Topic: Monterey Calif. (Read 9330 times)

GeraldB · « **on:** February 26, 2011, 09:58:06 pm »

I'm going to be in Monterey, California in April for a week. Looking for good locations to shoot. I've heard Big Sur is very spectacular. Any specific part or any other ideas? Have not had a chance to shoot the sea since I got back into photography 3 years ago, so quite excited by the whole thing.

Lisa Nikodym · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2011, 11:15:00 am »

Even closer than Big Sur is Point Lobos State Reserve, which has some gorgeous coastline:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=571
(That web site's photos really don't do it justice, but it will tell you more about it.)

At Big Sur, the one "don't miss" place is Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, where a waterfall falls onto the beach. (Short walk to a popular viewpoint, usually full of photographers...)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Pfeiffer_Burns_State_Park
There's also a park with redwoods, not a good as the ones further north, but still worth it if you've never been in a redwood forest before. (Pfieffer Big Sur State Park)

If you're in Big Sur, the legendary restaurant Nepenthe is highly recommended. Great food, great atmosphere (funky), great view of the coast if you're at a good table.
http://www.nepenthebigsur.com/

Lisa

GeraldB · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2011, 02:33:25 pm »

Thanks for the tips Lisa. I'll be sure to add these to the agenda. The restaurant looks great too.

aross007 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2011, 10:33:14 pm »

Echo Lisa's suggestion of Point Lobos, although you cannot get in early or stay until Sunset - frustrating.

On your way down to Big Sur, turn up Palo Colorado Canyon and drive about a half mile - the contrast in landscape will be striking. Also stop on Windy Point and take the obligatory shot of Bixby Bridge.

If you want to go upscale from Nepenthe, try the restaurant at Ventana. If you are on an expense account or independantly wealthy (or really want to treat yourself,) try to get a reservation at the Post Ranch.

Continue south from Big Sur as far as the Coast Gallery (another few miles, the Coast Gallery is the one in the old wooden water tanks.) When you get there, check it out - some interesting stuff. Then turn back north about one or two headlands to the one with the a-frame house out on the point. Stop and check out the point, the rocks, and around and above you. There are usually California Condors about.

Hope this helps,
Alan

aaross.zenfolio.com

Paul Sumi · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2011, 10:39:49 pm »

I may be mistaken, but I thought I heard that Pt Lobos is now open until sunset?

Another restaurant suggestion is Fishwife, near Asilomar.

Paul

aross007 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2011, 11:03:22 pm »

Paul - thanks, I'd given up on looking. According to the link Lisa posted, the hours are now 8:00 am to 1/2 hour after sunset.

If we get to suggest Monterey restaurants, I'll add Passionfish, Monterey Fish House, Grasing's, and a new favorite, Basil.

Alan

GeraldB · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2011, 09:57:43 am »

Thanks for all the detailed suggestions. Will look into the restaurants as well for sure.

Looking at Google Earth and the way the sun falls (after the spring equinox) I guess sunrises are not the thing. As far as I can tell the sun will be coming up over the mountains so will not hit the coastline until its quite high. The sunsets should give an opportunity for some good color and/or lighting in the water and rocks.

Another iconic type shot I'm looking for (being a sea starved inlander) are piers. I suppose there are plenty in that area.

thanks
Gerald

GeraldB · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2011, 10:05:34 am »

Alan, I had a look at your Zenfolio site. Great shots. I also use Zenfolio. You've done a nice job of setting up your front page, something I need to look into as well.

I like the condor shots and was surprised to see an antenna attached to its wing. I guess that is how they "ring" them.

Rocco Penny · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2011, 10:16:04 am »

I never hear anyone talk about the National forest South and East of Monterey.
The Santa Lucia Mountains, and the Los Padres National Forest along with the Ventana wilderness are no less spectacular than some of our better known parks and forests.
If you take the time, and camping is on your list,
I highly recommend a night above the Bay.
If you spend some time you can find sweeping vistas, wildlife, flowers too numerous to mention.
If you know likely habitat, butterflies will be around.
I'm not mentioning the beaches too much, but if you go, try and find a non-pay spot with rocks to increase the chances of wildlife captures
light can be difficult- so is waiting for low tide at dawn or dusk
Go to Moss Landing and see if there are any otters about-
there will be some fishing vessels and so on,
right now there should be plenty of fields being grown and harvested.
I really don't care for crowds so can't tell you how great a place Cannery Row or any of the other usual places might be,
but I can say you should get a taste of the galleries, museums, and exhibits Monterey has to offer.
It really has a charm all its own.
Get off the beaten path is my best advice
Used book stores-
Also look up Camera West

Paul Sumi · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2011, 11:12:13 am »

Quote from: GeraldB on February 28, 2011, 09:57:43 am

Looking at Google Earth and the way the sun falls (after the spring equinox) I guess sunrises are not the thing. As far as I can tell the sun will be coming up over the mountains so will not hit the coastline until its quite high. The sunsets should give an opportunity for some good color and/or lighting in the water and rocks.

