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This 50 foot rock on San Carpoforo beach at the south end of Big Sur really takes a beating at high tide. And this is one of my favourite beaches in California because it feels so massive.
The ridge behind the beaches here range from 3,000 feet on the top right of the frame to 5,200 feet just above the big splash to the left of the rock. The one mile drop to the ocean with a 45 degree angle, might be the largest in the world depending on how you define ocean cliffs. There are sheer drops of 3,500 feet in Hawaii and some places in New Zealand, Norway and Alaska have larger mountians a few miles from the ocean.
Regardless, this place makes one feel rather small and insignificant!
The trick to getting this shot besides shooting and running with my back against a cliff, was waiting for the ocean to calm down from a white roiling overexposed mess. The first wave in the a series is the best because the ocean colour and sand texture comes through a lot better.
1/4 second exposure @F20 with ND grads 0.9 + 0.75
| Camera: | Canon EOS 5D |
| Lens: | Canon 17-40L @18 |
| Recording media: | RAW (digital) |
| Title: | The Rock |
| Username: | 
PatrickSmith |
| Uploaded: | 7 Apr 2008 - 3:57 PM |
| Tags: | Big sur, California, General, Landscape / travel, San simeon |
| VS Mode Rating |
Unrated These stats show the percentage of wins and the rating score that your photo has achieved. You can go to the VS Mode by clicking on this icon. Signup to e2Signup to e2 to see which photo this has won or lost against in the vs mode |
| Votes: | 190 |
Comments
fantastic capture,In large vesion can almost feel the waves hitting the rocks, Chuck
Thanks for looking!
The car is behaving itself Jouko. Good thing too, as this beach is an hour away from nowhere!
Patrick
Thanks Colin and jojo!
lol.... Okay fine Mike, I kicked it out there to get a little extra foreground interest and it made the splash as it came to rest on it's flat side in the water!
Patrick
Superb capture
Really enjoyed my trip around the Big Sur a few years ago 
Trevor
beautifully composed , really love the light through the spray.. stunning.. !
Nikki !
Thanks for your comments!
I enjoy it every time Trevor!
I liked that too Nikki. I watched it happen several times before deciding to capture it.
Patrick
Thanks for stopping by.
Hey Charlotte, it's great to hear from you. And there is a bit of Cornwall in here I think!
LOL Edgar, well this beach is near two colonies of Elephant Seals with 15 foot long males making lots of noise. I suppose I could work them into a landscape and become a wildlifer! I'll use my 17-40 for wildlife!
Patrick
Haha yes, my Mum just literally arrived home, saw it and said 'that's definitely a Cornifornia shot'! It still surprises me how similar the two coastlines look sometimes! Thanks for the click and comment on mine, just left a reply over there for you.
Charlotte
It is amazing Charlotte. I have 'flown' over your area in Google Earth and it does look quite similar. Someday I hope to see it myself.
Thanks Steve.
True Nigel, it is tough to tell except for the very small seagulls on the top of the rock in the big version!
Patrick
Beautifully composed and exposed Patrick.Lovely.
Tom.
I know I say this everytime .. so here it goes again.. Stunning!!! love the timing on the shot ...
Thanks for having a look around!
True Mike, it gets really noisy here. And the cliff behind me reflects the sound right into my ear!
Patrick
Thanks Dawn Michelle and Marilyn!
It's a shame mark, but there are some nice places there. There are some awesome swamps and beaches with great water colour and features. No hills though!
Patrick
Super timming Patrick and some wonderful light on the beach, rocks and distant hills you captured. Great work.
The dynamics around the rock combined with the beauty around it make this an outstanding image!
Paul
An outstanding beachscape Patrick, you've timed this shot to perfection. The light, colours and composition are all exceptional, a real class act yet again
Well timed to capture the power of the sea and the magnificent light. JNC
Thanks for looking!
I guess it was difficult to time this because most of the time the wave would impact while the previous wave was all the way up the beach. It took about 10 minutes of trying to get some decent timing on this one.
True Mark, hoping for clouds on a holiday can create a bit of a conflict of interest when better weather is wanted!
Patrick
Hi Patrick,
That wave really looks for all the world as though it is determined to shift that rock and it will one day with a determination like that.Fantastic timing,motion,detail,textures,saturation,lighting,shading,sky,the dynamics,perspective and shapes on this one are inimitablely yours.Breathetaking!take care and stay safe,Ann
I see my Daughter beat me to it yet again
Love the contrast in textures and also between the wild waves and calm fg. Good use of the diagonal too.
I don't think you need our Caliwall clouds as you look to have some good ones over there in Cornifornia!
gill
Thanks for having a look!
I rarely do either Rob, it is a 2 hour drive from nowhere!
I think you are right Ann, the waves will win eventually!
LOL Gill, she's a fast one! But I must admit that my photography is deceptive because we only get decent clouds a few times per month in the winter and rarely in the summer. I squeeze out what I can! So I will take all the Caliwall clouds that I can get my lens on....
Thanks CB.
Patrick
Thanks for stopping by! I hope to catch up on your new uploads in the next couple of days once I finish this work thing....
Yes, Matt, I love the geology too. There is a vast timespan involved in the making of this place, and so many others. I enjoy watching the waves making more history right in front of my eyes.
Michael, in this case one grad covers the sky and one covers the sky and down tot eh bottom left corner where the wet sand is. I had a 30 degree angle on the grads.
I waited for the light to hit the cliffs Terry for about a half hour. Before and after I did this, the mountains were dark. I only got a few different ones with this light. Then it was gone!
Patrick
I'll echo your thoughts on the similarities with New Zealand, Patrick. I almost felt like I was stood back on the West Coast!
Stunning light and clarity my friend. It's something I struggled with due to the sea spray on my recent trip.
All the best
Dan
Thanks for looking! I'm glad you liked the timing of this one. And that gives me time to run away.
Yes Dan, I have LOTS of problems with sea spray and what seems like the whole ocean trying to get into my camera! It is a pain compared to regular landscapes, but worth it.
Patrick
Hi Patrick - catching up as I've been away. Well it's a long way down here - so many well deserved comments, not sure what else to add?
Your timing is impeccable as usual! I like the splash off the rock and it's reflction on the wet sand but also the light and colours on the ridge behind - excellent work again
Sarah *
Thanks for stopping by!
No problem Michael!
LOL Sarah, you probably got lost in one of those labyrinthine castles!
Patrick
Thanks Di!
Speaking of tourists Colin, are you coming out this way again? I'll make sure we meet this time!
They don't know about me yet, but they will....
Patrick
Love the light and colour detail Patrick..glad you didnt get wet...
Superb timing and a great shot..
Don
Thanks for looking!
I wish you were right Don.
I learn from everybody else Valerie so I try to return the favour!
Patrick
Quote: Speaking of tourists Colin, are you coming out this way again? I'll make sure we meet this time!
Nothing planned, Patrick but would dearly love to spend more time experiencing the west coast. My daughter starts University in September so have to dig deep to fund her for the next 3 years. Maybe after, who knows
Colin
This has a definite glow to it, you have captured the light perfectly.
Penny
Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like you're in the poor house for a few years Colin! After you recover, come on out!
Patrick
Thanks Scotty!
True Ron, that is quite a large pebble. I'd hate to stub my toe on it!
Patrick
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