This was a test shot, thus the water spots and blown highlights, but I thought I'd post it as reminder to be careful out there.
Near the end of April I spent a night in Pacific City, and went out on Cape Kiwanda hoping for a colorful sunset. The channel and bowl that waves will crash into and up out of on the southwest edge was pretty active, as you can see from the photo. To be safe I chose this composition, since it was well to the side from where the waves were landing, and left my backpack up on the ridge where it would stay nice and dry.
I was half on the ground trying to get the composition just right when one of those proverbial sneaker waves erupted out. I was far enough to the side that the wave didn't land on me, but it went high enough above the face that it dropped a huge amount of water at the top. Once above the face of the bowl, guess where the water runs? Exactly, to the north, sweeping past both me and my bag. I grabbed the tripod and camera and held it above my head so they stayed safe, but my entire left side got soaked. I then looked up to see my backpack being swept toward the cliff to the north. I jumped up to chase it, but fortunately the water dropped it before it went over the edge.
Amazingly, other than a lot of clean up I only had one lens ruined in the escapade. Regardless, I decided that I'd had enough fun for one evening and tucked my tail between my legs to sulk back to the car and dry out. This worked out okay because the marine layer took away what would have been the best color anyway. Trying to save what tatters of my dignity remained, I took this photo of a photographer working the edge of the sandstone on the way back.
Nikon D80
Nikon 12.0-24.0 mm f/4.0 at 12 mm
1/20 sec at f/16 and ISO 100
Wow close call John.
A few weeks ago at Salt Creek I was trying to get into position to shoot the incoming tide. Of course the best perspective was the most precarious, after heading for higher ground a couple of times I retreated and had to settle for a few shots, all of which got deleted.
Great capture even after the trouble and loss lens to get it. I'm glad it wasn't any worse for you. I do love the comp and exposure, thanks for posting.
Hi John. Glad the overall damage to your gear was fairly minor. Having been through a few similar situations, I definitely feel your pain.
Spending most of my life on the coast, I always felt that I had a good grasp of what was safe and acceptable when at the beach. Every once in a while though, ol' Mother Nature will feel the need to whap you upside the head, and remind you who's the boss. It really sucks losing gear, but I'll take a salty lens over the greatest penalty the ocean can deliver any day.
I know exactly how you feel. I was in Scotland and Ireland last year and slipped on some slippery grounds (it rains a lot over there) and my lens hit against a big rock. I checked the camera and lens, it seemed okay visually and everything looked like it was working. But when I got home, a lot of the pictures were only half in focus. After a closer inspection, I found the the lens was bent. So, of course, I had to get a new lens. My lesson learned here is to slow down and be careful when you're carrying a camera. It's a lot easier to lose a couple seconds than to replace camera gear!
Posted by Miles Morgan on June 17, 2010 at 12:45 AM
Yup. I almost died in that exact spot. I was down in the bowl, and the same thing happened. Had waist deep water rushing from behind me trying to drag me into the drink. Scared the poo out of me. Glad you are ok.
Discussion
11 repliesNear the end of April I spent a night in Pacific City, and went out on Cape Kiwanda hoping for a colorful sunset. The channel and bowl that waves will crash into and up out of on the southwest edge was pretty active, as you can see from the photo. To be safe I chose this composition, since it was well to the side from where the waves were landing, and left my backpack up on the ridge where it would stay nice and dry.
I was half on the ground trying to get the composition just right when one of those proverbial sneaker waves erupted out. I was far enough to the side that the wave didn't land on me, but it went high enough above the face that it dropped a huge amount of water at the top. Once above the face of the bowl, guess where the water runs? Exactly, to the north, sweeping past both me and my bag. I grabbed the tripod and camera and held it above my head so they stayed safe, but my entire left side got soaked. I then looked up to see my backpack being swept toward the cliff to the north. I jumped up to chase it, but fortunately the water dropped it before it went over the edge.
Amazingly, other than a lot of clean up I only had one lens ruined in the escapade. Regardless, I decided that I'd had enough fun for one evening and tucked my tail between my legs to sulk back to the car and dry out. This worked out okay because the marine layer took away what would have been the best color anyway. Trying to save what tatters of my dignity remained, I took this photo of a photographer working the edge of the sandstone on the way back.
Nikon D80
Nikon 12.0-24.0 mm f/4.0 at 12 mm
1/20 sec at f/16 and ISO 100
A few weeks ago at Salt Creek I was trying to get into position to shoot the incoming tide. Of course the best perspective was the most precarious, after heading for higher ground a couple of times I retreated and had to settle for a few shots, all of which got deleted.
Spending most of my life on the coast, I always felt that I had a good grasp of what was safe and acceptable when at the beach. Every once in a while though, ol' Mother Nature will feel the need to whap you upside the head, and remind you who's the boss. It really sucks losing gear, but I'll take a salty lens over the greatest penalty the ocean can deliver any day.