Seacliff with Ed
Seacliff Beach, home of the cement ship USS Palo Alto was lit up on a November evening
Seacliff Beach, home of the cement ship USS Palo Alto was lit up on a November evening
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Nov, 2015Views
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Awards
Action Award
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Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Peer Award
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Superior Skill
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
A dear friend photographer posted that he was going to be shooting the sunset at Seacliff State Beach, and did anyone care to join him? Well, I did care to join him and we were treated to an incredibly long and vibrant, vivid sunset. With the pier there, home to the retired cement ship SS Palo Alto, this is a favorite shooting site for many photographers. Located on the Santa Cruz side of the Monterey Bay in California, the long beach is always a fun shoot. Sometimes there are dolphins playing in the water!Time
Taken in the fall 2015, with an earlier sunset time, we started shooting around 4pm. Possibly one of the longest and most colorful sunsets I have seen (and photographed), it just went on and on and on and on. And we just kept shooting and shooting! At one point, my friend was shooting and was so caught up in the magic and majesty of the moment, the incoming wave just snuck right up on him, and he got wet on his legs (shoes, pants etc). Don't worry, his camera was fine.Lighting
The sun setting behind the pier's pilings was causing shadows from the pilings. I loved that, and really wanted to get the reflection of the pilings which was appearing every time the waves receded in the shore break. It truly was the "Golden Hour".Equipment
I used my Canon 6d, with a Tamron 24-70mm lens. ISO 640, f5 at 1/40 second. Although I had a tripod with me, I am not sure I used it for this image.Inspiration
Having other photographers to get out and shoot with inspires me. If my photographer friend (Ed Sweeney) had not posted that he was going out shooting, I might have completely missed this. The creative spirit does so well when a few of us get together to take pictures. Photo walks are one of the best ways I get inspired. After all, what could be more fun than doing what I love, with other photographers sharing tips, techniques, gear and laughter? Sometime we even share a meal.Editing
I used Lightroom for post processing. I don't spend a lot time in the post processing part of creating images. Really, about 5 minutes max on an image at the most. I typically check exposure and work with the levels. I looked at the contrast, and the saturation got bumped up a little. I crop as needed.In my camera bag
Well, I like at least 2 lenses, 40mm Canon and 24-70mm Tamron typically. My Canon 6D is my go to camera body (love a full frame), but I still keep my Canon Rebel T1 around as a back up body. A spare battery (hopefully it is charged up) and the charger for the battery. A cleaning cloth always.Feedback
Piers and wharves are excellent locations to take pictures. With the lines of the pilings supporting the platform on top (where you walk or drive), shadows and reflections in the water are all over. Don't be afraid to get low to the sand, to draw the lines towards you. And say "yes", when asked if you want to go out shooting. After all, chores will still be there when you get back, but a moment like this is too precious to miss.
