Originally shot for the Portrait from Behind challenge, but I went with another image from the same session which was more of a portrait than this.
When the challenge was announced, an image immediately popped into my mind: a beautiful woman faces the ocean as the sun sets on her right, warming the tips of the waves and the folds of her flowing dress with tinges of gold and pink and brightness. Between her and the water on her left, a full-length mirror, reflecting her pretty face. I’d be using an off-camera flash to fill in the left side. There would be mist coming off the curling waves. I’d win the blue.
The model was called, the time was set, the location determined. And then… the rain moved in. The shoot vacillated between on, and off, and rescheduling. I was game if the model was. She was. Then she wasn’t. Then I wasn’t. Then she was. It wouldn’t be any better the next day, she said, and she wasn’t afraid of a little rain. Fine. Shoot was back on. I loaded up the car with my tripod, a light stand, a bag full of wardrobe, my camera bag, my camera, the mirror, and a broom to lean it on if need be.
On the drive to the beach, I heard that this storm system was the biggest one of the year. Great. Just great. I vaguely worried about my equipment. But I knew what I was going for so it would be a quick and dirty (and wet) job. I got there a bit early, intending to park on the pier and scope out the right spot on the sand; the pier parking was full, however, and I ended up having to park under and to the left of the pier. This would prove to be a pivotal development. But it was a very gray and dull day - I worried that the images would be useless.
I got out of the car and miraculously, the rain had all but stopped. Very minor and timid sprinkling. I tucked my camera under my rainbreaker and headed out. I walked on the sand along the left side of the pier, instead of the right, which is what I had originally envisioned. I explored the nether regions of the pylons which was moody and mysterious. I’ll definitely return here for other shoots.
Then I turned towards the water and noticed a man putting the finishing touches on his meditation maze. And I knew that this would be the location of my shoot. Had I gotten everything my way, I would have missed this treasure.
When Heidi arrived, she brought this umbrella with her. More serendipity. She changed and we schlepped down to the beach, lugging all my equipment (none of which I used except for my camera). The rain picked up again – not torrential, but significantly. My baby was getting wet and now I got anxious. But we were here, and the longer I took, the wetter it would get, so I started shooting. And had the most productive shoot EVER. In the end, my image looked NOTHING like I had imagined (except that it was at the beach). I don’t know if it will do well, but I love it.
Convert from RAW
Denoised
Sharpened
Adjusted levels, contrast, vibrance
Curves
Two layers of 50% gray for vignetting and dodge & burn.
Sharpened
Saved for web.
So here's another uncommented photo that was among my picks in the "Pick your fav image from the person above you" side challenge several years back. This week I had the realization that "picking a favorite" should include a comment about why. So I'm back over the last 1600+ posts to make amends for my omission. Here's my belated comment:
I grew up at the beach near San Clemente and will always be drawn to the ocean, the shore, and the sea. This photo (and the story you posted about it) is wonderful. Full of spirit and whimsy. And as with your others, it holds up well to time.
Congratulations on your image. Really beautiful. Talk about timing. How lucky can you be that there was someone actully creating a detailed maze like that. Pretty A-Mazing. :)
Wonderful story of of how you found this amazing recreation of the Chartres Cathedral meditation labyrinth! Isn't it great when everything comes together for a shot? :-)
Congratulations on 12th place and a nice score for your lovely image!
Johanna, congrats on being in the right place to find this treasure! Don't you just love it when the Muse comes along to show you another vision:-) Serendipity at it's best; loved the backstory as how this was achieved. Congrats on such a great image - love the way the woman holds her shelter (love umbrellas) as she faces the great unknown. The maze and the waves of the ocean make me think of life and time. Of course, it would still be interesting to see if you can capture your original vision;-)
oh .. when i wrote my comment i hadnt read yours .. how wonderful that everything turned out to be absolutely perfect .. and the design in the sand .. someone up there really likes you .. !!!..:)
What can I say except that your skill and good fortune with several factors paid off nicely! It's a very special shot, and so unique. Some days, no matter how it looks going in, life is good.
johanna .. i'm so excited for you .. CONGRATULATIONS on such an awesome place in the free study and a PB .. FAR OUT .. !!!..:) .. would love to give you a big congratulatory hug .. :)x
Wow, so many fantastic images from one shoot! Thanks for explaining the story. It reflects many of my own, where I start out with one thing in mind and then life twists, and I end up with something magical. :)
Congrats on your image and your ranking, and your new personal best!
OOOH lookit you.. I was in awe of this couldn't wait to see who did it! AND how did you keep your (for lack of a better word) crop circles so perfect! Congratulations Well done!
Congratulations! What a lovely serendipitous shot with a wonderful score and placing in a free study to go with it. Thanks to the gentleman who made the maze, too - perfect!
Just amazing! I love the bizarreness in this photograph, everything is interesting. I can not think of a single thing that I do not like about this photograph. It just all works for me. 9
this is just lovely! the dress color against the natural hues, the tilt of the umbrella, the diagonal shoreline, the layers of muted blues, and that insteresting sanskrit-like writing in the sand... all pull this together into a peaceful, wonderful, and elegantly composed photograph!
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