Image above: McWay Falls, Julia Pfeiffer Burns Park
I've been to a lot of beach destinations, but usually for the weather (haven't spent much time pondering the beauty of the coast itself). That all changed last week when I visited Big Sur.
I'm posting a few images below and would love your critiques, keeping the following assumptions in mind:
1. Yes - some of my shots (like McWay Falls) are quite ordinary and will not likely generate any artistic enthusiasm by anyone having seen that perspective a million times. That said, this was my first time seeing some of these beautiful places, and sometimes the image that has been replicated so many times before is the one which will look best hanging in my office as a reminder of a trip. I also had to work during the day and was limited to locations I could scout on the Internet and during the early evening before sunset. That said, I'm very much looking forward to coming back when I have more time to explore.
2. This was my very first attempt at landscape photography near the ocean. I'm typically capturing something like fall colors in the Rockies with aspen leaves changing over the course of several days. In Big Sur, the rise and fall of the tide combined with coastal winds I'm not used to, more troubles with getting debris on my sensor than ever before encountered, etc. made for a very fun yet somewhat humbling time. In other words, I'm used to photographing trees at 10,000 feet, not waves and sand 100 feet! It didn't help that despite growing up farming and having been an Eagle Scout, I still got poison oak :)
3. These images are basically straight out of the camera. I've got a full schedule this summer and likely won't be able to give them the processing they deserve for several months, but couldn't hold back my excitement and appreciation until then. The composition critique value is obviously still valid.
What a great opportunity for you. I've always wanted to shoot McWay Falls and Pfeiffer Beach but have not had a chance. The last time I was in the area was over 10 years ago and I wasn't aware of either place
I love the light painting of the last image! The way the light beams fork away from the arch is just masterful.
The beach on the first image looks like paradise to me. Can you actually get down there?
Discussion
9 repliesI've been to a lot of beach destinations, but usually for the weather (haven't spent much time pondering the beauty of the coast itself). That all changed last week when I visited Big Sur.
I'm posting a few images below and would love your critiques, keeping the following assumptions in mind:
1. Yes - some of my shots (like McWay Falls) are quite ordinary and will not likely generate any artistic enthusiasm by anyone having seen that perspective a million times. That said, this was my first time seeing some of these beautiful places, and sometimes the image that has been replicated so many times before is the one which will look best hanging in my office as a reminder of a trip. I also had to work during the day and was limited to locations I could scout on the Internet and during the early evening before sunset. That said, I'm very much looking forward to coming back when I have more time to explore.
2. This was my very first attempt at landscape photography near the ocean. I'm typically capturing something like fall colors in the Rockies with aspen leaves changing over the course of several days. In Big Sur, the rise and fall of the tide combined with coastal winds I'm not used to, more troubles with getting debris on my sensor than ever before encountered, etc. made for a very fun yet somewhat humbling time. In other words, I'm used to photographing trees at 10,000 feet, not waves and sand 100 feet! It didn't help that despite growing up farming and having been an Eagle Scout, I still got poison oak :)
3. These images are basically straight out of the camera. I've got a full schedule this summer and likely won't be able to give them the processing they deserve for several months, but couldn't hold back my excitement and appreciation until then. The composition critique value is obviously still valid.
Thanks in advance!
The beach on the first image looks like paradise to me. Can you actually get down there?