January 1, 2020 — Sonoma County Coast
This is what it all boils down up to.
(Nikon D500, Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR zoom. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Abstraction
comments 31
Realization
January 1, 2020 — Sonoma County Coast
Sometimes you move back to express the essence.
Sometimes you move in.
(Nikon D500, Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR zoom. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Discovery
January 1, 2020 — Sonoma County coast
First it was the sound and fury. Then it was the form and color.
Actually it was always the form and color.
(Nikon D500, Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR zoom. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Down to the Sea in Shots
January 1, 2020 — Sonoma County coast
The clouds parted. The sky drama left us.
But the sea drama came to take its place. Weather alerts. High surf warnings. Rip currents. Watch out for sneaker waves. I saw a complete idiot take his cocker spaniel onto the beach, only to run back seconds later. He was bucking for a Darwin Award.
I found a low, but safe, vantage point. Hundreds of frames were shot. This is one of them. This wave is one of the moderate ones. About twelve to fourteen feet.
(Nikon D500, Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR zoom. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Back to Our Story
Picking up from the December 31 post.
But the storm wasn’t all Rothko. Something else was afoot with the weather. Maybe Mother Nature had been listening to Duke Ellington — as I have been recently — and misinterpreted Take the “A” Train as Take the A-Frame. Or something… I don’t know…
(Nikon D850, Nikon 24-120mm f/4G VR. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
More seascape horizons: www.amagaphoto.com
Happy New Year
January 1, 2020, Sonoma County Coast
The new year is often celebrated with fireworks. The best display I know of — within a reasonable distance — is old Mr. Sol. Here he is with a flourish of green, as he appeared a couple of nights ago.
May you be blessed with perfect vision, peace, prosperity, and growth in 2020.
(Nikon D500, Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR zoom. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 2.2; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Vacation / Overtime
December 29, 2019 — Sonoma Coast, Afternoon
It would seem, six hours later, that Turner was on vacation and Rothko was working overtime.
(Nikon D850, Nikon 24-120mm f/4G VR. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
More seascape horizons: www.amagaphoto.com
Morning
December 29, 2019 — Sonoma Coast
In her comment on yesterday’s post, Margot pointed out to me that stormy weather brings me Turner, while calm weather brings me Rothko. Wise and helpful words.
But Mother Nature works in wonderful and mysterious ways. In the morning, her storm brought me Rothko. Who am I to refuse?
The afternoon? Well, stay tuned…
(Nikon D850, Nikon 24-120mm f/4G VR. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Prelude (I hope)
December 28, 2019 — Sonoma Coast, this afternoon
It has been said on this very blog, among other places, that the best photography happens in the worst weather. That’s where the drama is.
Today was pleasant. Very pleasant. Not so dramatic, however.
The weather prognosticators prognosticate drama for tomorrow.
We shall see.
(Nikon D850, Nikon 24-120mm f/4G VR. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Anticipation
December 26, 2018 — Sonoma Coast
This was a year ago.
Tomorrow? We shall see.
(Nikon D500, Nikon AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 2.0; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Merry / Happy Christmas / Holidays
December 25, 2019 — Earth
Every year, our holiday card features a shot from our travels and every year I use the same clip-art Santa hats and the same elements for an Easter egg or two — because what better time for an Easter egg than Christmas?
And every year we come up with the most corny doggerel we can think up:
When you go to the land of the Swiss
There’s a view you don’t want to miss
The mountain is stately
We admired it greatly —
It led to photographers’ bliss.
With good fortune we feel we’ve been blessed:
Adventure, good times, and success
We make it quite clear
We wish you good cheer
And days of supreme happiness.
Although corny it’s heartfelt.
(Photo by Oliver Klink, August 11, 2019; Editing and compositing by me in Adobe Photoshop.)
Getting Sketchy
January 18, 2019 — Sonoma County Coast
Reduced to the essence: Look at a scene. Know what you like. Show that.
(Nikon D850, Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR zoom. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 2.2; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
PS…
November 27, 2019 — San Mateo County Coast
Just one more thing, Mother Nature: If you think I was being a little harsh in my last post, I want to respectfully remind you of the wonderful show you put on for me just three weeks ago.
(Nikon D500, Tamron 100-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di VC USD. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
Dear Mother Nature,
I want to propose something. Here’s the background:
Last week, as I was driving home from an appointment, I crested the pass above Fremont and got a view across the bay and beyond the Santa Cruz Mountains toward the west. It looked promising for some dramatic horizon seascapes. Because I always have my pocket camera with me, I drove straight to the coast. My expectations mounted during the nearly an hour-and-a-half drive, but when I arrived, I was disappointed.
I wanted drama. You gave me monotone.
Now, we both know that I often work in subtle monotone, but on this particular occasion I didn’t want you to be a subtle seductress. I wanted you to be a drama queen. That’s what I expect in December.
So here’s my proposal: Later this month I’ll be on the coast for a while. If you give me the drama I seek, I’ll chill on my efforts to outdo you with post-processing drama.
Deal?
(Canon G5X II. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.1; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
(Tech note: No filters were used here; only local adjustments in tone, contrast, microcontrast, and vibrancy.)
For more horizons, go to www.amagaphoto.com.
Happy Hunting Harrier Sequel: 6 Departure and Epilogue
She flew off to try her luck further down the levee. We tracked her as far as we could see — far out of camera range — till she dove behind the next levee and disappeared.
For a few minutes.
Then she took off from the far side, rose over high the levee, kited, and dropped like a stone. A moment later she rose again, this time with her prey.
That was her Thanksgiving dinner.
And we went home to prepare ours.
(Nikon D500, Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR zoom. RAW processing in DxO PhotoLab 3.0; Editing in Adobe Photoshop.)
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