Big Sur Coastline at the Rocky Creek Bridge. Big Sur, California. January 2, 2010. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
Black and white photograph of winter surf and rugged cliffs and rocks along California’s Big Sur coastline at the Rocky Creek Bridge.
I have photographed this scene before, so it was on my list of places to check out as I drove down the Big Sur coast on the second day of the new year. When I arrived I found very different lighting from that in the linked photograph – that one was shot in the morning with back-light and heavier mist. On this afternoon the surf was big (but not huge) and some mist was being thrown up by the waves, but the late afternoon light more clearly illuminated the rocks and the bridge. I also found a slightly better spot for seeing the natural arch in the foreground rocks. The only difficulty was that a herd of cattle was grazing on the top of the bluff right in front of this scene, and I had to wait for them to move before I could shoot – they were obstructing the arch!
I first thought this would be a color photograph, but the more I worked on it the more I liked the monochrome rendition. To me it seems to take the focus away from the colors and force it more towards the abstract and overlapping forms of the rocks, surf, bridge, and hill beyond.
This photograph is not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.
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keywords: big, sur, coast, coastline, winter, season, seascape, pacific, ocean, california, usa, sea, water, surf, wave, stock, rocky, creek, bridge, rugged, rock, bluff, cliff, cave, tunnel, arch, natural, road, highway, one, haze, mist, spray, fog, afternoon, light, crashing, landscape, nature, hill, mountain, black and white, monochrome
Yes, it does take many trips to get familiar with this place, and there is so much more, especially past the Big Sur point where most people don’t make it. It may take a life time to really explore that coast line.
Thanks, Ivan. That means a lot to me coming from someone with your photographic sensitivity and experience with Big Sur. This photograph is perhaps the result of several years of becoming familiar with this scene and the conditions that can make it special. I also prefer the black and white version of this one – and I think the print supports that preference.
Dan
One of my favorite Big Sur images from you Dan. Terrific framing.
B&W works better for me. I think it accentuates the range of tones better.
Rajan:
Interesting issue about color versus black and white. I often carefully consider this question – sometimes the best choice seems clear to me, while other times it is harder to decide. Sometimes I end up liking both equally!
Here is a color version of this scene:
I think it works, but here are some reason that I’m pretty sure I prefer the black and white. Let me share my thinking about it as of this point in time.
I’m not totally thrilled with the color palette of the original version. While the atmosphere full of mist and haze was truly amazing, the color of the light at this moment was not quite ideal. While I love the light coming across those rocks the color of the light seems a little more bluish than I would like. In addition, the color content of this scene isn’t quite what makes it work – and someone, somewhere once suggested sticking with BW unless there is something about the color that really makes the image. And in this scene, at least for me, it is more about the conjunctions and relationships between almost abstract masses and shapes than about color.
But, who knows? I may change my mind! :-)
Take care,
Dan
When I first studied this photo, my reaction was, why didn’t he post this in colour? Then I read your write-up. I still think the colour version will better convey the atmospherics.