Foggy Morning In Big Sur CA Two
Captured on a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur and beyond in December, 2016. I loved how the foggy mist was just hugging the shoreline....
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Captured on a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur and beyond in December, 2016. I loved how the foggy mist was just hugging the shoreline.
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Jan, 2017Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
I shot this image on one of my many trips down the Pacific Coast Highway, traveling South from Monterey, California. It was a chilly December, 2016 morning, a very typical morning for the time and location. The fog was thick in some spots as I headed South toward Point Sur; I pulled off the road to get this shot as I was drawn to the layers of rock formations with the fog just hugging them and gently allowing them to peak through the mist. The sky still had a soft pastel tone which was reflected in the water, adding to the total experience. The large rock formation in the distance is Point Sur, the home of Point Sur Lighthouse. Point Sur Lightstation is a lighthouse at Point Sur, California, 135 miles south of San Francisco, on the 361-foot-tall rock at the head of the point. It was established in 1889 and is part of Point Sur State Historic Park. The light house is 40 feet tall and 270 feet above sea level.Time
I shot this image mid-morning, by then the fog layer usually is beginning to minimize just a bit. I frequented this area as it always had almost a spiritual feeling to me and I always left feeling refreshed, uplifted and ready for whatever the day would bring. The Big Sur, California area is a superb place to start any day!Lighting
I had to make no adjustment to my lighting, as I was using a polarizing filter which compensated for the brightness as the sunlight filtered through the marine layer of fog. This is a perfect way to shoot fog as it adds a hint of mystery and dreaminess to an image. I dare say "a photographer's dream" shot.Equipment
As an adult I was always drawn to the south coast and made it a monthly plan to drive down to the area with my camera and gear intact. At the time that I shot this photograph, I was using a Canon EOS M3, a mirrorless camera, which I found to be very adequate at 24.2 Megapixels; (Aperture 80/10?ISO 100?Shutter 1/2000?Focal Length 181/1). My lens was the standard 55/200 Telescoping lens paired with a polarizing filter and lens hood. I always use my tripod when shooting landscapes.Inspiration
One cannot be in the Point Sur area without being inspired; the sun filtering through the fog is like a beckoning, calling me to shoot. The weather along with the gorgeous landscape is also an inspiration and full of beauty at every turn.Editing
I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time, as this image appears just as it was shot. No post-processing was necessary thanks to the natural beauty which you see in the photograph.In my camera bag
At the time that I shot this photograph, I was using a Canon EOS M3, a mirrorless camera, which I found to be very adequate at 24.2 Megapixels; (Aperture 80/10?ISO 100?Shutter 1/2000?Focal Length 181/1). My lens was the standard 55/200 Telescoping lens paired with a polarizing filter and lens hood. I always use my tripod when shooting landscapes; I also have available extra batteries, chargers, lenses, filters, lens cleaning kit, model releases and a copy of The Photographers Legal Rights Card. I consider all of these to be essential when I am out in the field. I have since upgraded to the Canon EOS 6 Mark II, which is a joy to use; it is a more compact version of the EOS 90 D, but with less weight being mirrorless - still with all the bells and whistles though. My lenses are the 55/200, the 18/55 and the 15/45 all with built in image stabilizer. All three of my lenses are also interchangeable with the older Canon M3, which makes a good backup camera, should I need it. I also carry with me what I like to refer to as my "toy" camera; a small, pocket-sized shooter, but good for florals, macros etc. the Canon Elph 190 IS, another excellent back up.Feedback
My main advice I guess, is not to get in a hurry; fog moves slowly and you have plenty of time to get out your tripod (a must) and situate yourself in the right position. Take lots of shots, and don't be afraid to move around for different angles. After all, we are in the digital age of photography and it is better to shoot too many than not enough. My final word is to ENJOY what you are doing; if it becomes more like work, you will soon loose interest and someone else will end up getting "your shot".
