These are from a week and a half ago. I had just gotten in my new backup camera, a Nikon D600, and I wanted to give it a whirl, along with Nikons 70-300mm vr lens. The D600 I wanted to see how it would perform, and how it's files handled as I wanted to have it as a backup for my D800. The 70-300mm was a refurb I had picked up, and I wanted to use it as a lighter weight alternative to the fast but very heavy Nikon 70-200mm vr. Both performed very well. The surfer shot #3 was shot with the 70-300mm. It focused fast, and tracked well I thought.
First shot is from under the pier. Shooting underneath it is something that has eluded me for many years as I was never happy with how to compose the 3 row of pilings that the HB pier uses as opposed to many piers that just use 2 rows of pilings. I always tried to incorporate all 3 rows of pilings and I just was never happy. Finally I came up with the brilliant idea to finally just shoot two of the rows and not worry about the missing side... I think it turned out well.
Love the first one! Great wave action and the light hitting the supports is great. #3 seems kinda dangerous for the surfer. Is it a optical illusion or are the surfers hitting the waves awfully close to the supports? Seems like an accident waiting to happen.
Nice Jim! #2 wins out for me with brilliant color in the sky and sweet texture in the layers of water! I need to get down there and since it's literally down the street, soon!
Well now, Jim I'll forever be wondering what that third row of pilings looks like!
But really, the way the splash of the waves bursts symmetrically into the scene really sets it apart. I would not have thought to be under the pier in the peri-sunset time, but that little rectangle of sunset also makes this unique. Congratulations for risking the loss of a sunset while under a pier; yet still catching it in two other outstanding shots. You must have moved fast!
I really like the surfer too. Another really different sunset shot. A really successful evening, I think.
Sweet sunset pic of Catalina Jim! I also like your idea of only using two sets of columns. I've been under that pier a dozen times and couldn't figure out how to make it work.
Jim, great set of images, the 1st is really neat and I love the soft pastel light at the end to the tunnel . You figured out a beautiful comp with great light and the symmetry of the spalshing waves make an awesome FG . Regards Dean
Jim, I always knew you were a brilliant guy! Great series. That first one is my favorite. Really dramatic with the lighting on the pilings and the wave action. Wonderful layers and colors on the second. Cool freeze-action on the wave and surfer in #3 and the pier serve as a great backdrop. These remind me that I have some from HB to share as well.
Love the first one may have to try to recreate it some day.
But surfer pier sunset, could spend the rest of my life trying to recreate that and never come close, love it !
idea to finally just shoot two of the rows and not worry about the missing side... I think it turned out well.
