A big offshore blow
25 knot offshore winds during a two week high pressure weather system in California
25 knot offshore winds during a two week high pressure weather system in California
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Dec, 2017Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This shot was taken north of Bodega Bay, California. I had been sea kayak surfing with friends the day before, and the waves and offshore winds were picking up enough to indicate the really good blow forecast for the next day. So, I camped nearby and got up early to go catch the spectacle.Time
Shot an hour after sunrise in December, the sun was low enough to really light up the face of the waves. Winter can be easier for photography because getting pink or blue hour (dawn or dusk) shots doesn't really cut into my sleep! I might have taken the shot earlier but used a little time moving for better composition, yet staying safe on the cliffs.Lighting
The strong, low angle light in this shot is pretty crucial, as it brings out the detail and power of the foreground wave faces, and highlights the impressive spray blowing up and away behind each swell. The low angle light also brings out texture lines in the foreground, emphasizing opposing direction of wind and waves, as well as providing a nice compositional base.Equipment
Shot with a Nikon D7500 and Nikon 80-400mm lens at a full frame equivalent of 345mm, f/9, 1/1000sec. I was using a tripod, but left the ball head loose enough that I could change composition in real time depending on action.Inspiration
Any time the weather picks up, there's likely to be a show. Big waves and an opposing big offshore wind may be common in Hawaii, but not so much in California. The power and expanse in this scene was just fantastic. I've lived near the California coast my whole life, so heading over for a full photo day is almost sure to be rewarding, whatever the particular mood that day has to offer.Editing
On the one hand, post processing was easier, again because of the strong, low angle light. It left the background horizon dark, and nicely lit up the white from breaking waves, both on the wave faces and the trailing spray arcs. I always shoot raw, and brought out the existing whites, and enhanced clarity in the foreground texture areas.In my camera bag
I ended up going the Nikon path when I got into DSLRs seven years ago. My gear is oriented toward nature shooting, now including a D850 and D7500. I've always loved the Nikon AFS 80-400mm; it's expensive but excellent quality and versatility. For wide angle, I have a Tamron 15-30 f/2.8, chosen partly because of it's outstanding low chroma for night/astro photography. And in the middle I carry the underdog Nikon AFS 24-85mm. It's my go-to, light-weight and always sharp and simple; often when I click software to correct its reputed "problems" of vignetting and distortion, I click back, preferring the original! I almost always carry a carbon tripod, and a few filters (ND and CP). Truth be told, I'm also into the drama and creativity of infrared, so sometimes I'll bring along an IR converted D750 instead of the long-reaching D7500.Feedback
The Pacific Coast, from Monterey northward offers so many stunning seascapes. (It's good south too, but often terrain or distance from roads is not as easy.) Getting a shot like this requires watching weather and swell forecasts, or just getting lucky. I'd recommend the latter choice -- luck -- because the coast offers so many scenes and moods, from quiet and peaceful (such as fog), to serene sunsets, to powerful wind or waves such as this one. Just go, with an open mind for whatever comes together, and be able to take the time and priority for the opportunities that develop.
