California USA
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California Love - Oceanside, California - USA
I've seen quite a few ocean sunsets throughout Southern California, and they're just one of the many reasons why I love the state. This capture was taken by hand, while strolling along the shoreline in Oceanside, immersed in the ocean's majestic beauty. As with most of my work, it was in the moment, and meditative, not pre-meditated. The beautiful, big rolling waves, lovely color palette, and streaking sunlight came together in fantastic harmony, and reminded me why I have so much Love for California.
Cotton Candy Cliffs - Torrey Pines, California - USA
High up on the cliffs in Torrey Pines. I had to hike down the hill a little bit, and work my way through some shrubs to get this magnificent, unobstructed view. Just on the other side of the cliffs, to the right, is the famous PGA Torrey Pines golf course. Southern California's coastal sunsets are often breathtaking & mesmerizing. This one was actually quite muted compared to many. Having ventured to the cliffs, I was hoping for one of those unforgettable sunset experiences, and while it didn't happen, I can't say I was disappointed! The pleasant, soft, cotton candy hues were quite pleasing. I feel this piece exemplifies an important realization. We can always look for and find the beauty in life, even when there is a let down in our hopes or expectations.
Through The Pines - Idyllwild, CA
I was camping at about a mile high elevation near Idyllwild, CA in the San Jacinto Mountains. Having scoped this spot out earlier in the day, I anxiously returned to soak in & capture the sunset. Idyllwild is a magical place, surrounded by towering pine trees. The sunsets are sublime, looking westward over 100 miles towards the California coast. I had captured 5 or 6 "art worthy" shots from this sunset, and this one produced the most memorable feeling. In the moment, an idea sparked. Find a spot where I can frame the sun inside of the pines. So I ran around with camera in hand, becoming filled with happiness & excitement when I found my spot, knowing it would convey the majesty of this sublime setting & sunset.
Simple Magnificence - Laguna Beach, California - USA
"The very fact alone, that you are here, existent, in this moment, should fill you with awe & faith in existence. When we learn to appreciate the simple magnificence of life, the extraordinary appears more often. Mere reverence, wonder, and awe for our experience expands the mind, and connects us to a universal source." - BBB These succulent beauties are found abundantly in Laguna Beach. Found on a random walk through a random neighborhood, and it's one of the many reasons why this is easily my favorite beach town. This is a variation of the original with additional editing, including an oil paint effect.
Happy Place - Dana Point, California - USA
This rocky cove is a popular spot. I managed to capture this while a small wedding was taking place just to the right of the image. I sure do love rocks, especially rocks on the beach, and this fantastic cove delivers plenty of them! Cliffs, rocks, gentle waves rolling in, and retracting, and the sun setting is quite a prescription for my happy place, despite the crowd. In my own world of bliss and happiness, the streaks in the sand, from the waves retracting, is what captured my adoration during this sunset, and became the focal point of the capture.
Silky Sunset at the Pier - Long Beach, CA
This was a spontaneous, In the Moment capture, seen while strolling down the shoreline at sunset. First time venturing to the pier, and I was treated to this glorious color palette. The silky reflection of the orange and purple hues is what captivated, and moved me to turn on the camera. This resulted from the very gently moving ocean with virtually no waves. This image is nearly untouched in editing.
Daydreaming at the Pier - Oceanside, CA
I was strolling along, daydreaming, in a state of pure bliss, enraptured by the majesty of the ocean. Filled with a sense of peace and joy, heightened by the colors, the sounds, and was absolutely thrilled by these glorious waves crashing among the rocks. In order to capture this, I climbed among the (very slippery) rocks to get an angle that I was satisfied with, and the water was up to my knees. Had to be cautious not to get the camera wet! These were pretty big waves, making big splashes, as you can see by the next one incoming! It was well worth the risk to capture and convey the dreamy feeling experienced here.
Colorful Cove - Sunset Cliffs, CA
One of the most memorable features of San Diego are the amazing cliffs found along it's coastline. Tucked away in this cove, I was struck, and fascinated by the wonderful palette of colors! From the water color, to the shimmery colorful reflections, to the beautiful cliff in the background. Not to mention the funky, cool rock formation. These colors are as is, virtually untouched in editing. This was a high traffic area, and took patience and persistence to capture it without interruption!
As the sun was setting, I was walking around the pier, looking for something to capture my eye. The lighting, shadows, and shimmery, glazed reflections not only captured my eye, but enthralled me! I was so in love with the scene, that I took at least 100 shots in continuous mode, hoping to capture the perfect combination. I really wanted to represent the full magnificence of the scene, and was very pleased with the result. It's topped off by a bonus of what appears to be a heart, reflected in the sand from the sun.
Golden Glory - Mission Beach, CA
One of my first trips to the beach after purchasing my first DSLR, years ago. I'll always remember the excitement of being at the ocean with a "real" camera. This wasn't your typical, spectacularly colored SoCal sunset. Absent of the reds, oranges, and purples that are so breathtaking. Regardless, this thick layer of clouds on the horizon provided a very deep and rich golden hue to the sky, water and sand. A sunset that may have been a disappointment in the eyes of some, become a scene of Golden Glory in my eyes.
