Two fisherman on the beach at the edge of the surf – California Pacific Ocean coast between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. The abstract shapes in this scene interested me, especially the curving shapes of the reflections on the wet areas of the beach in the foreground.
keywords: black and white, two, fisherman, fishing, pole, surf, waves, bluff, beach, sand, reflections, sea, shore, ocean, pacific, coast, california, usa, seascape, landscape, people, outdoor, activity, sports, nature, wild, stock
This is one of those landscape photographs in which appearances can be deceiving. I suppose it looks fairly calm and quiet, but getting this shot was the result of working very quickly and spontaneously with a very long lens as the subjects moved quickly through the scene. I had just gotten out of my car with a plan to observe and then photograph the seascape when I noticed the group of fisherman heading across the sand toward a rocky headland to the south.
keywords: four, fishing, fish, fishermen, surf, pacific, ocean, coast, sea, seascape, coastline, headland, waves, sand, beach, reflections, pole, sky, california, usa, scenic, travel, landscape, seascape, people, gazos, creek, big basin, state, park
Two surfers near the edge of the winter surf in central California near San Francisco. Black and white.
As I write this description a half dozen years after making the photograph it is the day of another Mavericks surf competition, and I remember distinctly the day I made the photograph and the experience of making it. The location is somewhat typical of the California Coast Highway, along with the road alternates between ascending along the edges of high coastal mountains and dropping down to small beaches where creeks and rivers enter the sea. This beach is one of those latter locations, in this case one I frequently visit when I photograph along the coast south of San Francisco.
My favorite time of year along this coast is the winter, and for a diversity of reasons. Contrary to the expectations of non-Californians, summer is not the most beautiful time on the coast. In summer the coast is frequently socked in by fog, and the clear days are so clear that there may be no clouds – a lovely thought for all but perhaps the photographers, who often wants more “interesting” conditions. In the winter the ocean can become a powerful force, with winds whipping the tops of huge waves as storms near and far stir things up. While the summer coast can seem benign, the winter coast can present us with scenes of tremendous, awe-inspiring power. But it can also be quiet and moody as it was on this day. Yes, the surf was running high (which is why the Mavericks surf competition was going on a few miles north of this spot on the day I made the photograph), but winter clouds muted the colors, the sounds of birds and water were everywhere. These two surfers walked quietly along the beach, seeming a part of this beautiful scene. (Revised description written January 24, 2014)
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist whose subjects include the Pacific coast, redwood forests, central California oak/grasslands, the Sierra Nevada, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography, and more. Blog | About | Flickr | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | 500px.com | LinkedIn | Email
Photographed on the day of the 2008 Mavericks Surf competition, but a few mile further south along the California coast, this was a day of huge winter surf.
keywords: seascape, sea, shore, california, pacific, ocean, winter, ocean, flock, birds, gulls, fly, waves, fog, cliffs, beach, surf, black and white, stock, coast, usa, travel, scenic, nature
