Big Sur

Point Sur Lighthouse. Big Sur, CA — February, 2003
Canon 1Ds with 300mm f/2.8L lens @ ISO 200
Timing was a critical element in the creation of this shot. The sun was just clearing the mountains to the left of frame shortly after sunrise, illuminating the wave tops with a lovely warm light. The beam of the lighthouse flashed by every 12 seconds on its rotation. My goal was to capture both at the same time. Sometimes I missed the beam, and sometimes when the beam came round the waves weren't right. This frame, the last one shot before the warm light disappeared caught them both.
I had been considering doing a shoot in theBig Surfor some time. I had visited that awe inspiring stretch of Southern Central California coastline several times over the years but had never had the chance for a few concentrated days of landscape photography.
When a major manufacturer called and asked if I would like to review an upcoming product this seemed like a great opportunity to revisit Big Sur and d...