The Guardians

The Guardians :: OR

“We men and women are all in the same boat, upon a stormy sea. We owe to each other a terrible and tragic loyalty.” – G. K. Chesterton

These sea stacks were found along the Oregon coast on an overcast, not so sunset-y sunset.  But then, I’m a landscape photographer, and I enjoy the weather that no one else likes because it’s so darn photogenic! lol

I’m working on a new tutorial project to help supplement my teaching materials for the Members Area over at Light & Landscape.  You know….a few free videos to help you learn, my gift to you!  Can’t beat the price, right? 😉

If you want to keep informed about the upcoming tutorials as they are released, make sure to sign up for my newsletter.

 

Winds of Winter

Winds of Winter :: Massachusetts

This was one of those beautiful, chaotic moments in nature where you feel both overwhelmed and at peace with the colors, textures and the cold breath of the season.  Mother Nature is truly an artist.

This image is also a prime example of why I love clouds and sky texture so damn much. 🙂

La Jolla Essentials

La Jolla Sunset

In my opinion, one of the elements that tends to enhance a seacape is a great rocky shore.  Not to say that sand and a nice sunset aren’t spectacular on their own…but add a nice interesting rocky foreground and I’m hooked.  (Let’s blame my Connecticut upbringing here…our beaches just don’t do “drama”.)

 

Things to keep in mind while shooting on or near awesome rocks in the middle of a deep ocean though.

1) Rocks + waves = ocean spray (and not the delicious cranberry juice kind).  Make sure you have a cleaning kit handy, and be prepared to cover your lens between shots or you’ll find they turn out a bit…um…misty.  Unless you really like practicing your clone stamping skills in photoshop. haha

 

2) Rocks + water = slippery. One big wave can spell disaster.  (Funny story about that…remind me to tell you later! haha)

 

3) Rocks + a vast, flat ocean = no wind breaks. Dress accordingly! If the weather is at all, possibly, maybe going to be uncomfortable, bring gloves and a weather/water resistant coat. If it’s going to be windy, also be prepared to secure your tripod. Last thing you want to do is fish your expensive camera out of the ocean.  Second to last thing you want to do is suffer through a tropical storm just to find out that every shot over 1/60 is blurry courtesy of the hurricane strength winds you endured to snag that beautiful sunset.

 

In this particular instance, we were perfectly safe (but very wet and chilly) – however, we all know as photogs we take risks.  I really did almost get swept into the ocean at one point, mostly due to my own stupidity, and I don’t advocate that.  Keep your common sense close and do your best to prepare for most scenarios you’re likely to encounter.  Safety first…no photo is worth your life.

Storm Clouds on the Lake

I think one of the most common mistakes a new landscape photographer makes is under-estimating the importance of a great sky.  Perfectly clear, cloudless blue sky?  Boring!  But if you are lucky enough to get the right mixture of light, colors and texture, magic happens.

Now, most people would have probably been anxious to hear they were flying into Chicago right as the aftermath of Storm Isaac settled over Illinois.  Those people are clearly not me. haha  I mean, don’t get me wrong…I obviously wanted a safe flight, landing, etc…but the potential in those clouds was exciting!

This is an image taken in one of the harbors of Chicago.  I know it looks a bit scary, but don’t worry…not a drop of rain.  The camera stayed dry! 🙂

Storm Row