I took my son on a drive down the Big Sur coastline yesterday to test out his new birthday camera (FZ35). Anyway we had the normal June clouds/fog most of the day. Then on our way home the sun broke out. It was a glorious site at this spot where the river (not sure of the name) meets the ocean in an S-turn kind of way. Bush lupine and other flowers are in bloom now as well.
I prefer the version with the fence because it composes more of the
foreground flowers. The lighting is even, and I really like your inclusion
of the S-shaped river. Thanks for sharing, Derek.
Nice shot, Derek. That's the Little Sur River, all private property of the El Sur Ranch. Back in the "day" we used to walk down to the beach, spend all day there, even fly fish in the river at the right time of the year. When the "peace and love" generation started to over-populate the Big Sur coast they also started to over-populate this great stretch of beach, with all the mess that usually goes along with too many people not caring about the mess they make, that's when the Ranch put up all the fences and signs and started patrolling the area.
Thanks guys, this is a very special place. It's one of those scenes which evokes emotion when you witness it in person. And it seems to reflect much of what Big Sur is for to me - raw, untamed, beauty. I have seen deer walking along the river on their way to the shore. And I love the S-turn the river makes before running into the ocean.
Reno, I have dreamed about walking on that beach and composing images near the river. And now I know it's name - Little Sur. That must have been an awesome time you had with some great memories! Thanks for sharing a bit of it's history.
There might a good comp angle down below right in front of the fence. But then the river may be out of the frame. Worth exploring next time none the less.
Discussion
5 repliesHere is the larger version: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#924910048_32JRG-XL-LB
And another without the fence: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#924883731_uLLrq-XL-LB
Derek
foreground flowers. The lighting is even, and I really like your inclusion
of the S-shaped river. Thanks for sharing, Derek.
Reno was there at the right time in history, fly fishing the river would have been mighty sweet. CA is a beautiful state, but too damn many people.
Reno, I have dreamed about walking on that beach and composing images near the river. And now I know it's name - Little Sur. That must have been an awesome time you had with some great memories! Thanks for sharing a bit of it's history.
Harley, getting more flowers in the comp is a tough one because of the nature of the terrain. The closest flowers are located on a steep slope before the fence. So when you shoot down you begin to cutoff the rest of the scene. I do have a couple with a bit more foreground. But I think I like the one posted here because it seems more balanced compositionally. however you can take a look at the other to see what you think:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#924921879_4sJ6y-XL-LB
Or:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Seascapes/Big-Sur-Seascapes/10828392_2Vfh7#924932304_9UYsH-XL-LB
There might a good comp angle down below right in front of the fence. But then the river may be out of the frame. Worth exploring next time none the less.
Derek