Sea Cave Sunset - Dana Point

Tonights sunset was one that I had been waiting patiently for several years to get just right. And I still think it could have been done better hehe.

The challenge? This particular sea cave near Dana Point has very limited land access and usually can only be accessed during a negative tide (where the ocean is actually far enough down) that you can physically walk across the challenging headland path to reach this cave.
Normally, you cannot reach this area because the seas are too high to reach it unless you swim. Swimming+camera gear = B A D

So, for only a few times every winter, during full moons or new moons, does the ocean line up where you can get to this spot at low tide in time for sunset. Well, tonight was one of those nights. Thanks for looking :)


Canon 1dsMarkIII 16-35mm f2.8L @ 16mm f16 ISO 100 15 second exposure.
Grad reverse 1.2 ND filter + Hard .9 ND filter

Bryan, well worth the wait I would say. The dark framing of the outstanding backdrop of the horizon, clouds, and sky is really wonderful. Very nice work

Great image, and your adventure to get there. I have heard of this spot from my surfer friends. Someday I'll go. Too cold now!

This is just stunning. I am in Dana Point several times a year and never knew this existed. I don't think you could have done better than this. Just gorgeous!

Awesome shot!

I live a couple miles to the south in San Clemente. All day I was watching the skies thinking to myself that it had potential for an awesome sunset. I then lost track of time at my computer and when I realized it was sunset the color was already fading.

Ive heard about these caves but never have actually been to them. Thanks for the information I just might have to check them out while we have all the extreme tides

Bryan,

A glorious image. You were blessed with gorgeous sky on apparently one of the very few times you could have captured this. Congrats for planning and going for it. You were well rewarded.

The only minor suggestion I would make would be a small crop from the bottom - but that's a matter of personal choice (and has nothing to do with your copyright, but speaking of that, it's a little bold and distracting - especially for the darkness of the image.)

Lon

Cool image. You were there at the right time, got the great sky and did a fine job of capturing it. Well done.

I would very much concur with Lon on your copyright and web address. It overwhelms the image, and no offense, looks hideous.

Gorgeous shot Bryan and great composition. It sounds like you had been planning this one for a while.

I agree about the copyright logo - just kind of big and abnoxious looking IMO. If I scroll it off screen the image looks much better. So maybe a 1/5 crop off the bottom would be nice.

Derek

Yeah, the necessary evil of watermarks. Gotta love em in the digital age Derek LOL

Thanks for the comments all. I actually still think there is much room for improvement on that view. My next goal will be to try and convey some water movement in the background, but that will be a calculated risk in timing/stupidity factor on my part. Maybe a late nite hike out would work if the tide drops after sunset. Wish me luck

Wonderful! I love the story of how you got it as much as the image itself. To me, this represents what I love about photography. The hunt.......the chase.......the planning.....and the logistics involved in getting the shot make the shot that much better. Kudos to you!

Sweet... someone else managed to take advantage of another awesome local sunset. We've had some stellar sunsets lately... almost too good to be true. I like the unique framing you chose here and the colors are great too. Glad to hear you were able to sneak out there under those minus tide conditions. One of these I'll have to check this out myself... thanks for sharing.

Bryan, I took a look at your site (good stuff) and noticed some wildflower images that look very familiar from last spring in the Lake Elsinore area. You wouldn't happen to be the guy I talked to briefly in one of those canyon faces east of the 15 FWY and just below the ridge (dirt road). I was asking about the different flower types growing all about (which I'm a neophyte). It looks like we may have already crossed paths and didn't know it.

~Eric

Eric, yup, there can be no doubt, we've most definetely crossed paths before haha! I distinctly remember only seeing one other brave soul running amok with me on that poisonous poodle dog bush infested wildflower haven above Lake Elsinore this spring. I was the big guy in the green car. Based on your galleries, there is no doubt we were there at the same time LOL!

By the way, next spring I will be most definately wearing pants instead of shorts on those wildflower chases. I got extremely infected with a gnarly rash from the purple poodle dog bush plants there! Cheers!

Superb natural frame, good planning and follow thru to get the ace shot.

Knew I still had your site bookmarked so checked out some of your work this last spring. Like #9 of the Desert Wildflowers out there on the Cottonwood bajada.