This weekend I'm taking a short vacation down the shore to rejuvenate myself. Of course rejuvenating would include sleeping in, but how can anyone sleep in and miss pictures like this one? I was up early last year, and probably will be this year too. I'm hoping for some dramatic sunrise weather.
Nikon D5100 Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 55mm f/4.8 ISO 100 1/250 sec
My favorite beach picture doesn’t have a beach in it but, not only is it my favorite beach picture ,it is also one of my all time favorites. We were away for the weekend visiting Ocean City, Maryland ,and I had taken some wonderful sunrise pictures on Saturday morning. Early Sunday I arose to the sound of rain. Crestfallen, but determined, I ventured out. I drove to the Southernmost point of the city where the Atlantic flows into the Ocean City Inlet, where there is a giant parking lot. I sat in my car gazing out at the black sky knowing that a sunrise was out of the question today. Workers were out inspecting the amusement rides and collecting trash from the night before, sweeping the wet sand and puddles from the blacktop. I thought about how chilly the wind was, how biting the drizzling drops would feel against my face, and how violent the surf was. I wished the clouds would part and resurrect this pre-dawn disaster. I waited...
Then I had an idea. I had read about, and seen examples of, long exposure photography. I thought now might be the time to give it a try. Standing on the beach looking out into the pitch black was intimidating. I thought the pier would give a nice focal point for the picture, since it was the only thing I could see, and the lights would give the camera something to focus on. I never imagined the image below would appear in the viewfinder. Because the shutter was open for more than twenty seconds, the moving waves disappeared into a calm pool of water. The lights on the pier shone like stars and the blue in the sky and on the ocean glowed richly on the display. The camera’s sensor, being exposed to the faint light for so long, captured the rich azure blue my eyes were incapable of perceiving. I gaped in awe at the camera. It was a fabulous morning.
Nikon D5100 Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 @ 17mm f/13 ISO 100 20 sec
I didn’t get a chance to finish “Beach Week” last week so I’ll finish over the next few days.
Last January we spent a long weekend at a resort in Puerto Rico called the Gran Melia. Part of the property is a private beach for vacationers to enjoy. I don’t want to sound snooty or elitist, but it is very nice to take a stroll along the beach at night or in the early morning twilight in Puerto Rico and not worry about getting jumped from behind a palm tree. I’m sure I could not say this about all the beaches there. The cleanliness of the beach area in the resort was impeccable.
All weekend long, peaceful waves lapped upon the beach and cool breezes drifted by. As the shade from the palm trees softened the midday sun, I decided that this may be my favorite beach... so far...
Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 28mm f/16 ISO 100
Waterville, Ireland may not be the place you want to sit out on the beach in January and take in some rays, but it is a great spot to snuggle under a blanket and watch a sunset with your honey while sipping Irish coffee. The beach is located near the Southwestern tip of Ireland along the Ring of Kerry and boasts views across an inlet of the North Atlantic. Charlie Chaplin frequently visited this little hamlet and there is a bronze statue of him adorning the sidewalk in front of the beach. The town hosted the first Charlie Chaplin Comedy Film Festival in 2011.
Nikon D5100 Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 15mm f/13 ISO 200 1/320 sec
Beginning Monday, I will be starting a short segment covering a recent trip to Puerto Rico, taken back in January. Since Winter is (hopefully) winding down, I thought it would be nice to get everyone excited about the upcoming good times. Fun moments soaking in the sun, relaxing in the sand, and frolicking in the ocean are just around the corner. Retrieving some much needed vitamin D is on my high priority list for Spring and I can’t wait to get started. So enjoy a little glimpse at the gently warming rays, the refreshing water, and the tropical palm trees.
Nikon D800 Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 62mm f/14 ISO 100 1/1000 sec