November's End

November was a great month for my photography and I am sad to see it end. I only hope the rest of the winter is fruitful.

Cresent Above the Pier

This evening's sunset was absent of any clouds so I took advantage of the cresent moon above the pier. I waited about 20 minutes after the sun set for the light and color to be right. Just as someone approached the moon, I snapped this shot.

Happy Thanksgiving

A Banner Day

Today was a great photography day. A storm rolled in and dropped an inch of rain last night. Early in the morning I walked the neighborhood looking for nice flowers to shoot. I haven't done this in 2 years as there was little rain last year.





In the afternoon, large clouds filled the sky and I pulled out the IR camera. I haven't done that in 4 months. The winter sun angle was not good for IR but I shot some photos anyways.



I went to Manhattan Beach Pier hoping to capture a great sunset. I was disappointed so I stitched together a panorama of the stormy sky. 3 photo opportunities in one day left me exhausted but excited.

Worth Waiting For

I always hear stories from famous photographers about bad weather photo shoots. They tell a story about how everyone gave up for the day but they waited for something to happen. Miraculously, the skies opened up and the photo of a lifetime emerged.

Having heard that enough, it is engraved into my head. Today was one of those days. Clouds rolled in early and swallowed the sun and sky. I trekked down to beach anyways as I knew the sky would part for a spectacular sunset. My hunch paid off as it was one the best of the season. Too bad I wasn't smart enough to stitch a panorama shot together.

Family Time

This past week has been a bonanza of sunsets. In this photo, I captured several people in action. The lifeguard to the right is closing up for the day and a family spends time swinging during the last glimpse of daylight.

Panoramic of the Fires

This is a composite of 4 photos. I merge these to give a good representation of the smoke clouds the fires sent to the Pacific.

Firestorms

The fires in southern California have created a hazy, smoke layer in the sky diffusing the sunlight. Sunsets are spectacular as a soft golden light warms the sky.

Wildfires in California

Living in the South Bay area of Southern California, I'm indirectly effected when wildfires rage. The recent Santa Ana wind conditions caused hurricane speed winds ripping through neighboring cities, resulting in devastating fire damage, Today, in the beach cities, we watched the skies become murky with smoke. Ashes fell like snow.

Before the fallout began, it was just another beautiful day at the beach. I rode north on the oceanside bikepath for my usual weekend ride to Playa del Rey.

At that point, as I headed for home, I was shocked to see the smoke eerily rolling in across the sky.

A few wildfires began today about 40 or so miles away. With the Santa Ana winds blowing from east to west, much of the smoke headed this way.

This shot is looking toward Palos Verde with Catalina Island at the end. It highligts the smoke cloud layer that formed this evening.

Veteran's Day

As we celebrate the great sacrifice our veteran's gave this nation, God blessed us with the most spectacular sunset I have seen in a long time.

I couldn't resist photographing this young girl swinging in the twilight.


This one captures the intense colors that painted the sky.

Monday's Gift

Monday afternoon looked promising and I trekked to the pier. Scattered clouds created a beautiful sunset and a splended start to the week.

A Great Season Start

I've waited since early last April for this time of year and it has paid off. The last three days' sunsets have been spectacular. They have overwhelmed me.


Today I headed for 8th Street and shot these people playing volleyball. It made for a nice shot while I waited for the sunset.



I walked to the pier and found a few people fishing off the side. I took a few shots and settled on this one for uploading.

This a great start to the winter sunsets and I know there will only be more ahead of me. I look forward to the daily walk to the beach to capture the moment.

And So It Begins

And so it begins. I have been waiting for the time change and the beginning of November. This marks the start of the sunset photo season for me. Storms and clouds start to add drama to each sunset.

Yesterday, a storm cleared out at sunset but I realized it to late. Tonight I caught the sunset but it wasn't much to brag about.

For the next four months, I should be at beach greeting all the great sunsets ahead. Stay tuned.