While at Baker Beach trying to get that perfect shot of the Golden Gate Bridge, there was this guy standing on the rocks, right in the middle of my frame, shooting into the ocean.  I thought he would just take few shots and get out of the way, but he kept snapping away, one shot after another.  How many images of the same sunset can you take?  I’m standing with my tripod and my feet sinking into the sand from the waves that are coming in.  While waiting, all I could do was take a few photos of him – shoot the shooter.  He did eventually get off the rock and gave me a chance to go away with few beautiful images.  Looking at the photos now, I’m sort of liking the “Photographer at Golden Gate” image.  I guess I should have thanked him.

Baker Beach, CA
April 30, 2013

With this recent series of photos of the Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach in San Francisco, I must have captured this bridge from all possible angles, except for an aerial  view and one from the bridge itself.  Of all possible views, this series from Baker Beach is my favorite.  Though this view of the bridge must have been photographed a million times before, this was my first time and it was special.  I can certainly scratch off Golden Gate from my bucket list now.

I timed my photo shoot so that I would see the sunset off the Pacific Ocean.  As always, I lost all track of time and before I knew it, it was after 8pm and I was worried that my car was locked in the parking lot with the gates closed.  As I was rushing back with all my gears, I passed by this puddle and I just couldn’t resist.  I pulled out my tripod and spread the legs as wide as they could go to bring the lens close to the ground.  I was hoping to get more of the bridge in the reflection but it just didn’t work out.  I think the puddle itself was recessed into the sand and it just didn’t allow the right angle.  I made about 10 images, each around 6 seconds,  f/18 with ISO at 100.  I still had my circular polarizer on my 16-35mm though with the sun almost below the horizon, it really didn’t do much.

The rest of the photos from this series can be seen in the Travel Portfolio section on my website.  These photos are also available for sale in my Art Store if you want to contribute to my Carbon Fiber Tripod Fund.

This was taken near Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern CA.

This decaying old ship makes a great subject but I was there at the worst time possible. This image was taken at low tide in middle of a wet, gray afternoon. I was either hoping for a nice sunset, a more interesting sky or at least high tide so I can include some reflections from the water. This was taken with a 16-35mm with a polarizing filter set on a tripod. My tripod (and myself) kept sinking into the mud so I couldn’t stay in one spot too long. The drive from San Francisco was long and treacherous to say the least. I have to think more about whether this one is worth a second trip.

I recently saw the movie “The Black Swan” with one of my all time favorite actress, Natalie Portman.  I was impressed with the dark and disturbing storyline and the surprise ending.  The image of Natalie Portman as the obsessed ballerina lingered in my mind for several days.  I recently had an opportunity to photograph a young ballerina.  I couldn’t help but make one portrait that was inspired by the movie.  Of course, this dancer did not have the crazed looked of the Black Swan.

Broadway at the Beach, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Sun sets over Lake Eileen at the Hidden Valley Boy Scout Camp in Gilmanton Ironworks in NH.

Meet Joel.  Without his glasses and a big smile, Joel can look pretty threatening.  After spending several minutes with him, I was fortunate enough to capture both sides of Joel. He turned out to be an awesome guy either way.

Kaylee strikes a pose in the dressing room.

Amazing things you can do with flash photography.