I like to go there because there are so many rocks and so much wildlife. This evening alone I saw six whales just past the breaks....here's a few shots from the evening.
Life is Art....Live.Learn.Photography.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
La Piedra State Beach
There are so many pretty beaches in Malibu; El Matador, Zuma, Westward, Carbon, and so on. But hidden among all those beaches is one of my favorites. It's right next to El Matador, so often, people skip it because El Matador is known so well.
I like to go there because there are so many rocks and so much wildlife. This evening alone I saw six whales just past the breaks....here's a few shots from the evening.
I like to go there because there are so many rocks and so much wildlife. This evening alone I saw six whales just past the breaks....here's a few shots from the evening.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Top 10 Images of the Year: 5-1
Yesterday, I shared my 10-6 favorite images of 2012. So today, I'm sharing the Top 5 favorite images I took this year.
One thing you will probably notice; Africa.
Yes, the highlight of my year was the trip to Africa. I honestly tried to find more images that weren't taken in Africa to place in my Top 10 but favorites are favorites, so here they are.....
#5
The Kiss at Point Dume
Not all my favorite images were taken in Africa. One of them was taken right in Malibu. My number 10 favorite image was a photo of Point Dume itself. But what better way to make it the ultimate Malibu wedding photograph than to capture Point Dume with the Bride and Groom.
#4
The Lone Tree
Somewhere along the Masai Mara I came across this lone tree. Now I'd seen this tree before in the months leading up to trip to Masai Mara. I was certain of it. It was the same tree filmed in Disney's African Cats. On this cloudy and stormy day in May, it was just a perfect setting. Sitting there all alone near the bumpy dirt road. Just absolutely peaceful. It's one of my favorite images. Not really sure why, but it made my list.
#3
The Elusive Leopard
If there is one thing that requires a bit of luck when in Africa, it's spotting the elusive leopard. In fact, I met a local in Kenya who has lived there 40 years and never seen a leopard. Yes, they are elusive. But not on this day. This leopard was relaxing in a tree. You could see his tail hanging like a rope from a distance. Not only did the leopard just relax there while I photographed it, it also gave me a stare that I will never forget. Almost like he was looking me straight in the eyes. A true highlight of my year and worthy of being one of my favorite images of the year.
#2 TIE
Love the kitties...and the elephants too!
Okay...so I'm cheating a bit here. There are two photos and I just couldn't decide my favorite of the two. So it's a tie. The first one is one of those images that just begs to be on the cover of a science book. It's almost a perfect capture of a Cheetah in the wild. This particular cat spent the evening teaching it's cub how to hunt. It was truly one of the highlights of the trip. To see this animal care for its young, teach it how to survive, and walk gracefully past you was just a dream come true.
The second photo is of an Elephant and her baby at Samburu Reserve in Kenya. This is one of those images with much detail within it. Even the blades of grass are curled up like elephant's trunks. I recently enlarged it and printed it as a gift for someone and the details in the image just makes it more impactful. It's full of love and affection. Something that encompasses these magestic animals. The Elephants were truly amazing.
Both shots were taken with the awesome Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.
#1
Natural harmony...
If there's ever been a memorable moment in my life it was this one. What can I say? Sometimes nature gives us the perfect moment. This group of giraffes was about a half mile from where I was hiking at the edge of Lake Naivasha. It was just after sunrise on a dewy morning when I noticed the giraffes in the distance. I didn't think much at the time, all my attention was on the hippos that were in the water just to the right of the frame (Lake Naivasha is known for being home to Hippos).
But curiosity got the best of this family. They wanted to see what all the commotion was about. So they walked right up to me. It was magical. Led by their father and their mother, they gracefully just walked up right beside me to drink water at the lake's edge. It was at this moment when everything came together.
It became my favorite photo I've taken in years. The composition, the colors, exposure, and the essence of the experience was captured in this single frame. Often, I tell people that in a photo, if you can capture movement in nature, it can lead to a powerful image. This image did just that.
As humans, our eyes naturally gravitate from left to right (just like we read). So psychologically, anything with that movement is normally most appealing to our minds. In this image, not only are the giraffes moving left to right but the whole frame is, in a stroke of pure luck, mimicking that motion.
Notice how the clouds follow the flow, almost like they are shadowing each and every giraffe. The pyramid effect almost looks fake. Even the plants and land are flowing left to right; But not everything can flow that direction. Something has to balance it or our minds literally get bored or confused.
