The Secret Cave of 1,000 Steps Beach
My brother Justin lives in Laguna Beach, California, so I decided to pay him a visit over the weekend. He showed me this amazing and somewhat secret cave mostly...
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My brother Justin lives in Laguna Beach, California, so I decided to pay him a visit over the weekend. He showed me this amazing and somewhat secret cave mostly known by locals just south of 1,000 steps beach in South Laguna Beach. It was quite a memorable experience just getting to the cave. I was carrying all of my camera gear in my F-Stop Loka Backpack and was wearing Chaco sandals. We got to the end of the trail on the shore where it turned into really steep and wet rocks with about a 5-foot drop off into the ocean. I slipped on the rocks trying to get down into the waist-deep ocean and fell face first into the water and rocks, totally submerging myself and my backpack full of camera gear. I scratched up my leg, foot, and both hands, but surfaced just fine. I was absolutely blown away when I opened my pack to find that all of my gear was totally dry. Thank you F-Stop Gear! As you can see, the cave was absolutely worth the tumble. Hopefully you can make out my brother Justin modeling for me in the distance on the slanted rock on the shore.
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Sep, 2015Views
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Game Of Flares Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Orange Tones Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Finding Arches In Nature Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Pastel Tones In Nature Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Golden Moment Photo Contest
Nik Software Collection
Contest Finalist in Arches In Nature Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Windows In Nature Photo Contest
Peer Award
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Absolute Masterpiece
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Behind The Lens
Location
I shot this photograph from a cave on the beach near Laguna Beach, CA. It involves some hiking along the beach as well as some waist-deep wading through ocean water on sharp rocks.Time
This was taken at sunset in the month of September right before the sun crested the horizon.Lighting
The golden light was bouncing off of the cave wall behind me, which offered a nice soft light on the walls in front of me and on the rocks at my feet. Additionally, I wanted the sunbeams to light up the waves that were cresting over the rocks on the shore, so I waited to time my photos for when that light was optimal.Equipment
Nikon D800, Nikon 14-24 f/2.8, Feisol Tournament 3442 Carbon Fiber Tripod.Inspiration
My brother Justin (shown in the photo modeling in the distance) lives in Laguna Beach and so I wanted to get a photo that captured the essence of his lifestyle there on the ocean while honoring the awesome natural light created by the cave. When he took me to the cave (and after I took a spill into the ocean with all of my camera gear), I knew immediately what photo I wanted from the location. Thankfully all of my gear survived!Editing
This is actually a blend of about 5 different photos - one for the sun (f/22), two for the cave light, and two for the different waves - all blended together by hand in PhotoShop.In my camera bag
Nikon D800 and the Nikon trinity. I also like to use the Nikon shutter cable release for my night photography.Feedback
Plan ahead and perfect your settings before the good light arrives, keeping in mind what you want your final photograph to look like. For example, I knew I wanted to weave in the various waves I saw cresting in front of me, so I captured several photos of the waves so I could pick from the best to blend in later.
