Sunset tonight in Pacific Grove

We have had some bigger surf along with strong winds over the past week. Tonight I took the kids down to watch the sunset. Here are a couple I took as the sun as dropping:

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4005872_gsp6S#391843510_pUNgH-A-LB

http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4005872_gsp6S/5/361097905_qHer8#391771579_q8oqK-A-LB

Nice work, Derek. I like the crashing wave on the first scene, but the image is a bit too dark in the FG rocks overall. The second image is much better for overall exposure control and reveals an excellent seascape. I really like how your site allows the ability to size the images up and down for review, that's a nice feature for linked images such as these.

Thanks Paul,

Yes, exposure was a lot easier in the second image not shooting directly into the sun. And an ND grad would have helped for the sun shot, but I didn't have it with me at the time.

But I did try and lighten the foreground of the first shot a bit here:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/4005872_gsp6S/7/392370602_SJrj6#392370602_SJrj6-A-LB

I really like the flexibility that smugmug offers. I used to use zenfolio which is another good photo hosting site. But they do not allow the same degree of design freedom. Everyone has different requirements/preferences. I think I have finally found a good happy medium for what I was looking for.

The exposures are a bit dark in the water but it is some fantastic patterns and action you have.

That does look better, Derek. And, I do agree about the smugmug too it seems to be a good fit for many photographers.

Awesome shot Derek, This one has some great timing with the splash, sun and background row of waves.

I particularly like the composition, exposure and last bit of light captured in the second image linked. It looks like there are all kinds of photographic opportunities along that stretch of beach.