Surf #1. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.
Abstract patterns of winter surf, Big Sur coast, California.
This photograph comes from a recent visit to the Monterey Peninsula and upper Big Sur Coast during a brief break in the recent string of atmospheric river storms in California. On one hand, it was quite something to see the aftermath of several weeks of heavy rains: landslides, fallen trees, closed parks, closed highway lanes, flooding, and more. But between two storms the light was a bit challenging — which had the virtue of persuading me to try a few things different than what I typically do.
This is one of the photographs in that category. I had been photographing along a section of the coast with high cliffs above the ocean (which, as Big Sur aficionados know, could be almost anywhere…) and dealing with lighting challenges and atmosphere thick with moisture. I looked down and was taken by the power of the waves. The area in the photograph was just at the break, so this power was expressed as constant motion as storm swells rolled in and some foam from nearby breaking waves streaked the water.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.
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