Look closely and you will see one thing flowing right to left. The shadow.
It's falling from right to left and has balanced the photo to perfection. Without getting too psychological with it, it creates the balance our mind needs to make the image most appealing to our eyes.
So that's it. More travel in 2013 is planned. Perhaps back to Africa, maybe Iceland, or maybe Alaska...where ever I go, one thing is for sure. I'm going to have that Canon 5D iii and 7D at my side. :-)
-cg
One thing you will probably notice; Africa.
Yes, the highlight of my year was the trip to Africa. I honestly tried to find more images that weren't taken in Africa to place in my Top 10 but favorites are favorites, so here they are.....
#5
The Kiss at Point Dume
Not all my favorite images were taken in Africa. One of them was taken right in Malibu. My number 10 favorite image was a photo of Point Dume itself. But what better way to make it the ultimate Malibu wedding photograph than to capture Point Dume with the Bride and Groom.
#4
The Lone Tree
Somewhere along the Masai Mara I came across this lone tree. Now I'd seen this tree before in the months leading up to trip to Masai Mara. I was certain of it. It was the same tree filmed in Disney's African Cats. On this cloudy and stormy day in May, it was just a perfect setting. Sitting there all alone near the bumpy dirt road. Just absolutely peaceful. It's one of my favorite images. Not really sure why, but it made my list.
#3
The Elusive Leopard
If there is one thing that requires a bit of luck when in Africa, it's spotting the elusive leopard. In fact, I met a local in Kenya who has lived there 40 years and never seen a leopard. Yes, they are elusive. But not on this day. This leopard was relaxing in a tree. You could see his tail hanging like a rope from a distance. Not only did the leopard just relax there while I photographed it, it also gave me a stare that I will never forget. Almost like he was looking me straight in the eyes. A true highlight of my year and worthy of being one of my favorite images of the year.
#2 TIE
Love the kitties...and the elephants too!
Okay...so I'm cheating a bit here. There are two photos and I just couldn't decide my favorite of the two. So it's a tie. The first one is one of those images that just begs to be on the cover of a science book. It's almost a perfect capture of a Cheetah in the wild. This particular cat spent the evening teaching it's cub how to hunt. It was truly one of the highlights of the trip. To see this animal care for its young, teach it how to survive, and walk gracefully past you was just a dream come true.
The second photo is of an Elephant and her baby at Samburu Reserve in Kenya. This is one of those images with much detail within it. Even the blades of grass are curled up like elephant's trunks. I recently enlarged it and printed it as a gift for someone and the details in the image just makes it more impactful. It's full of love and affection. Something that encompasses these magestic animals. The Elephants were truly amazing.
Both shots were taken with the awesome Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM.
#1
Natural harmony...
If there's ever been a memorable moment in my life it was this one. What can I say? Sometimes nature gives us the perfect moment. This group of giraffes was about a half mile from where I was hiking at the edge of Lake Naivasha. It was just after sunrise on a dewy morning when I noticed the giraffes in the distance. I didn't think much at the time, all my attention was on the hippos that were in the water just to the right of the frame (Lake Naivasha is known for being home to Hippos).
But curiosity got the best of this family. They wanted to see what all the commotion was about. So they walked right up to me. It was magical. Led by their father and their mother, they gracefully just walked up right beside me to drink water at the lake's edge. It was at this moment when everything came together.
It became my favorite photo I've taken in years. The composition, the colors, exposure, and the essence of the experience was captured in this single frame. Often, I tell people that in a photo, if you can capture movement in nature, it can lead to a powerful image. This image did just that.
As humans, our eyes naturally gravitate from left to right (just like we read). So psychologically, anything with that movement is normally most appealing to our minds. In this image, not only are the giraffes moving left to right but the whole frame is, in a stroke of pure luck, mimicking that motion.
Notice how the clouds follow the flow, almost like they are shadowing each and every giraffe. The pyramid effect almost looks fake. Even the plants and land are flowing left to right; But not everything can flow that direction. Something has to balance it or our minds literally get bored or confused.
Look closely and you will see one thing flowing right to left. The shadow.
It's falling from right to left and has balanced the photo to perfection. Without getting too psychological with it, it creates the balance our mind needs to make the image most appealing to our eyes.
So that's it. More travel in 2013 is planned. Perhaps back to Africa, maybe Iceland, or maybe Alaska...where ever I go, one thing is for sure. I'm going to have that Canon 5D iii and 7D at my side. :-)
-cg
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Top 10 Images of the Year: 10-6
Someone asked me recently, "What's your favorite photo you've taken this year?". I thought to myself, "Wow, that's a good question". I've never really given that much thought. My 'photo of the year' is what I would call it right?
