Driving Big Sur: Fog Photo

Photographer’s Note

I thought I might be misleading people with this Big Sur travel guide since my 16th trip was on a glorious sunny day when the hills were a vibrant green. Besides, I was having such fun with the guide and theme; I decided it was time for # 17. So here is Big Sur in its more common condition of brown hills and fog. Given the brown hills, I was happy to have the fog shifting the landscape. Fortunately it was a playful fog, teasing us with hints of blue and then hiding the water below from view. This was much easier to photograph the flat grey we had when Livia was here and when Norbert visited Lobos Point. I couldn’t decide which foggy shot to post, so there are two more in the workshop.

As per Xuaxo’s implied advice, we took our time on this trip: Day1: Ventura to Santa Barbara; Day 2: Santa Barbara to Cambria; Day 3: San Simeon to Nepenthe; Day 4: Nepenthe to Moss Landing. To maintain the continuity of the trip, the guide will continue from Nepenthe. I’ll post photos taken before Nepenthe in a new theme: California Beach State Parks. If you have State Park photos, let me know

pboehringer, ribeiroantonio, Thumper, siolaw, pablominto, Floydian, xuaxo, sabyasachi1212, feather, ALIRIZA, nwoehnl, isabib, pranab, alekpet, john_c, josepmarin, isabela_sor, fabio_ts, bakes888, Henryk_Bilor, gunbud, jwmunro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

guaranine (0) 2006-11-05 19:03

very nice detail and comp.
beth

pboehringer (770) 2006-11-05 20:19

I like this Big Sur picture a lot. It shows exactly what you're expected to get going there. Fog, fog and fog, but also a quite interesting light condition as soon as the fog gives some space as you got it here. This light gives an argent reflection over the entire landscape.
TFS, Peter

roamermark (1588) 2006-11-05 21:37

Patricia.
I am not one for landscapes generally bu tthis is very nicely done with an attractive composition of an attractive place. Your timnjg is nice with the fog rolling in (or out I suppose) and nice detail captured throughout.
Cheers
Mark

ribeiroantonio (22058) 2006-11-05 21:57

This scenery reminds me a very similar one in the eastern side of the South Island in New Zealand. I really enjoyed driving along the road, just a few meters above sea level. I am sure I would enjoy doing the same at Big Sur. It really looks like the fog was just waiting for you after that right turn. Beautifully captured and presented. I like it.
Antonio

PJE (19575) 2006-11-05 22:46

Well Hello Patricia,
You live in a very beautiful place along the west coast. The fog or mist as you call it makes for a wonderful mood in this setting. It is nice to see the road disappear into the distance too along the shoreline. I actually wonder if some of this cloud might be partly forest fire smoke. But I am uncertain which way the wind is blowing!

Thumper (0) 2006-11-05 23:25 [Comment]

Show Comment

Polonaise (5638) 2006-11-05 23:56

Dear Pat.
A definitive winner.
That foggy background, combined with the clarity of the first plan - it's an unbeatable combination.
Immaculate technicality and presentation - and here we are...
Clear, un-spoilt visual sense's pleaser.
Have a great evening, gal.
g.

siolaw (25890) 2006-11-06 1:28

Hi Patricia
Nice series driving Big sur! We know almost the all coastline now!Nice stormy colors, good POV and framing;
TFS
Laurent

pablominto (41690) 2006-11-06 2:11

Hello Pat,
A beautiful point of view!
The curve of the rugged shoreline washed by the eternal surf is full of life, and the drama of weather adds atmosphere...
Good details, a simple but pleasant composition!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Floydian (30970) 2006-11-06 3:23

Hi Patricia,
The fog is nice, a deep blue sky is not always your best friend.
These kind of images are just an extra challenge and you did very good on this one. The bend of the road is making us curious....what's behind it.
Good pov...very nice.
Regards, Henk

delkoo (35024) 2006-11-06 5:05

bonjour patricia
very nice seascape, one can fells the wind blowing, i like the misty atmosphere as well as the colours of the sea.

best regards
didier

Emiel_Skyfreak (2976) 2006-11-06 6:22

Nice shot, I like how you've caught the dramatic weather, seems bad, but in contradiction, except for the dirt, the sea seems really nice. Good colours there, but I bet it will be a cold swim..Brrr.
Nice myst and good composition, having the lines of the beach lead the eye, aswell as the road disappearing around a corner. Very good sharpness.
TFs.

xuaxo (5911) 2006-11-06 7:43

Hi Pat
It's very interesting how this foggy setting gives a nice photo. It's also interesting how the shore disappears into the fog.
I prefer the primary post.

About California Beach State Parks, I have photos of Border Field State Park, but I don't know if it applies. I have also photos (not posted) between Imperial Beach and Coronado. And La Jolla. I'm not sure if is there a beach state park.
F

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2006-11-06 8:18

Hi Patricia,
This one does change things a bit for one who was discovering this place through your lens. The foggu BG is in total contrast to the sharp n clear hill in the FG.
Well Done!
With Greetings from India
Sabyasachi

feather (50560) 2006-11-06 11:04

Hello Pat. You've been quiet lately. Now I see you've been on another trip. I really like the light on this one; the foreground is bright, yet the fog gives the image a wonderful dramatic appearance. I like the WS too and it serves to show just how this fog was moving around. Good work.
Kath

carper (66132) 2006-11-06 11:25

A very nice one Pat,
great view, very nice atmosphere with the fog and the fantastic point of view, good quality job, very nice job.
gr. jaap

fanch (0) 2006-11-06 12:47

For sure ,good weather allows making beautiful images.
But an inferior time is sometimes even richer in possibilities!
This deep green colour of the sea, that restless sky,
this mist which looks of the depth and mystery
are strong caractheristics giving enjoyment to this image.
Amitiés , Patricia !

