We had a pretty awesome weekend of huge surf and wild clouds here in North Bend. Probably all along the coast as well, I bet. I literally was out shooting from sunrise to sunset today. With huge storm clouds mixed in with patches of clear sky, it made for perfect conditions. (The tide was a +9.5 at about noon today with the nearly full moon.)
This is a composition I have returned to many times. I even have a few with people in the exact position as this one, but never, ever with surf this big and dramatic.
Comments? Critique?
Posted by Geoff Shapiro on December 15, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Yikes, that was quite the surf you captured Aaron! All the elements you've got in this image (the person, the heavy surf, the gulls) together create a really good whole. My favorite seems to be the gulls flying above those gigantic waves.
It looks great in b/w!
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on December 15, 2008 at 1:04 AM
Stunning winter wave action!! Great as a B&W.
Posted by Cliff Dodge on December 15, 2008 at 1:15 AM
DANG! This must have been a noisy place to be shooting! The gulls were in all the right places when this wave hit the rocks. Great Timing - Amazing Image.
Posted by Rick Lamb on December 15, 2008 at 7:17 AM
WOW!! Sweet B&W treatment of an amazing moment! That shutter speed choice is puuuuuuuuuuuuuurfect!
Now just how "at risk" were you at this spot getting this image???!!! Not to mention that person standing on the far cliff too!!!!!
Damn nice work!!
Posted by Morris McClung on December 15, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Impressive. The gulls and the person really give this scale.
Posted by Marc Dilley on December 15, 2008 at 1:18 PM
Stunning capture, Aaron. The pitch of the gulls gives this added drama, like it needs it!!
Rick, the only thing at risk here was my camera. This was taken from Shore Acres State Park, right next to the observation building. I have seen waves land where I was standing, but the wind needs to be coming more from the west to make it inland that far.
I had just been out where the man is standing, but there was so much spray, photography was nearly impossible. Add to that the fact that I got wiped out by a wave right there about a year ago, so I decided not to chance it.
What was really cool was, sometimes the waves would hit the cliffs and kinda slosh up and back down, intead of blowing up like the ones shown here. Then they would slide back down the cliff face and collide with the next incoming wave with tremendous power. It was like two freight trains smashing into each other. I just tossed my pack and camera into the bushes and stood there for a while in awe. Most of my shots from the day were ruined with water spots, but I had a blast anyway.
Posted by Rajeev Thomas on December 20, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Aaron...this looks like a beautiful painting. Great job of capturing all the action!!! Everything here counts...the waves, the birds, the human etc...beautiful work...regards, Rajeev.
Posted by Chip Phillips on December 20, 2008 at 2:24 PM
This is freaking awesome! Is that a person standing out there?
Discussion
10 repliesThis is a composition I have returned to many times. I even have a few with people in the exact position as this one, but never, ever with surf this big and dramatic.
Comments? Critique?
It looks great in b/w!
Now just how "at risk" were you at this spot getting this image???!!! Not to mention that person standing on the far cliff too!!!!!
Damn nice work!!
I had just been out where the man is standing, but there was so much spray, photography was nearly impossible. Add to that the fact that I got wiped out by a wave right there about a year ago, so I decided not to chance it.
What was really cool was, sometimes the waves would hit the cliffs and kinda slosh up and back down, intead of blowing up like the ones shown here. Then they would slide back down the cliff face and collide with the next incoming wave with tremendous power. It was like two freight trains smashing into each other. I just tossed my pack and camera into the bushes and stood there for a while in awe. Most of my shots from the day were ruined with water spots, but I had a blast anyway.