I have been to Big sure few times but never serious photographically. But this time I will have 3 whole days there. I need advice for: lodging---no luxury, location is important--- and location for sunrise and sunset, big splashes shooting.
When you go is a significant factor as conditions vary throughout the year. Where you stay really depends on which part you want to focus on. Monterey/Carmel is a good base from the north. The small town of Big Sur itself has both camping and hotels. You could do the first night in Carmel then the next couple in Big Sur. Use google for prices/places.
Ironically, even though I shoot there a lot, I probably can't help you a lot with the specific planning details. I am close enough to drive down there for the day to shoot, so I rarely stay within the Big Sur area overnight. When I do a multi day trip, I often stay at one end or the other of the area, either Monterey or some of the smaller areas south of Big Sur.
As far as photography locations, again I probably can't give you a ton of specifics. If you like icons, there's McWay Falls, but there is so much all up and down Big Sur that you can really just wander about and look for subjects - which can be more fun in many ways, anyway.
Sunrises are a tough thing along this part of the coast since the mountains above the shore are often high enough to block the early morning light, so you often either end up shooting out to sea with the sun behind you and behind the mountains, or you end up shooting up or down the coast, hopefully with some interesting clouds/sky in the direction you point. The "sun above the mountains" business can lead to some interesting shooting just a bit later in the morning, especially when you locate some good rocks and/or hills to your south and make use of the potential backlit haze.
Sunsets are pretty easy as long as the weather cooperates. Again, there are so many, many places from which you could shoot that I'll mostly leave you to your own devices. Looking for offshore islands and rocks can be good, or shooting from the inland end of some of the bays can work well.
Sorry for the vagueness... but you'll have plenty to find and see and shoot, I'm sure.
Yes, as Dan said you will really need to explore. Target some key locations and head there during golden hour. There is so much to see you could literally spend all three days exporing one area like Garrapta (below). Unlike Dan I have found sunrise to be one of my favorite times to shoot, especially during transition light. If you are gung ho enough and the skies are clear you can combine night photography with sunrise:
Derek, I sure adnmire your pics, specially the night shot! The sky is clear in winter as i understand. So what time of the night and of the year did you take that pic/? That is impressive. Did you print it big?
Thanks
bob
gdanmitchell wrote:
Ironically, even though I shoot there a lot, I probably can't help you a lot with the specific planning details. I am close enough to drive down there for the day to shoot, so I rarely stay within the Big Sur area overnight. When I do a multi day trip, I often stay at one end or the other of the area, either Monterey or some of the smaller areas south of Big Sur.
As far as photography locations, again I probably can't give you a ton of specifics. If you like icons, there's McWay Falls, but there is so much all up and down Big Sur that you can really just wander about and look for subjects - which can be more fun in many ways, anyway.
Sunrises are a tough thing along this part of the coast since the mountains above the shore are often high enough to block the early morning light, so you often either end up shooting out to sea with the sun behind you and behind the mountains, or you end up shooting up or down the coast, hopefully with some interesting clouds/sky in the direction you point. The "sun above the mountains" business can lead to some interesting shooting just a bit later in the morning, especially when you locate some good rocks and/or hills to your south and make use of the potential backlit haze.
Sunsets are pretty easy as long as the weather cooperates. Again, there are so many, many places from which you could shoot that I'll mostly leave you to your own devices. Looking for offshore islands and rocks can be good, or shooting from the inland end of some of the bays can work well.
Sorry for the vagueness... but you'll have plenty to find and see and shoot, I'm sure.
Dan...Show more →
Thanks Dan,
Those are good info.
i 'll do some more digging. Some year ago, I spend few nights at the Ventana, "only' $300/night. But it was worth it. IO had companion. I thought it was expensive. I just check it again. Now $620/night and not even available for the date I wanted. Beside I will be travelling alone , so that would be a waste.
i will probably spend my nights in Monterey and drive the Big Sur early morning. not a big deal.
nugeny wrote:
Derek, I sure adnmire your pics, specially the night shot! The sky is clear in winter as i understand. So what time of the night and of the year did you take that pic/? That is impressive. Did you print it big?
Thanks
bob
Big Sur under pitch black skies before sunrise. This was a composite of two images. The first was 1 hour before sunrise - 30 secs, f4, ISO 2500. The second 45 minutes later - 30 secs, f4.5, ISO 100, 5DII, 17-40L.
if you don't mind me asking, derek, do you remember which gate these two morning garrapata shots were taken from? they are beautiful shots and the layout of the rocks seems to work well with the winter sunrise high tides.
I don't know the number, never look at 'em. But its at the north end which is probably one of my favorite parts.
I always give a word of caution when I recommend Garrapata, especially at night or near dark. The waves move fast through here. So if you are unfamiliar with the area use extreme care when getting in close as in these shots. It is easy to get injured as the waves move faster than you might think, especially in the Winter months with larger swells. If you want big splashed they can be found, but not without risk, slippery rocks, cliffs, etc... Translation = danger, know your limits.
thanks for the caution, derek. i spent some thirty years surfing the cali coast & your warnings are well heeded. check this one out for size (mcway cove closed out by 20' waves exploding 100' in the air!!):
D. von Briesen wrote:
thanks for the caution, derek. i spent some thirty years surfing the cali coast & your warnings are well heeded. check this one out for size (mcway cove closed out by 20' waves exploding 100' in the air!!):
Wow, that is an incredible sequence portraying very well the raw power of Winter time along the Big Sur coast! Winter is my favorite season here.
I think we both came from similar backgrounds surfing the CA coast for many years. I didn't really even start photographing nature until after my first child was born and moving to CO. Before that I only took mental images while traveling and surfing extensively in CA, Mexico, Hawaii and Tahiti. I've had a great appreciation for nature all my life and only wish I had taken more pictures back then.
