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A Somber Cypress



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Just after a storm went through Monterey, I'd heard that the waves were big, so I went to shoot the Lone Cypress, and caught this sunset. ...
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Just after a storm went through Monterey, I'd heard that the waves were big, so I went to shoot the Lone Cypress, and caught this sunset.
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51 Comments | Report
KarlWilliamsPhotography
 
KarlWilliamsPhotography February 04, 2015
This is absolutely superb, Glenn - both lighting and processing top drawer!
raegi
 
raegi February 13, 2015
Was this in Uclulet? I think i know this scenery! Very nice shot! Thank you for sharing!!!!
jorisj
 
jorisj February 16, 2015
Bravo!
jeffswanson
 
jeffswanson February 16, 2015
Truly amazing image.
phillipmcpeek PRO+
 
phillipmcpeek February 28, 2015
Great landscape.
Robb PRO+
 
Robb February 28, 2015
1800's renaissance painting...wonderful
Arzhtatiana
 
Arzhtatiana March 01, 2015
Very nice!
IsabellaD Premium
 
IsabellaD March 08, 2015
SUPERB capture, amazing location, voted in Magical Light !!
fabs
 
fabs March 10, 2015
wow! it's like a dream! great pic! congrats
heasley
 
heasley March 11, 2015
Beautiful capture. Did you use multiple layers to get the water in motion but the birds in sharp focus? Would be interested to know how yo processed this shot.
TobinPhoto
TobinPhoto September 10, 2016
considering this was an 8/1 exposure, the bird is definitely from another exposure
Allen66
 
Allen66 March 15, 2015
Outstanding shot of this iconic spot... just a short drive from home.
showbiz
 
showbiz March 17, 2015
Wow, your shot is almost identical in post as my entry but from the right side. Love the long exposure to give the waves that cool effect.
ktouzel
 
ktouzel April 21, 2015
Beautiful capture. Love the light on the rock cliffs and subtle colours.
p_eileenbaltz Platinum
 
p_eileenbaltz May 06, 2015
Spectacular! Congratulations on your many well-deserved awards.:) Eileen
nina050
 
nina050 May 06, 2015
Absolutely stunning rendition of a scene that has been captured on camera countless times. You brought a whole new dimension to it with this photo. Congrats!!
raybilcliff
 
raybilcliff May 06, 2015
Outstanding.
DonHoekPhoto
 
DonHoekPhoto May 06, 2015
Beautiful! Congrats, well deserved.
kathymuhle PRO+
 
kathymuhle May 06, 2015
Love the muted tones the lighting and the waves - a photo to be proud of - congrats on your win!
kellycoventry
 
kellycoventry May 06, 2015
Congratulations on your win! Beautiful photo!
Thimbee
 
Thimbee May 06, 2015
Congrats on a superb image!
synergySB52 PRO+
 
synergySB52 May 06, 2015
Congratulations on your Award & Prize for Coastal Landscapes! Very much deserved.....outstanding editing!
mattvoigt
 
mattvoigt May 07, 2015
Cypress Point. I've been there many times but never saw it as beautiful as this. Wonderful shot
jayshah
 
jayshah May 07, 2015
its just wow....gr8 work
jlouie56 PRO+
 
jlouie56 May 07, 2015
Congrats on the awesome contest win, amazing shot.
SarahKeates
 
SarahKeates May 07, 2015
Stunning shot! Congrats!
generooney
 
generooney May 13, 2015
Beautiful Shot! Going to Maine and July and looking for something similar to photograph as a coastal shot!
karensommerslohre PRO+
 
karensommerslohre May 22, 2015
Great shot!
Jhunt PRO+
 
Jhunt June 02, 2015
Amazing capture. Love the composition and lighting. Congrats
snowdon PRO
 
snowdon June 02, 2015
Artistic, great work, congratulations on your Finalist Win in Best Shot competition
tobiasschorr
 
tobiasschorr June 03, 2015
Very nice HDR photo!
philnelson Ultimate
 
philnelson June 04, 2015
Great capture, color, depth of field, and compostion are perfect......
donaldbrotherston
 
donaldbrotherston June 08, 2015
Congrats on your win, great shot.
FGBerberArt
 
FGBerberArt June 23, 2015
Great capture!
RobinV
 
RobinV June 23, 2015
Congrats on being the winner, totally deserved
DutchTouch Platinum
 
