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Patrick Smith Photography - Santa Cruz County |
Portal to Big Sur Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, California
Details: 12-second exposure @F8 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: Flickr
Story:
Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz is a great place to watch the sunset. This is one of the few remaining arches, as the other ones have
been washed into the sea. New ones will replace them as the years go by. The tip of the Monterey Peninsula and the start of the Big Sur coast 40
miles away are shown in the middle of the arch.
In order to show this arch in the best light, I had to wait until November for the setting sun to be at the best angle to show the detail on the arch
face. I also wanted some cloud cover, which becomes more common as the 7 month summer dry season comes to a close at this time of year. I
used a long exposure to smooth the water, highlighting the arch and distant coastline. And I timed it for when the sand was at its most reflective
state at low tide.
Location: Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, California
Details: 12-second exposure @F8 with ND grad 0.9
Comments on this photo: Flickr
Story:
Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz is a great place to watch the sunset. This is one of the few remaining arches, as the other ones have
been washed into the sea. New ones will replace them as the years go by. The tip of the Monterey Peninsula and the start of the Big Sur coast 40
miles away are shown in the middle of the arch.
In order to show this arch in the best light, I had to wait until November for the setting sun to be at the best angle to show the detail on the arch
face. I also wanted some cloud cover, which becomes more common as the 7 month summer dry season comes to a close at this time of year. I
used a long exposure to smooth the water, highlighting the arch and distant coastline. And I timed it for when the sand was at its most reflective
state at low tide.
Santa Cruz County
Although this area is considered to be in Northern California, it actually sits exactly halfway between the northern-most portion of California
and the Southern Border. But the cold summer ocean temperature supports huge kelp beds under the water and foggy redwood forests in the
mountains. Inland though it is hot and dry for much of the year. Sometimes the winter ocean is warmer than during the summer! The
coastline is full of arches and incredible sandstone formations, which make for great landscape and seascape photographs. And the surf can be
huge, which also is good for photography and surfing too.
Although this area is considered to be in Northern California, it actually sits exactly halfway between the northern-most portion of California
and the Southern Border. But the cold summer ocean temperature supports huge kelp beds under the water and foggy redwood forests in the
mountains. Inland though it is hot and dry for much of the year. Sometimes the winter ocean is warmer than during the summer! The
coastline is full of arches and incredible sandstone formations, which make for great landscape and seascape photographs. And the surf can be
huge, which also is good for photography and surfing too.
The Bridge to Nowhere Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, California
Details: 3 second exposure @F18 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
This is another view of Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, California. I liked the pelicans and the light on the water and rock. Once, these
two formations were joined, until a big storm broke them apart.
Location: Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, California
Details: 3 second exposure @F18 with ND grad 0.9
Story:
This is another view of Natural Bridges State Park in Santa Cruz, California. I liked the pelicans and the light on the water and rock. Once, these
two formations were joined, until a big storm broke them apart.
Santa Cruz Surf Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, California
Details: 1.3 second exposure @F13 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This photo was taken looking north along the beach during sunset at Natural Bridges state park in Santa Cruz. This is a side view of one of the
few remaining arches. I chose a medium length exposure in order to show the movement of the water, but not too much. The tripod had to be
dug deeply into the sand in order to remain stable as the water rushed by.
Location: Natural Bridges State Park, Santa Cruz, California
Details: 1.3 second exposure @F13 with ND grad 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This photo was taken looking north along the beach during sunset at Natural Bridges state park in Santa Cruz. This is a side view of one of the
few remaining arches. I chose a medium length exposure in order to show the movement of the water, but not too much. The tripod had to be
dug deeply into the sand in order to remain stable as the water rushed by.
Rock and Sand Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Santa Cruz County, California
Details: 1 minute exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
I watched the surf wrap around this rock with some fine light in the sky. I often like to show the motion of the water, but here I decided to
emphasize the beauty of the rock and the serenity of this place.
Location: Santa Cruz County, California
Details: 1 minute exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
I watched the surf wrap around this rock with some fine light in the sky. I often like to show the motion of the water, but here I decided to
emphasize the beauty of the rock and the serenity of this place.
Kelp and Sand Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Santa Cruz County, California
Details: 1 minute exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This bunch of sea kelp on this beach just south of Ano Nuevo state park contained all of the warm light from the sky. So I waited for the right
combination of wave and cloud to come together.
Location: Santa Cruz County, California
Details: 1 minute exposure @F16 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.6
Story:
This bunch of sea kelp on this beach just south of Ano Nuevo state park contained all of the warm light from the sky. So I waited for the right
combination of wave and cloud to come together.
Under the Pier - Santa Cruz #1 Purchase Print Wallpaper: (1024x768) (1280x1024)
Location: Santa Cruz Pier, California
Details: 10 minute exposure @F22 with inverted ND grad 0.9 angled across the water
Story:
Low tide exposed lots of barnacles and sea anemones on the vertical pilings. At dusk, a light turned on which illuminated the water. It took a
while to put order to this rather chaotic scene and wait for the natural evening light to even out with the light from the pier.
Location: Santa Cruz Pier, California
Details: 10 minute exposure @F22 with inverted ND grad 0.9 angled across the water
Story:
Low tide exposed lots of barnacles and sea anemones on the vertical pilings. At dusk, a light turned on which illuminated the water. It took a
while to put order to this rather chaotic scene and wait for the natural evening light to even out with the light from the pier.
