Sunset Watch

Long Pier

I was reading about adding "pop" into your photo. The author suggested adding a new layer in PS CS3 and sliding the opacity level to 50%. I did this to this photo and, sure enough, it did add a little zip. I made another layer and adjusted the Levels also. This photo is a composite of the 3 layers.

Longest and Hottest Day

Today was the longest day of the year and, in Los Angeles, one of the hottest days of the year.

These photos represent the farthest north the sun sets in Hermosa Beach. The sun is setting down on the Santa Mountains just over Malibu.

I most have taken over 50 photos of this sunset and, honestly, every one was great. I had a tough job narrowing it down for this blog version.

Balancing Act

I waited almost a year for this day. I knew the sun was at the point where it would present itself just over the Hermosa Beach pier prior to setting. I wanted to capture that moment.

I did so in near perfect balance. It took several shots to get it right. I would take a shot, view it in my camera's LCD and reposition myself for another shot. After around 5 shots, I go the one I wanted.

I walked to the end of the pier only to find the sun balancing itself on the pier's railing. I quickly took this shot and captured another nearly perfectly balanced shot.

I like the balance and symmetry of these photos and found a theme for today's posting -- a balancing act.