DutchTouch June 24, 2015
An amazing and captivating image!
wtlphoto
 
wtlphoto June 25, 2015
Beautiful lighting and wonderful composition. Congratulations and thank you for sharing!
donaldbrotherston
 
donaldbrotherston June 27, 2015
Congrats on another win. Stunning phototure.
pegleg Platinum
 
pegleg June 29, 2015
Just a super good photo, one of the best photos i have ever seen i love it
jonahlenfestey
 
jonahlenfestey July 20, 2015
Really amazing
avinashsrivastav
 
avinashsrivastav August 17, 2015
Congratulations for winning Cliffs & Waters Photo Challenge
Rodney_Curato
 
Rodney_Curato August 19, 2015
Wow! Fantastic image!!
nandicmb
 
nandicmb August 28, 2015
Congratulations on yet another win! :)
Shreyans69
 
Shreyans69 September 16, 2015
Beautiful
bobcgnz
 
bobcgnz January 25, 2016
Stunning - Congratulations, Bob
Pamelabole PRO
 
Pamelabole March 11, 2016
Gorgeous!! And congrats on your well deserved award!!!! : )
krissyruth
 
krissyruth July 09, 2016
CLASSICALLY THE BEST:)
debsbain
 
debsbain August 24, 2016
congratulations
artbyJoel
 
artbyJoel January 24, 2017
You Are The Best !NOW I KNOW WHO WINS ALL THE CONTESTS I LOVE MONTEREY And CARMEL AREA.. I Was THERE FOR 16 WEEKS IN 1962 FOR BASIC TRAINING AT FORT ORD I WENT TO MONTEREY EVERY CHANCE I COULD . NOW I HAVE TO GO BACK THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES JOEL .
vidhinangia
 
vidhinangia March 19, 2017
amazing shot!
Alwolfe Platinum
 
Alwolfe September 10, 2017
Beautiful capture!
mcampi Platinum
 
mcampi January 21, 2018
I have seen hundreds of shot from this angle and by far this is the very best I have ever seen.. Congrats on all the awards you deserve everyone plus many more.
See all

Behind The Lens

Location

This is the famed Lone Cypress at Pebble Beach. Since I lived in Monterey at the time, I was ready available to go there on a moment's notice. It was the $9 entry fee that kept me from going regularly.

Time

Since the tree is on the west coast, I knew that the best time of day to photograph her, was at sunset. I had tried to photograph her at different times of the day, but she really shines at sunset.

Lighting

The tail end of a storm had just blown through and I was hoping to catch a spectacular sunset with electric reds, oranges, purples, etc., but, typical of the area, the overcast sky dominated the scene. A slight glow of the warm sun managed to trickle it's way in to warm the scene. The dichotomy of the lonesome tree with the dreary overcast sky and the warm glow from the sun gave this image an eerie feel. It was as if the tree had weathered the great storm, and proudly stands, triumphantly on its rocky pedestal.

Equipment

I used a Nikon D800 with a Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 lens, and a Hakuba carbon fiber tripod.

Inspiration

A storm had blown through the area and as the tail end passed, I thought the potential for a good shot of the Lone Cypress was possible. The clincher was when I had heard that the waves were high, and that would help make this image more powerful. I grabbed my gear, payed the $9 entry fee, and dashed to the location, not knowing what to expect. The weather in Monterey changes from day to day, sometimes, even hour to hour. One minute it's sunny, the next minute it's foggy.

Editing

The light was perfect for the scene when the sun was setting, but the light was too bright for the white water, so I took the exposure of the water about 20 minutes after the rest of the scene. The darker light gave me the advantage of slowing the shutter speed to the point that the water would have some movement. I paired the two together in Photoshop. I felt that the image was too devoid of life, so I added two seagulls in photoshop. I used a couple of filters in Nik Color Efex Pro 4 to get the moody feel.

In my camera bag

I usually take two Nikon D800's, one to remain on the tripod for the duration of the shoot to catch the changing light, and the other body to catch any grab shots I see. My main "go to" lens is the Nikon 24-70 f/2.8. It's a fantastic lens with great versatility. I also have the Nikon 14-24 f/2.8 for ultrawide perspectives, and the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 for getting in tight, and isolating subjects from the background. I usually carry a Nikon SB800 flash in case I need some auxiliary light. I also carry extension tubes and a focus rail in case I see any macro possibilities.

Feedback

Concentrate on the shot at hand. Trying to get too many different images in one shoot will dilute the impact of all the images. It is far better to come out with one great image, than 100 mediocre images.

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