Uploads from ColetteSimonds

Montana De Oro

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:35:46 -0700

This was one of the last shots at Montana de Oro. I reluctantly left that beautiful rocky beach. When everybody decided the weather had not cooperated and that we wouldn't wait for sunset (as planned) we all basically packed up our stuff to leave. But, at the last minute, I noticed that the sky and the light had changed. I mentioned this to one of my group members who was walking with me. We decided that we had to capture that light. It was very different and I knew it would not last. There was a reddish glow in the sky. It was near sunset anyway, and I guess the sun was glowing through the heavy mist. It was very subtle, but you can see the slight purple color int he sky. This helped illuminate the rocks on the beach. Meanwhile, the rest of the group was waiting for us up on the path (I will show the image later). I think it was well worth making them wait ---- or was it?

Must be seen on black

Strange Rocks

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:20:03 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

Point Bouchon Trail, Montana de Oro State Park.

It's impossible not to stop for pictures along this wonderful trail. The rocks were just amazing. Those are sedimentary rocks that were tilted and then carved by the ocean. I will show many rocks!! They are part of the Monterey formation

Nicer on black, I think.

Lost in Thoughts

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:17:05 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

She was heading in the direction of her friend, the one from the earlier series. They eventually left together. Her arms were covered with tattoes (and her ankles too). Unfortunately I shot her from a bit too far, so I cropped this image. She seemed so lost in thoughts!

But seriously, I love the rocks on this beach!! The weather wasn't good, so I shot B&W. It suited better.

What do you want? (Part of the recent series I posted)

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:50:05 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

No comment.!

She finally saw me committing this crime. Not only did we all disturb her, but I have the nerves to take her picture. I ignored and pretended that I was shooting another spot!

I am Leaving! (4 of 4)

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:15:00 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

This image is part of a series I shot at this nice cove at Montana De Oro. This scene should have been on video, but I had no time to set it up.

This particular image is the last of the series, so I will call it #4. I'm not sure in which order you view those things.

I was in peace, but no more! (3 of 4)

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:14:55 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

Invasion by photographers.

On the left, Stephen with his D7000 who seems to be very much into it. On the right, another member of our group, whose name I forgot. This was a group of 16, and such a group can disturb anybody's peace.

I was in the back observing! This would have been a great video scene!

Finding Peace (2 of 4)

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:08:29 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

Image # 3 of the series.

This woman was sitting on the rocks enjoying herself before a bunch of photographers invaded the place. She even asked me if we were a large group. I told her that I am afraid we were!!!

She had not seen me capturing her because she never faced me.

Finding Peace (1 of 4)

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:00 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

Image # 4 of the series but that's the beginning of the series

Take a Seat

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:05:38 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

After most of us arrived at the campground in Morro Bay, we proceeded to go on a hike to Black Hill. The idea was to shoot the sunset. That was wishful thinking as the fog was very persistent. I'm thinking of how beautiful it would have been to watch the sunset from the high point of hour hike!! The sunset never happened.

The next morning we were supposed to get up at 5:00 am and hike up to watch the sunrise. I didn't even bother when I saw the thick fog!! Most of the group went to watch to fog! I decided that I could always do that a bit later....

In order to reach the trailhead, we crossed a part of this golf course by mistake (and somebody from the golf course reproached to us!). When I looked at this image, at home, I realized that I had left the ISO at 3200. I thought I read 200, which would have been what I wanted to use for this image!. I guess, I didn't look closely enough. I had experimented with high ISO at home. Of course, I had forgotten and that happens to me a lot. But there was a bit of forgiveness from the camera. Additionally, I had left my tripod behind around this spot, but fortunately we found it on the way back. And those were not the only mistakes I made during this outing!!

But you would think much more noise would have resulted from ISO 3200, but I don't see noise!

Nice on black as is the case for most images shot with this camera.

Weeds (Mustard - Brassica tournefortii) in the Mist

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:13:37 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

Sahara mustard (Brassica tournefortii) is an annual herb. Alien invasive plant.

Trying to make the most of the mist!

After I uploaded this image, I could see the dew drops in several places and it was a nice surprise.

Better on Black

Looking at the Dark Side -

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:41:50 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

I often see those beautiful sunrise/sunset images shot at the places I visited on the weekend. But most of the times I visited the Central Coast of California I found fog engulfing everything. And this was no exception. I guess people who shoot those sunrise/sunset live in the area.

This was a shot of the sun rising. I guess the darkness of those scenes conspired to match the mood I was in when I was there. It fitted well.

I shot this in "color", not monochrome, on purpose! I didn't want a black scene. The fog created a very interesting diffused light that I liked. I could relate to. I don't seem to get the light!!

