph. I spotted the amazing cloud formation first, and then I looked around and found a spot where the sandstone formations lined up
with the cloud patterns. I had to run quite a way down the beach to get here just in case the alignment were to disappear. Then I waited for a
wave to complement the scene and provide definition to the sandstone formation on the right side of the frame. I have never seen anything like
this before or after, so I was quite fortunate!
Point Loma Reef Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Point Loma, La Jolla, California
Details: 15-second exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This old sandstone reef is just offshore from Point Loma, near San Diego. It is a great place for tide pools, but few people visit this location. Most
beach goers seem to prefer the endless stretches of wide sandy beaches in the San Diego area. But I like the more scenic and visually interesting
spots along the coast, even if they are more difficult to reach at times.
Long exposures work well here. They can emphasize the eroded structures while lessening the distraction of the waves, which would
occasionally overwhelm the reef. The clouds also moved quite a bit during the 15 seconds of exposure, which added to the surreal look of this
scene.
Location: Point Loma, La Jolla, California
Details: 15-second exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This old sandstone reef is just offshore from Point Loma, near San Diego. It is a great place for tide pools, but few people visit this location. Most
beach goers seem to prefer the endless stretches of wide sandy beaches in the San Diego area. But I like the more scenic and visually interesting
spots along the coast, even if they are more difficult to reach at times.
Long exposures work well here. They can emphasize the eroded structures while lessening the distraction of the waves, which would
occasionally overwhelm the reef. The clouds also moved quite a bit during the 15 seconds of exposure, which added to the surreal look of this
scene.
Cove Dawn Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, California
Details: 3-minute exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.75
Story:
A long exposure before sunrise brought out the joy of first light on La Jolla Cove just after a winter storm had passed through. Other images I
made just after this show a different side of this place!
Location: La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, California
Details: 3-minute exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.75
Story:
A long exposure before sunrise brought out the joy of first light on La Jolla Cove just after a winter storm had passed through. Other images I
made just after this show a different side of this place!
La Jolla Sandstone #2 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 0.4-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
Large breakers washed over this 15-foot tall cliff on the edge of La Jolla's north shore near The Cove. I waited for the right wave in order to show
the forces at work that carved the unusual rock formations in the area. Only during high tide at sunset is this possible because this area is dry at
low tide. A low warm light allowed just enough contrast and exposure time to show the water eating at the sandstone.
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 0.4-second exposure @F22 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
Large breakers washed over this 15-foot tall cliff on the edge of La Jolla's north shore near The Cove. I waited for the right wave in order to show
the forces at work that carved the unusual rock formations in the area. Only during high tide at sunset is this possible because this area is dry at
low tide. A low warm light allowed just enough contrast and exposure time to show the water eating at the sandstone.
The Light behind the Pier Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Scripps Pier, La Jolla, California
Details: 1.3-second exposure @F22 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
Story:
The Scripps Pier in La Jolla, California is used by oceanographers to do studies on the ocean and its effects on the rest of the planet. Before making
this image, I waited for the light rays to arrange themselves between the pilings. I also waited for the waves to pull back leaving foam on the
sand. I didn’t have to wait too long because the wind was howling and the clouds were moving quickly. The sea spray and rain made the
shafts of light easily visible. The rain also added depth to the image by having the background disappear into the mist. I liked how the light
brought out the colors in the foam on the sand. Good atmosphere often produces subtle effects that you don’t see on a clear day.
Location: Scripps Pier, La Jolla, California
Details: 1.3-second exposure @F22 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine Flickr
Story:
The Scripps Pier in La Jolla, California is used by oceanographers to do studies on the ocean and its effects on the rest of the planet. Before making
this image, I waited for the light rays to arrange themselves between the pilings. I also waited for the waves to pull back leaving foam on the
sand. I didn’t have to wait too long because the wind was howling and the clouds were moving quickly. The sea spray and rain made the
shafts of light easily visible. The rain also added depth to the image by having the background disappear into the mist. I liked how the light
brought out the colors in the foam on the sand. Good atmosphere often produces subtle effects that you don’t see on a clear day.
La Jolla Falls Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 0.4-second exposure @F8 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
I got drenched several times trying to get close enough to the post-storm surf to get a good view of the flowing water. The sandstone rock
dropped off right behind me, leaving no place to run from the waves. Sometimes incoming water looks the best in a photo, but here the water
draining off the rock face looked the best. Every situation is different. The sunset was so intense that I had to desaturate this image 10% to retain
detail in the sky. Everything was bathed in reds and pinks.
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 0.4-second exposure @F8 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
I got drenched several times trying to get close enough to the post-storm surf to get a good view of the flowing water. The sandstone rock
dropped off right behind me, leaving no place to run from the waves. Sometimes incoming water looks the best in a photo, but here the water
draining off the rock face looked the best. Every situation is different. The sunset was so intense that I had to desaturate this image 10% to retain
detail in the sky. Everything was bathed in reds and pinks.
Under the Pier - Scripps #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Scripps Pier, La Jolla, California
Details: 30-second exposure @F14 with no filters
Story:
At sunrise, the first rays of light around the Scripps Pier had just touched the ocean creating this unusual effect that was enhanced by a long
exposure time. The waves were large, so I had to wait for a pullback in the water in order to show the glossy nature of the still wet sand.
