"Bean Hollow Tidepool"
Location: Bean Hollow State Beach, San Mateo County, California.

Bean Hollow state beach has such interesting rock formations that can keep a landscape photographer busy for months. I have a few spots that I frequently visit on this beach and fine tune my images by shooting over and over at those spots. One such spot is this tidepool where, in particular, I like the central rock.

This was shot during sunset when the last rays of the light directly illuminated the rocks. Shooting at sunrise could be tricky but I may just give that a try as well... will see how that goes later.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: 17-40mm f/4L @22mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 71sec at f/13 and ISO 50, Filters: ND grad .75 0.9 Circular polarizer

"Pacific Sunset"
Location: Graywhale Cove, San Mateo County, California.

California coastline is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world and what better time to hit the coast other than at sunsets. I have been on this beach several times but it is always a unique experience to photograph it. That is because the sand is constantly changing, sometimes exposing and sometimes covering these rocks. On this particular day everything came together well. I was lucky to get the water motion that spread out from the center and resembled the clouds in the sky. The light was very good and created warm tones that I love to capture. It was a very rewarding experience and hope you enjoyed this image too.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 17-40mm f/4L @20mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 1sec at f/13 and ISO 50, Filters: 2-stop ND grad

"Crashing Waves"
Location: Garrapata State Park, Monterey, California.

The relentless forces of nature beat down on these two famous sea stacks of the Garrapata State Park. The stacks were once part of the coastline that has long been eroded. Every winter the pacific kicks into action sending large waves that constantly redefine the geology of this place.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 24-70 f/2.8L @70mm, Camera: Canon 30D, Exposure: 1sec at f/8.0 and ISO 100, Filters: Solid ND 8 stop

"Shores of Garrapata"
Location: Garrapata State Park, Monterey-Carmel Area, California.

These iconic sea stacks of Garrapata are all that remains of an ancient shoreline that once stood here. Over time they will also be claimed by the sea but for now they stand strong.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 70-200 f/4L @89mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 90sec at f/18 and ISO 50, Filters: Solid ND 8 stop ND grad 2 stop

"Pacific Sunset II"
Location: Graywhale Cove, San Mateo County, California.

A long exposure with minimalist composition was definitely the way to go for this image. The sunset light that was reflecting off the water was very subtle and using long exposure the water was rendered smooth and quiet adding to the mood of the image.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 17-40mm f/4L @17mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 15sec at f/16 and ISO 50, Filters: 3 stop ND grad

"Passage of Time"
Location: Natural Bridges State Beach, Santa Cruz, California.

If you go to Santa Cruz, California, one of the interesting places to visit is the Natural Bridges State Beach. The name comes from a few naturally formed arches which once stood here. The very forces that create the arches gradually erode and cause them to collapse into the ocean. As the storm clouds move over northern California this last standing arch battles the elements one more time.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 24-70 f/2.8L @43mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 55sec at f/14 and ISO 50, Filters: Three 8 stop Solid ND filters stacked together

"Doomsday Forecast"
Location: Garrapata State Park, Monterey-Carmel Area, California.

It is sometimes fun to venture out on a stormy day. As the clouds were just getting ready for the downpour I decided to make this final shot before heading back to shelter.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 17-40mm f/4L @28mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 0.6sec at f/11 and ISO 50, Filters: 3 stop ND grad

"San Gregorio Sand Pattern"
Location: San Gregorio State Beach, Half-Moon Bay Area, California.

There are hardly any visitors on this beach, which I found quite surprising. The beach has spectacular sandy shores that are patterned by the water movement. Few ancient volcanic rocks, similar to the one seen here, punctuate the seemingly infinite expanse of these shores.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 17-40mm f/4L @17mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 1/50sec at f/9 and ISO 50, Filters: 3 stop ND grad

"Pigeon Point Lighthouse"
Location: Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Half-Moon Bay Area, California.

The lighthouse was built in 1871 and stands at one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. On a cloudy I like to experiment using long exposures which not only allow me to smooth the water but also capture the wind driven motion of the clouds.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 17-40mm f/4L @33mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 55sec at f/11 and ISO 160, Filters: 3 stop ND grad rotated during exposure

"California Coastline"
Location: Garrapata State Park, Monterey-Carmel Area, California.

The rugged California coastline around Big Sur area is one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. I have been fortunate enough to see and photograph it several times. My favorite time of the year to visit the coastline is during winter months when you can see interesting cloud formations and vibrant hues of sunset colors. This is a long exposure image which renders the water smooth and helps to bring out the beauty of the place further.

[Purchase print or digital license]

Lens: Canon 17-40mm f/4L @32mm, Camera: Canon 5D Mk II, Exposure: 30sec at f/11 and ISO 50, Filters: 2 stop ND grad