I didn't modify this shot. It's straight out of the camera.

Looking at the Bright Side

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Mon, 13 May 2013 07:50:26 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

I spent the weekend hiking in Montana de Oro State Park with the Sierra Club Los Angeles Chapter Camera Committee. I thought I would learn the D7100 this way! It turned out that It was quite hard trying to learn the camera and being part of a group because I usually go by myself when I take a camera., Everybody was a seasoned photographer, and there were some professional photographers. For me, it's very difficult to be on a schedule. I am used to going with my camera alone and taking my time! So I made lots and lots of mistakes while rushing. There was no real pressure, but we needed to keep moving!

Additionally the weather was not good at all. We had a persistent coastal fog. The only possible pictures were those shot looking away from the ocean as in this case. Lighting conditions were particularly bad and even my companion photographers agreed that the light was way too flat and annoying.

Montana de Oro is a beautiful state park and I had not visited in many years. It has many hiking trails and I truly enjoyed it, and enjoyed the company of others during this weekend. I needed to lift my spirit and that was a good way to do it, even though I didn't bring back too many images.

And, by the way, I am going to have to learn this camera a bit more!!

This image looks nicer in blackbox.

Scene under the Pier on a gloomy Day.

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Thu, 09 May 2013 06:36:18 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

You have seen this place before. But what was unique about this time was the sight of those 3 ladies: A photographer, a lady being photographed (the one against the leg of the pier), and a third lady holding a recording device. I then assumed that the blond lady photographer was actually doing a video. She had some equipment in the back on the beach. It was an extremely gloomy day - you can see it - and normally it's not possible to get so close to those legs because of the waves, but on this day it was pretty quiet-and I thought I would briefly use my camera for this. I'm not sure it's really worth! Again, I didn't want to be seen, so I acted quickly.

Just posting stuff I didn't really want to post. I am still around, but not very inspired these days. I feel a bit photography dead, and have no desire to pick up a camera, even my great one!

Snowy Egret

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Sun, 05 May 2013 17:37:41 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

When the weather is particularly gloomy and nobody is around I come across some different wildlife. I am not sure what this bird is. It looks like a snowy Egret. I don't remember having seen this white bird on the beach. There were 2 of them. They didn't like me getting too close, which I was never able to do because they would fly away. They hopped from place to place on the beach and finally took off for good. It was shot at 200mm and cropped. That's the best I could do. But my P7700 is always so handy!

Just posting stuff I didn't really want to post. I am still around, but not very inspired these days.

Playing Around

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:04:48 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

This was my first shot with the D7100! I was going to delete this one, but maybe not! It's nicer viewed on black. I can't wait to take this camera on a real outing!

Playing Around!!

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:04:11 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

First images with the D7100. I had marked this for deletion, but I kept it!. Better in blackbox. Cant wait to take this one on a trip!!

Market Day

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Sat, 04 May 2013 07:12:42 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

I have been busy with video frame rates study so I had no time to use my camera for anything else than video stuff.

The other day I walked to the weekly market here in town. This is the only day when there is some sort of street life in this very, very sleepy town.

I didn't intend to shoot the trash can, no!!! I was trying to get the group of people eating at the table. But then I caught that lady on the right. Some of you might enjoy the sight. It was a very warm day as attested by her dress. But then, why is she wearing boots.

I used my new cam because I want to get used to the controls. But, really this is not meant to be my best pic!!! I do marvel at image quality though, even when I take silly pictures like that!

Happy Sidewalk Sunday

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:08:57 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

www.flickr.com/groups/2214097@N23/

Sidewalk on Main Street, El Segundo, California.

Elephant Seal Cove

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:55:51 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

You can now see the difference between shooting this as a still image and making a video. Which is more alive?? I would have included a more general scene like this in the video, but I was limited for flickr upload and didn't include it.

Years ago it was possible to get close to those seals. But now they have fenced the area because accidents happened (people getting a bit too close).

This one and the other one are the last 2 for this trip!

Douglas iris (Iris douglasiana) - Wild native

nobody@flickr.com (ColetteSimonds) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 07:30:20 -0700

ColetteSimonds posted a photo:

This is a pacific coast native flower that is found between Santa Barbara and the central coast of Oregon.

I found those Iris flowers on the path to the Headland at Andrew Molera State Park in Big Sur. I found this species mixed with other pretty yellow flowers. So I stopped for a few close up images. And, incidentally I saw 2 snakes on this path, but had no time to capture them. I wanted to include some macros on my video, but it wasn't possible for me to set up the tripod as the path was very narrow and some people were walking on the path with no room to go around me and my equipment...unless they were willing to take a plunge into the ocean!