Slow Down
Since a young age, we are taught to value speed and getting things done quickly, forging ahead at a frantic pace – after all doing is more valuable than being, right? Yet as we surge forward in search of some elusive sense of fulfillment, we often find ourselves feeling strangely disconnected….we fail to notice the simple beauty of living. When we learn to slow down, we rediscover the significance of seemingly inconsequential aspects of life. In essence, we give ourselves the gift of time—time to indulge our curiosity, to enjoy the moment, to appreciate worldly wonders, to sit and think, to connect with others, and to explore our inner landscapes more fully. A life savored slowly does not need to be passive, inefficient, or slothful. Conducting ourselves at a slower pace enables us to be selective in how we spend our time and to fully appreciate each passing moment.
This is a shot from La Jolla, California. We spent hours exploring the area, thinking of where the sun was eventually going to set, looking for interesting foreground and background and just taking in the briny smell of the sea, listening to the onrush of the waves and soaking in the sun. We waded through the surf to a lone rocky outcrop, set up our camera and tripod and waited patiently for the sun and the surf – this was not a one snap wonder but took place over the space of around 30 minutes. In the background you can see the Life Guard Towers at Children’s Pool where scores of seals bask in the sun and surf and give birth to their pups. You may also notice the huge waves as they are breaking, eventually sweeping into the cove (and inundating these Photographers in often thigh high water). The concept here was to contrast the dynamic rush of the waves with the tranquil descent of the sun at the end of another glorious day.
Living in The Now
Dont’ Let Yesterday use too much of Today
The past forms one parameter of our experience, while the future creates an area of hopes, dreams and wishes. We attempt to live today in between the two. If events of yesterday or tomorrow color today too much, today gets lost because time passes without conscious appreciation of what is happening now. If we invest in the future with many hopes, fantasies and dreams of what might be, we often overlook a present moment rich with its own gifts and beauty.
Being in the now sharpens our senses; our eyes to see and our ears to hear. We detect moments of opportunity with heightened senses, and we experience an enriched awareness of ourselves – our inner and outer motivations creating a more profound life. With this image at La Jolla Cove in California, one can hear almost hear the crashing of the distant waves and the swoosh of the outushing water revealing tranquility below in the tide pool.
Taken with a Nikon D90 and Sigma 10-20mm wide angle lens mounted on a tripod, using a slow shutter speed and a polarizing filter to pierce the reflections on the water, the intention was to capture dynamics of the ebb and flow of the sea.
Dont’ let yesterday use too much of today!
La Jolla Shores
This was shot close to sunset from La Jolla California. The waves were quite spectacular this day, so I wanted to get as close to the action as possible. Getting wet and sandy was part of the deal as many of the locations that were prime for shooting involved a bit of rock jumping, wading and being inundated by the pounding surf. This spot is also close to the La Jolla Underwater Park.
The San Diego-La Jolla Underwater Park spans 6,000 acres (24 km2) of ocean bottom and tidelands. The park has become a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. The park was created by the City of San Diego in 1970 and actually has two other parks within it: the Ecological Reserve and the Marine Life Refuge.
Within the underwater park are two artificial reefs, created to attract and enhance marine life. The first was built in 1964 with Santa Catalina quarry rock dumped in 70 feet (21 m) of water near Scripps Canyon. The second was started in 1975 and is located at a depth of 40 feet (12 m) just offshore from Black’s Beach.
From La Jolla Shores, the ocean bottom slopes gently out to sea. The reefs keep the waves minimal, making this an entry point for divers and kayakers. Kelp beds on the outer edges of the slope are popular fishing spots and great for observing seals, dolphins, birds and fish.
Beyond the slope the bottom takes a sudden and 500-foot (150 m) deep plunge into the La Jolla Canyon. The canyon reaches depths of 600 feet (180 m) within the park. The abrupt drop and abundance of marine life help to explain why migrating whales can often be spotted close to shore. www.kerstenbeck.com
Sunset in La Jolla
All Quiet On The Western Front
This is another shot of a spectacular sunset in La Jolla Cove in San Diego, California. The waves were actually quite large this day but they were smoothed out using a long shutter speed. In the distance is the La Jolla Children’s Pool which has an interesting history!
Children’s Pool Beach, also known as Casa Beach, is a small sandy beach located at 850 Coast Boulevard, at the end of Jenner Street, in La Jolla, California.
A sea wall was built in 1931 to protect the beach from waves, making it a prime spot for divers and swimmers. Before the wall was built, there was a shallow water area between a large rock and mainland called “Seal Rock Point”.
Seal Rock Point has always been Home for a seal population. The first mention by the City of seals was in 1992 when it was noted that the population had greatly expanded. So, they created a Marine Mammal Reserve, the border of which was close to The Children’s Pool.
In September 1997 the city closed The Children’s Pool because of high fecal counts (seals, not Children). This sparked a debate about whether the seals should be removed. Seals? Children? Marine Sanctuary? Swimming Hole? It was somehow decided that this was a Seal Rookery and they should not be disturbed. A yellow Police Tape line was erected around the proud Father Seals, Mothers and Pups!
As of late, about 200 harbour seals use the beach regularly, as do THEIR Children! They have become a popular tourist attraction. So the seals remain and so do the Politicians with their endless debates. www.kerstenbeck.com
Nightly Image: La Jolla Cove, San Diego
Erik Gets Wet Again
I love shooting the tidepools at La Jolla, or anywhere for that matter, so many details in the foreground and sweeping Coastlines. Taken with a Nikon D90, 10mm lens , tripod, 3 shot HDR, mirror up, live view, remote release, wet shoes!
more at http://www.kerstenbeck.com
Bonus Image of the Day: La Jolla Cove, San Diego, CA
La Jolla Cove is one of the coolest places in San Diego. Good places to eat, Galleries, Sushi and the views of the Ocean! I spent 2 hours dodging the incoming High Tide to get this sunset…returned with soaked shoes and pants..well worth it!
Photographer About to Get Wet
Kerstenbeck Photographic Art 