Dealing with Harsh Weather…

A week ago I blogged about  my photographic week and many of the shots I posted were a result of some crazy weather we were having and those shots showed how it impacts the beaches here in New Jersey.

I certainly don’t like the devastating results of these storms on the beaches close to my home but it certainly makes for great photography.

Last week a combination of strong winds, high tide and full moon made for some extraordinary surf. Only the best surfers come out in these conditions and I’m glad I caught some of the action.

The waves were big but quite unorganized yet it didn’t stop this pro from work’in it…

I look at some of these shots and try to envision myself atop these masses of water and ultimately I’m glad I’m standing where I am…

Finally, just before I was about to leave, this guy showed up and I got what I think is the “shot of the day”…

With the arrival of a nor’easter today and possibly Hurricane Joaquin a day or so later I hope to be able to photograph more of the harsh weather and show it to you up close and personal….. Stay tuned!

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My Week of Photography at the Beach (Part 1)…

It was a good week for photography “down the shore”. Weather made the  sunrises quite dramatic and Atlantic Ocean angry .

Let’s start with the sunrise…

We then got this…

The shot above then turned into this…

And about a half hour later we got this…

Not a bad start to my photographic week.

Wednesday is Opposite Day…

So I visited my chiropractor this morning and had a few minutes to take some shot at the beach in Belmar (New Jersey). This has become my go to spot for beach pictures this summer.

Just like most shorelines, Belmar has an inlet to get to the marina where boats of all sizes are moored. An active spot usually, yet on this particular day it was quiet from a boat traffic standpoint. Beach goers, on the other hand, were converging at the waters edge to beat the heat.

These shots are showing opposite sides of the inlet and you can see the action pretty clearly, whether it be sunbathers, fisherman, surfers or just sightseers, like me.

Another scorcher day in store for tomorrow so maybe another trip to Belmar will be needed.

52 Week Music Theme Project: What’s Up?…

 

Surf’s Up…. and you know what that means!

Apparently the conditions have been “rad” the last few weeks for surfing all along the Jersey Shore. I met a local surfer named Austin who told me that it’s been some of the best winter surfing in many years. I talked to him briefly as he couldn’t wait to get back into the cold Atlantic Ocean. Austin and 2 dozen other surfers donned their wetsuits and caught wave after wave. Most rides were good, catching time in the tube with minimal wipe-outs.

I talked to another guy who was taking underwater shots of the surfing and he couldn’t believe how many guys were braving the cold water and the shallow water level. He thought it was pretty dangerous.

Wonder if this guy found the bottom?

Looking Forward To The Left Coast….

I’m obsessed with Topaz Simplify, plain and simple.

I got up early on Sunday morning, took my 20 minute drive to the beach, and honestly, was quite disappointed with the action of the morning. No waves, no people, no boats, nothing. Patience prevailed and a few surfers arrived to take on the Atlantic. I can’t help but think they were disappointed too as the waves were 2-3 feet maximum. Didn’t stop them though from entering the water.

I snapped a few as they dipped their feet. After looking at the results I quickly lost my patience and left. But as always I was anxious to get the shots into my computer and have a look.

Not overly impressed I decided to export a few shots to Simplify and BAM, I quickly said “hey, I might have something here”. Simplify to the rescue and worthy enough to post. What do you think? Any good? Please click on to get the full effect.

In reference to the post title, I will be leaving for Sin City and then Orange County, Cal. for a week or so. Anyone have any suggestions for photo ops? I’ve been planning for the iconic shots but doesn’t anyone have any recommendations for those “hidden gems”? I hope to get to the Valley of Fire, Red Rock Canyon, in Vegas. While in California I’m planning on Laguna, Newport Beach, etc. Can you think of any others??????

 

The Cut Back…

Although we are in the midst of Shark Week in the cable world I don’t think surfers here in NJ have any conscious thoughts of what’s swimming beneath the water.

On this particular day being part of a gorgeous sunrise and catching the perfect wave was the order of this morning.

 

Sunrise Surf…

A beautiful morning not only for me the photographer but for the dozen or so surfers at the Manasquan Inlet beach. I was a bit surprised to see that many surfers at 5:30am even if the conditions were ideal.

For such a perfect morning I found it a bit difficult to expose properly with the harsh light. I tried a combination of polarizer and exposure compensation and although not perfect the results aren’t half bad.

Do you have any experience with these conditions(I know most of you don’t get up this early:)), if so, any suggestions?