Another one of my personal favorites. This was the first time I set out on day long photographic journey, roaming the hills of Temecula, CA. This was taken to the East of wine country on Black Mountain Road, between Lake Skinner & Diamond Valley Lake. I was very happy to come across this peak with beautiful views of the mountainous landscape, and the color in the sky at this moment in time was simply magnificent.
This magical, colorful sunrise was taken at Lake Riverside Estates in Aguanga, CA from the driveway of my residence. Elevation approximately 4k feet. I was provided unforgettable sunrises at this location on a daily basis, as the sun would come up over the East mountains, providing these gorgeous colors,reflected beautifully by the lake. What a magical way to start the day.
Pines to Palms - Garner Valley, California - USA
Garner Valley is a beautiful remote area of California, on the Pines to Palms highway, west of Palm Springs and the San Jacinto Mountains National Forest. I spent the day exploring the area, and fell head over heels in love with these vast, and beautiful fields, completely blanketed in yellow wildflowers. In this scene are the pine trees, abundantly found, and native to the area, as well as the San Jacinto Mountains seen in the distance.
"To experience the true beauty of life, and of one another, we need to pause and go beyond what's presented on the surface." - BBB This was just another wildflower in a typical Southern California lawn. I could have dismissed it as such, and moved along. Instead, I took some time to truly be in the moment with this beauty. In doing so, an entirely new level of awe and amazement opened up to me. Perhaps most memorable for myself, was the fact that I was in uniform, working for the man at this time, which did not deter me in the least from savoring the beauty all around.
Passion, 2 of 2 - Laguna Beach, CA - USA
I'm passionate about life and it's beauty. This is a passion flower. What a mind blowingly magnificent creation from God/Mother Nature. This capture was the first time I've seen one. On a carefree day, in a very zen state, tuned in to the beauty all around us, I was wandering around, loving life, and all of the beauty found in the magnificent Laguna Beach, CA. I was lucky to stumble upon it floating in the water, appropriately enough, in a zen themed gift shop. Passion 1 is zoomed in on the intricate details.
Passion, 1 of 2 - Laguna Beach, CA - USA
I'm passionate about life and it's beauty. This is a passion flower. What a mind blowingly magnificent creation from Mother Nature. This capture was the first time I've seen one. On a carefree day, in a very zen state, tuned in to the beauty all around us, I was wandering around, loving life, and all of the beauty found in the magnificent Laguna Beach, CA. I was lucky to stumble upon it floating in the water, appropriately enough, in a zen themed gift shop. In love with, and mesmerized by the intensity and intricacy of these beautiful details, I zoomed in for this macro shot with my basic kit lens. Passion 2 is panned out to show the entire flower, and flow of the water.
A roadside stop at sunset along the famed CA-1 coastal highway. I was passing through with no particular sunset destination, and decided that this would suffice as the light was disappearing quickly. I consider this 76 mile stretch of highway through Big Sur to be the premier scenic drive in America, as it provides a mystifying, awe inspiring combination of mountainous terrain, forestry, and rocky shore, all on display in this surreal sundown scene.
Big Sur Cliff Wildflowers - Big Sur Coast, California - USA
A roadside stop along the famed Big Sur California Coast Highway 1. An expansive view, highlighting these incredible ocean cliffs, lush green, and summertime wildflowers.
Unexpected Beauty - Temecula, California - USA
"Life is all about perspective, and how we choose to see it. As we more consciously choose to see the good, and the beauty in the world, it begins to appear in unexpected places." - BBB This is a special piece to me, as I captured it in my very own backyard, on the day that my first DSLR arrived in the mail. Having hardly an idea of what I was doing with the camera, I stepped into the backyard to find this guy camping out, and chose to see beauty in a place that most would not. It's been commented more than once that it looks like I photoshopped the spider into this shot, and that is certainly not the case!
The sunset was so spectacular this evening that I created six different pieces from it. We were camping high up in the mountains near Idyllwild, CA in the San Jacinto Mountains. I scoped the spot out earlier in the day, and anxiously returned & camped out for sunset. I call it "Like A Dream" because it feels so very surreal. This image is altered a bit heavier than most to give it the very dramatic depth of colors & contrasts.
Big Sur Cove n Cliff - Big Sur Coast, California - USA
A roadside turnout, high up on the cliffs, along a windy stretch of the famed and glorious Big Sur Coast Highway in Northern California.
A roadside stop along the California Highway 101, Big Sur Coast
InfiniTree - Idyllwild, California - USA
"In simplicity, there is truth, and there is beauty. In simplicity, we find wisdom. In silence, we find wisdom. In experience, we find wisdom. In nature, we find wisdom. Timeless, and infinite." This is a top down view of a tree stump. It looks as though you can see infinity within this single stump. I was fascinated by the detail and contrasts, the story it tells of this tree's wisdom, and the simple, yet complex beauty of mother nature it reflects to us. This photo is barely altered, simply added a bit of intensity to the colors, highlighting the variance.
The sunset was so spectacular this evening that I created six different pieces from it. We were camping high up in the mountains near Idyllwild, CA in the San Jacinto Mountains. I scoped the spot out earlier in the day, and anxiously returned & camped out for sunset. This is looking westward over the Hemet Valley & toward the ocean. Diamond Valley Lake can be seen in the shot. I really enjoyed how much of the sky was covered by the golden/orange hues of this magnificent sunset.