Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Ocean & Coast

Big Sur Coast, Winter Light

July 11, 2014 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

Rugged Big Sur coastal mountains in winter light recede into the distance

The entire Big Sur coast below Monterey, California is full of spectacular land- and seascapes, as the western edge of the continent meets the Pacific Ocean. Often as I drive the Pacific Coast Highway though this region I wonder at the improbability of the existence of the road along its length. (In fact, it is a challenge to keep it open, as there are frequent slides during winter months.)

While the region is almost entirely spectacular, things seem to become a degree wilder and bigger once I pass the inland town of Big Sur and head back out to the coast on the southward drive. Here in many places the road alternates between the edges of high ridges that drop precipitously into the sea and sections that follow along the very edge of the water. (I tend to prefer traveling south along this road, as the light is more likely to be the sort that I look for.) At this particular location, the nearby cliffs plunge into the ocean at an especially steep angle and the curve of the coastline provides extremely long views.

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Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Ocean & Coast

Point Sur, Winter

July 10, 2014 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

Winter surf along the Pacific Ocean coastline at Point Sur

This is a companion to a photograph of this scene that I posted earlier. The primary difference here is the vertical composition. I’m still thinking about which I prefer. Each has its attractions. The horizontal (or “landscape”) orientation shows more of the “point” itself where the lighthouse is located and more of the ocean off the beach. On the other hand, this version seems to me to bring more attention to the water and the curve of the waves leading toward the point and the horizon.

Point Sur is a wild place, often with strong winds and big surf coming straight on towards the beach, which faces north or northwest. The point is connected to the main land by a low, sandy peninsula, and it is easy to imagine it being overwhelmed by the sea, perhaps during a tsunami. I have read that the lighthouse was originally a very isolated place when it was first constructed in the late 1800s, with the lighthouse keepers and their families largely cut off for months at a time, to the point that they grew their own crops. Of course, today it is easy to forget that relatively recent history, since thousands of visitors now pass by daily along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Northern California

Wetlands Fog, Dawn

July 9, 2014 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

Reflected in a shallow pond, the winter sun rises through morning fog over San Joaquin Valley wetlands

I’m going to take a break from the series of black and white seascapes that I have posted recently and which will soon continue, and today I’m posting a more colorful photograph from this past winter. The scene is at sunrise in the San Joaquin Valley of California back on a mid-February day when we had traveled there to photograph migratory birds. At least that was my excuse. The truth is more complex — I do love photographing the geese, cranes, herons, egrets, pelicans and more, but I also love photographing the flat landscape of this valley, especially in the beautiful, misty atmosphere of winter.

We had arrived here before dawn in near darkness, and a thick ground fog was blocking the view. As the dawn came and lightened the sky above, as is often the case in the San Joaquin, we could see the high clouds through the fog, and the fog soon began to thin and reveal the sun rising through higher clouds to the east above the Sierra Nevada. I found a spot along the west edge of this marsh where I could photograph back across its reflecting surface and straight into the morning’s first light.

Reader Questions, Technique

Reader Question: Photographing in the Rain

July 8, 2014 G Dan Mitchell Leave a comment

My friend Ernie writes:

I’m not sure if you ever covered this – what rain protection do you use for your cameras?

I don’t think I have written specifically about that, Ernie, so here goes.

Evening Shower, Sierra Pond — Raindrops from a late afternoon shower mark the surface of a small Sierra Nevada pond reflecting the sky

Before I get too deeply into my personal experience and preferences, I should remind readers that modern digital cameras are full of electronics that are sensitive to moisture. I’ve heard stories of people running into camera problems — including some very serious problems — after what seemed like minimal exposure to sprinkles or light mist. You should refer to your camera’s manual to find out what the manufacturer tells you about its resistance to water. While I’m sometimes willing to take chances with my own gear, based on my judgment about the importance of the shot and my ability to keep the gear dry enough, you should be careful since you could well encounter problems if you do what I do. While I’m going to share some of my personal experiences and approaches to shooting where water is a concern, I do not recommend that you rely on my experience if it conflicts with what the manufacturer tells you about your gear.

With that out of the way, here are some ways that I deal with moisture in a variety of situations in my own photography.

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G Dan Mitchell Photography

Big Sur Coast, Winter Light

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Point Sur, Winter

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Wetlands Fog, Dawn

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Reader Question: Photographing in the Rain

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Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.

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Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.