This past year has been a unique year for me. I've shot my fair share of weddings, portraits, and even headshots (There are actually many wedding/portraits I've taken for clients that are among my favorites but for privacy reasons I can't share). But my favorite type of photography has always been landscape and nature photography.
Sure I love weddings and portraits and emotions you can capture within them, that's what pays the bills; but landscape and nature is what's most fullfilling (artistically speaking). Perhaps it's my love for the earth and nature. Or maybe it's just because I love life and the beauty nature gives us. Regardless, when I look back. Most of my favorite photos of the year were taken in nature. In the bare elements of what Earth provides us.
I went to Kenya, Africa in 2012. So naturally, many of my favorite moments where captured there. But not all...:-)
So here's my Top 10 Images of the year and a little bit about them.
#10
Point Dume at Sunset.
#9
Alda & Mommy
What can you say? Alda and Beinta are just perfect photo subjects. There was so much joy in Mommy and Daughter that capturing moments with them is almost too natural. But this portrait in particular made my Top 10 because it's full of love. We grabbed a chair, sat it in their yard, and this was the first image captured. It was all we needed to capture their grace, elegance, beauty and love. Taken with a Canon 5D Mark iii and 70-200mm 2.8.
#8
Lines at the Pier
I've always loved leading lines. In fine art, it's a powerful element of composition. One of my goals in the past year was to pursue photography from a fine art state of mind. To find images that aren't solely landscapes or nature in style; something that can serve as an art piece for any room. I captured this image underneath the Malibu Pier. Often times, you get caught up in the whole picture and neglect the small things. I see photographers at the pier photographing the whole scene, but nearly always missing the art that exists in the small details. This is a 1.5 second exposure with a -3 ND filter. It helped me capture the motion in the water, and the hard lines in the pier. Taken with Canon 5D Mark iii and 70-200mm 2.8.
#7
Amazing Grace
I'm not a morning person, but on this particular morning in January, I happened to look outside to one of the prettiest sunrises I'd ever seen. I had my camera on a tripod already from shoot the night before so it was easy. I put some slippers on and rushed down to the beach just as the sun slid over Los Angeles.
# 6
The King
This was the closest I'd ever been to a Lion. This guy was only 15 feet from me near a bush in the Masai Mara, Kenya. Having searched for a lion for a whole day without so much seeing one big cat, this guy sneaked up on us at the least expected time. The safari vehicle had just been stuck in the mud and minutes after I helped push the vehicle out, this lion appeared. Perhaps he was curious. Perhaps he was hungry. Either way, good thing I was safely in the vehicle when he showed up. I snapped hundreds of photos of him while he roamed around the vehicle. Little did I know, his lioness, was laying in the bush nearby.
Tomorrow I will count down my Top 5...-cg
This past year has been a unique year for me. I've shot my fair share of weddings, portraits, and even headshots (There are actually many wedding/portraits I've taken for clients that are among my favorites but for privacy reasons I can't share). But my favorite type of photography has always been landscape and nature photography.
Sure I love weddings and portraits and emotions you can capture within them, that's what pays the bills; but landscape and nature is what's most fullfilling (artistically speaking). Perhaps it's my love for the earth and nature. Or maybe it's just because I love life and the beauty nature gives us. Regardless, when I look back. Most of my favorite photos of the year were taken in nature. In the bare elements of what Earth provides us.
I went to Kenya, Africa in 2012. So naturally, many of my favorite moments where captured there. But not all...:-)
So here's my Top 10 Images of the year and a little bit about them.
#10
Point Dume at Sunset.
I took this image with a -4 Graduated ND Filter in April 2012 using a Canon 7D. I've always loved photographing Point Dume, but like El Matador, it's been photographed so many times, by so many photographers, that it's hard to capture an image you haven't seen before. I've returned many times to capture Point Dume in my open unique way. I think I captured it in April 2012 it it's full glory. This 15 second exposure, with the last rays of light on the rock, the pink skies, perfect waves, and the converging leading lines, are the essence of Point Dume.
Alda & Mommy
What can you say? Alda and Beinta are just perfect photo subjects. There was so much joy in Mommy and Daughter that capturing moments with them is almost too natural. But this portrait in particular made my Top 10 because it's full of love. We grabbed a chair, sat it in their yard, and this was the first image captured. It was all we needed to capture their grace, elegance, beauty and love. Taken with a Canon 5D Mark iii and 70-200mm 2.8.