Gerrit (36553) 2006-11-06 13:57

Hi Patricia,
beautiful picture. Good composition and sun and showers together.
Regards, Gerrit

ALIRIZA (16197) 2006-11-06 14:53

Hi Patricia,
Very nice POV and beautiful dark sky. This very good shot, natural colors, nice image and excellent composition...
Well done my friend,
Ali Rıza

nwoehnl (120) 2006-11-06 15:48

Hi Pat. I like this moody and rugged impression from the Pacific Coast - it is a good illustration of the epic forces of nature, and as such much more effective than any neat photo on a day with a perfect blue sky might ever be. Good angle along the curve of the shoreline and the highway. The hues of blue and turquoise in the raging sea are beautiful as well.

isabib (1951) 2006-11-06 18:12

Hi Pat,

I like those dark clouds in contrast with the nice view of the hills. TFS!

pranab (5354) 2006-11-07 3:10

pat,
wonderful capture of this beautiful coastline. nice curved lines and the colors here are amazing. great dof and teh details are great. well done.

Angshu (34243) 2006-11-07 3:34

Hi Pat
What a delightful post of the place with the approaching fog. The clear view of the FG with the curve of the beach gets enveloped in the BG..You've handled light superbly here & the crispness of the elements in the FG including the small wavelets are wonderful to watch. Beautiful!
Regards
Angshu

rosaline (0) 2006-11-07 3:51

Hi Pat
This is a nice, desolate wind sweep scene. It could be in the wilds of Scotland. The poetry is clear from this scene. I also like the pov, capturing the curvature of the shoreline and the rocks protruding just off shore. The cloudy sky is impressive too, and adds the right balance of atmposhere. Very good.
Aubrey

alekpet (4659) 2006-11-07 9:34

Hi Patricia.

You've done extremely well with the polariser, shoose a very good angle and executed the best you could in such conditions. I like how the shore is curving from the down right towards the middle of the picture.

take care, Aleks

john_c (24635) 2006-11-07 10:34

Hi Patricia,
The wonderful anomaly you have captured here is warm sun with fog. The hues and tones are most pleasing, and I like the way the mist in one spot hangs right over the water. The black rocks nicely balance the frame and all is seen with great clarity. A very fine capture, Pat. Good ambience.
John

josepmarin (34269) 2006-11-07 13:07

Hi Pat,
the effect that gives the fog to this image is impressive, it has already hidden the line of the horizon and continues approaching. The profile of the coast with the highway that is lost in the slope, the beach with stones, the rocks and the water of the sea with these beautiful and dark colors form a great composition. I like, and it is very well done.
Regards,
Josep

Ann75 (0) 2006-11-07 14:41

Hi Patricia,

What a great shot of this coast line. I love the blue-greenish hues displayed in the water. The fog that is dancing above the water is a great addition. I love contrast of the scene with the cliff to the right side. Excellent composition with great details and beautiful colours! Well done, Patricia!

Greetings,
Ann

isabela_sor (42757) 2006-11-08 14:57

Incredible beach scene, very wild and dramatic...your composition is great just the way it is. The details are simply incredible and the image quality is most impressive,dear Pat
All the best
Isabela

vincz (19075) 2006-11-10 3:53

I rememebr quite well driving on this road in similar conditions. Although like very much sunny days, I must admit that the northern california coast until Big Sur offers truly dramatic scenery during foggy days. great shot you shared here. Thanks.

fabio_ts (13674) 2006-11-10 8:18

The dramatic sky gives to this picture a fantastic atmosphere, the place is wonderful and(once again) you show it to us in all its beauty, compliments!!

have a nice weekend,
Fabio.

kurekpit (401) 2006-11-11 8:51

Another great shot Patricia,nice POV and composition,good job.Best wishes

* Piotr *

bakes888 (18353) 2006-11-12 4:04

Hi Pat. Nice to see a “natural state” photo. You have still managed good colour saturation. The road gives good lead-in and adds scale also. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers, Paul.

Henryk_Bilor (20375) 2006-11-19 4:34

Hi Patricia
Amazing moments, but the one in WS is more impressive. So dangerous it looks and very interesting. Beautiful place and the fog trying to eat it :).
Regards

gunbud (28295) 2006-12-20 19:34

Hi Pat,
Beautiful moody colors, the sea appears to be boiling and letting off steam. I love the fine detail to the surf touch the narrow beach.
Regards, Tom

kebek (5434) 2007-03-09 14:04

Serwus Pat !
I choose this one after my break ;)
This is the outstanding light that caught my eye. And Your brilliant composition of this spectacular coastal scenery.

Thank You very, very much for Your kind wishes under my last post.

All the best,
M.

nisko (2461) 2007-04-02 13:50

hi Patricia,
really impressive composition!the landscape seem so special!Very atmosferic shot..and mist helps much in that
best regards

jwmunro (6279) 2008-01-05 12:30

Hello Pat -

Those hills are not brown, they are golden! It is the Golden state after all! Yes, this is the common sight along this portion of the coast. This past summer when Joanne and I were driving north when we approached Point Sur the weather changed to cold, grey, and windy. But, most of the day driving north it was sunny and warm after the fog burned back. Well done!

Thank you for sharing.

John