#496 Surf

Great image. You caught the wave a the peak of its brake. The color and comp are just right.

Robert,

Exact reason I would like to visit this rugged coast exposed to the potent swells from the Northern Pacific and the Gulf of Alaska. Down here in Southern California, our Channel islands sometimes act as natural barriers to the winter swells. Very dramatic, powerful and of course extreme. I know there's a ton of salt spray in the air, but my only small nits would be the dark rocks on the right and the colored distractions on the rocks to the right of the spray blast. I'd be tempted to clone them out, are those people in rain slickers? To me that's a little too close if they are. All in all this is a great image that illustrates the brute force of the ocean. Nicely done. By the way care to reveal the location?

Paul

You definitely caught the raw power and energy of the sea in this Robert. Great shot.

Gary.

Thanks for your interest Paul. Yes, there are people in this shot. I considereed cloning out one bad spot but it turned out to be somebody's head! I will give this some thought. I refer to this place as the greatest show on Earth. It is Shore Acres State Park. I don't know of anywhere else where you can safely get so close to this much raw power. I know of no fatalities on the cliff tops, but people have perished nearby. Expensive cameras have perished as well. When you need a slicker, so does your camera. Salt water has more leverage at camera body crevices than fresh. I am sure the Channel Islands produce some unique conditions. Other locations on the California Coast can be spectacular for waves.

Thanks for the info Robert,

Yes under certain winter swells our local Palos Verdes Peninsula explodes with fury. I'm inspired to post one my better images by this. I eagerly await the NW Swell.

Paul

Spectacular! Wonderful wave actio, exposure and comp.
I don't think the p[eople add anytghing (so small you can't really tell they are people) so I'd vote for cloning them out.
Sandy

That's one tremendous splash. Excellent job on the capture and comp.

You've captured such incredible power here. I love it. I don't think the people add anything to the image - but they do grab the eye. Because they are hard to identify, they are pretty distracting. I'd consider cloning them out as others suggested. I also like the subtle texture in the clouds. Beautiful shot!