#8
Lines at the Pier
I've always loved leading lines. In fine art, it's a powerful element of composition. One of my goals in the past year was to pursue photography from a fine art state of mind. To find images that aren't solely landscapes or nature in style; something that can serve as an art piece for any room. I captured this image underneath the Malibu Pier. Often times, you get caught up in the whole picture and neglect the small things. I see photographers at the pier photographing the whole scene, but nearly always missing the art that exists in the small details. This is a 1.5 second exposure with a -3 ND filter. It helped me capture the motion in the water, and the hard lines in the pier. Taken with Canon 5D Mark iii and 70-200mm 2.8.
#7
Amazing Grace
I'm not a morning person, but on this particular morning in January, I happened to look outside to one of the prettiest sunrises I'd ever seen. I had my camera on a tripod already from shoot the night before so it was easy. I put some slippers on and rushed down to the beach just as the sun slid over Los Angeles.
# 6
The King
This was the closest I'd ever been to a Lion. This guy was only 15 feet from me near a bush in the Masai Mara, Kenya. Having searched for a lion for a whole day without so much seeing one big cat, this guy sneaked up on us at the least expected time. The safari vehicle had just been stuck in the mud and minutes after I helped push the vehicle out, this lion appeared. Perhaps he was curious. Perhaps he was hungry. Either way, good thing I was safely in the vehicle when he showed up. I snapped hundreds of photos of him while he roamed around the vehicle. Little did I know, his lioness, was laying in the bush nearby.
Tomorrow I will count down my Top 5...-cg
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Evening at El Matador
So I've been neglecting the blog for a while but hopefully with the coming year I can stay more active on here. The reality is that between shooting, editing, and booking, it's tough to keep the blog up to date. Maybe this will be a good new years resolution...keep the blog updated! :-)
El Matador:
This evening I took a stroll to El Matador Beach. I happened to be driving by and noticed the clouds and sun behind the clouds might lead to one of those awesome colorful Malibu sunsets. It's been raining for days (what feels like weeks) in LA recently, so it's been tough to go out a photograph anything for that matter. But this evening was very calm. No wind, and I was really hoping for a rainbow. I didn't get the rainbow, nor did I get those awesome colors, but I did get a few shots that got my creative juices flowing again.
But there was a slight problem. I didn't have my lens of choice with me. I had the camera, Canon 5D Mark iii, but not my favorite landscape lens; the 16-35mm. In my bag, I always have a few filters. And in the bag tonight I only had my -4 ND filter. But it wasn't the right ring size for the 24-105 lens I had on the camera. So I still used the filter, but had to handhold it in front of the lens when I shot.
El Matador Beach is an iconic beach. It's frequented by so many photographers and there are so many photos of it, that I really am not that attracted to shooting there anymore. It's also one of those places that I never ever leave feeling I've captured a really good photograph. In the coming weeks I'm going to be coming back to El Matador until I get a shot worthy of feeling good about. I will of course share those images regardless of quality.
Here's a few images from today. All using 200ISO and long exposure times. -cg
El Matador:
This evening I took a stroll to El Matador Beach. I happened to be driving by and noticed the clouds and sun behind the clouds might lead to one of those awesome colorful Malibu sunsets. It's been raining for days (what feels like weeks) in LA recently, so it's been tough to go out a photograph anything for that matter. But this evening was very calm. No wind, and I was really hoping for a rainbow. I didn't get the rainbow, nor did I get those awesome colors, but I did get a few shots that got my creative juices flowing again.
But there was a slight problem. I didn't have my lens of choice with me. I had the camera, Canon 5D Mark iii, but not my favorite landscape lens; the 16-35mm. In my bag, I always have a few filters. And in the bag tonight I only had my -4 ND filter. But it wasn't the right ring size for the 24-105 lens I had on the camera. So I still used the filter, but had to handhold it in front of the lens when I shot.
El Matador Beach is an iconic beach. It's frequented by so many photographers and there are so many photos of it, that I really am not that attracted to shooting there anymore. It's also one of those places that I never ever leave feeling I've captured a really good photograph. In the coming weeks I'm going to be coming back to El Matador until I get a shot worthy of feeling good about. I will of course share those images regardless of quality.
Here's a few images from today. All using 200ISO and long exposure times. -cg
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