Timing is everything, even on a 30 second exposure. This is not a symmetrical and straight pier, so I made sure that I was centered in between
the average lines made by the pilings and let the asymmetric elements stand out as they are. The lights on the pier can still be seen in the water
and the sunlight had just come into balance with the pier lights.
Location: Scripps Pier, La Jolla, California
Details: 30-second exposure @F14 with no filters
Story:
At sunrise, the first rays of light around the Scripps Pier had just touched the ocean creating this unusual effect that was enhanced by a long
exposure time. The waves were large, so I had to wait for a pullback in the water in order to show the glossy nature of the still wet sand.
Timing is everything, even on a 30 second exposure. This is not a symmetrical and straight pier, so I made sure that I was centered in between
the average lines made by the pilings and let the asymmetric elements stand out as they are. The lights on the pier can still be seen in the water
and the sunlight had just come into balance with the pier lights.
The Heart of La Jolla Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 30-second exposure @F14 with no filters
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
The sea can create some truly amazing structures. Here in the sandstone, a giant heart-like formation has been worked into the stone by the
relentless action of the pounding waves. This is a very wide-angle shot of the sandstone heart taken from just about 15 feet away at a wide angle
(17mm) just after sunset. I used a long exposure to smooth the water around the heart and brighten the image a bit. Only at high tide is the
heart shape evident.
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 30-second exposure @F14 with no filters
Comments on this photo: ePHOTOzine
Story:
The sea can create some truly amazing structures. Here in the sandstone, a giant heart-like formation has been worked into the stone by the
relentless action of the pounding waves. This is a very wide-angle shot of the sandstone heart taken from just about 15 feet away at a wide angle
(17mm) just after sunset. I used a long exposure to smooth the water around the heart and brighten the image a bit. Only at high tide is the
heart shape evident.
Cove Storm Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, California
Details: 0.3-second exposure @F16 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Story:
A storm brought some rapidly moving waves to La Jolla cove at sunrise. It was a morning of shooting and running! I wanted to get in close to
show the drama of the incoming surf. The sky lit up quite well and some low warm light made it to the beach. It took about 10 minutes to get
this shot right because the wave cycles were too rapid for me to get the tripod properly set up in between waves, but finally things worked out.
Soon afterwards, the light became too bright and the good light was gone for the day.
Location: La Jolla Cove, La Jolla, California
Details: 0.3-second exposure @F16 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Story:
A storm brought some rapidly moving waves to La Jolla cove at sunrise. It was a morning of shooting and running! I wanted to get in close to
show the drama of the incoming surf. The sky lit up quite well and some low warm light made it to the beach. It took about 10 minutes to get
this shot right because the wave cycles were too rapid for me to get the tripod properly set up in between waves, but finally things worked out.
Soon afterwards, the light became too bright and the good light was gone for the day.
Under the Pier - Ocean Beach #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Ocean Beach, San Diego, California
Details: 15-second exposure @F22, no filters
Story:
I like piers and when I see one, I have to go under it! The Ocean Beach Pier, just north of San Diego is very long. It splits off and goes in two
directions at the end. A low spot in the middle allows walkers to get very close to the surf during stormy periods. Often, the surf goes over the
middle section, leaving viewers at the end high and dry to watch the drama from a close distance. It's the longest concrete pier on the West Coast
measuring 1,971 feet long.
Location: Ocean Beach, San Diego, California
Details: 15-second exposure @F22, no filters
Story:
I like piers and when I see one, I have to go under it! The Ocean Beach Pier, just north of San Diego is very long. It splits off and goes in two
directions at the end. A low spot in the middle allows walkers to get very close to the surf during stormy periods. Often, the surf goes over the
middle section, leaving viewers at the end high and dry to watch the drama from a close distance. It's the longest concrete pier on the West Coast
measuring 1,971 feet long.
La Jolla Light Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Scripps Beach, La Jolla, California
Details: 1/2 second expoasure @F22 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Story:
An intense winter storm blew into the San Diego area with 30-50 mph winds and lightning. But it also brought dramatic light and large waves. I
had to shelter the camera with my body in order to get this image sharp. I will never forget being out there on this day!
Location: Scripps Beach, La Jolla, California
Details: 1/2 second expoasure @F22 with 2 ND grad 0.9's
Story:
An intense winter storm blew into the San Diego area with 30-50 mph winds and lightning. But it also brought dramatic light and large waves. I
had to shelter the camera with my body in order to get this image sharp. I will never forget being out there on this day!
Undertoe Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 1/4 second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
Large waves are constantly trying to undermine this slab of La Jolla sandstone and my tripod! The sandstone definitely outlasted my tripod! The
wide variety of sandstone formations along the La Jolla shoreline could keep a photographer busy for a very long time.
Location: La Jolla, California
Details: 1/4 second exposure @F16 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
Large waves are constantly trying to undermine this slab of La Jolla sandstone and my tripod! The sandstone definitely outlasted my tripod! The
wide variety of sandstone formations along the La Jolla shoreline could keep a photographer busy for a very long time.
