DAY'S END

Canon EOS Rebel XS, Promaster 19-35 lens @ 19mm, ISO 100, f/16, 1/30 sec

  Crystal Pier was a goldmine of images. Starting with the rain forcing Erik Kerstenbeck and myself under the pier to find kelp, long exposures, some guys eager to get their picture taken, and a couple of soakers when the waves got to high.
  As the rain moved out and gave way to an incredible sunset, we ventured out from under the pier to photograph some outstanding cloud/sun formations. After a storm is usually the best time to get dramatic clouds and light, especially in the evening and morning hours. The low sun casts golden light against the underside of the clouds and this against a deep blue sky is phenomenal.  Throw the Pacific Ocean surf and Crystal Pier in the mix and you just can't ask for anything better.
  As the sun got lower to the horizon, the interference with the clouds exaggerated the light coming off the sun and made for some awesome natural sunbursts. The image in today's post is an HDR tonemapped shot, courtesy of brother Jim, where the sunburst occurred right at the end of Crystal Pier. I positioned myself so that would happen without knowing that I was going to get a reflection of that sunburst in the wet sand of the surf.
  After the sun dipped below the horizon, the orange and pink colors shined bright against the quickly moving clouds. It was a tremendous sunset and opportunity for photography.