Slightly OT, but if you are interested to know the time and direction of sunrise and sunset for specific locations and dates, the Photographer's Ephemeris is a great tool:

http://photoephemeris.com/

Paul

GeraldB · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2011, 02:24:24 pm »

Thanks Rocco, I'll not be able to camp but I'll check out the other parks you mention. BTW Camera West has closed in Monterey. I read somewhere that there is a gallery with some Ansel Adams photos in Monterey. I'll definately go looking for that.

Paul, I've bought (for a whole 99c) the Sunrise Photography compass from riaproject.com for my iphone. Its quite basic but probably enough.

thanks for the suggestions

Gerald

Davaliao · « **Reply #11 on:** March 01, 2011, 04:03:03 am »

good luck to you ， hope you will have A amazing travel ,you know after a long time work , i good holiday travel will be like a dream

aross007 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 01, 2011, 07:03:12 pm »

Gerald,

All of the Condors have tags, I'm not sure whether they all also have built in radios.

As you deduced, the left coast can be problematic at sunrise. The waterfront in Pacific Grove and Cannery Row is worth looking at - it faces more or less north, and there are areas that get early light. The wine country on the west side of the Salinas Valley (hwy 68 east from Monterey to River Road and then go south) may be promising, and if you go far enough you can connect to Carmel Valley road to make a circle, and at least get a feel for the areas that Rocco was talking about (without camping.)

Thanks for the comments on the Zenfolio site.

Alan

BradSmith · « **Reply #13 on:** March 01, 2011, 08:59:12 pm »

Closer in, there are a couple other excellent opportunities that you can't pass up. First is the Monterey Bay Aquarium. You can get some great photos there through the walls of the aquarium's tanks. Closeups of brilliantly colored anemone's and sea fans. Jellyfish that are absolutely stunning. etc

Then, you have to take the 17 mile drive along the coast around the Monterey Peninsula through the Pebble Beach property. Many places to park right along the water's edge with access to beaches that have many great photo opportunities.

One last thing. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions. There may be fog one minute and then sun the next then fog again. And often the sunsets are "spoiled" by the fog bank that seems to hang a few miles out to sea. But with the fog, comes the chance of great lighting in the Monterey Cypress grove areas.

It is one of my favorite areas.

Brad

GeraldB · « **Reply #14 on:** March 01, 2011, 09:41:02 pm »

Oh my gosh, I'm going to have to stay longer

bobtowery · « **Reply #15 on:** March 20, 2011, 11:57:02 am »

Definitely go to Nepenthe! Get the cookbook/storybook if you like to cook.

Garrapata Beach, just south of Monterey.

Point Pinos lighthouse in Monterey. Kind of serendipity shot. I went to visit/shoot the lighthouse, but it was closed. Chain link fence. I was kinda frustrated and said "well, I have to take at least one shot of the dang thing." Took this with a short telephoto. Sorta glad it was closed!

Postcard shot, but still nice to look at. Evening light. This is Lover's Point, right by the lighthouse. Even if you don't shoot it, it's a beautiful spot to see the Pacific at her best.

The Bixby Bridge, super famous of course. But you won't get this POV from the car!

Enjoy the magnificent coast, it's really special.

BradSmith · « **Reply #16 on:** March 20, 2011, 01:50:57 pm »

Landslide - Note that there has been a landslide that has closed Hwy 1 just north of the Bixby Bridge. See another post in this forum on the subject.

GeraldB · « **Reply #17 on:** March 20, 2011, 02:30:08 pm »

Brad, thanks for the heads up. Too bad, was planning on going south from Monterey to Big Sur and the parks.

Bob, those are brilliant photo's. I love the first one with the great complementary colours and dramatic sea stack.

Gerald

EinstStein · « **Reply #18 on:** March 20, 2011, 05:39:13 pm »

There are a lot of picturesque chance just within Montery and Carmel downtown. In Carmel, don't stay in the main street, wondering around the little restaurants behind the main street, you'll find a lot surprises. Between Montery and Carmel, spend a couple hours at the old Carmel mission.

Then spend at least half a day in Point Lobos, approaching the China beach, for example, it's the season for the Zeal puppies. Bring a good binoculars and a good tele-lens.

EricChi · « **Reply #19 on:** March 21, 2011, 11:39:07 pm »

Check out the road condition for highway 1. I remembered read last week that there was a rock slide somewhere in Big Sur and that section of Highway 1 was blocked indefinitely.

Eric

Author Topic: Monterey Calif. (Read 9330 times)