A while back I had traveled to San Francisco for one of my Lightroom seminars. And just about every time I travel to San Francisco, I can’t resist the urge to head to the Big Sur coast. Now, I love just about any trip to Big Sur. But this particular trip was big for me because it was the first time (out of about 5 trips there), that it wasn’t totally fogged in. I’d had the worst luck in the past (no matter what time of year I went), but this trip worked out really well.
Anyway, I’m posting this in the “Latest Work” section because it’s a photo that I really just got around to processing. It’s from a place called McWay Falls in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. It was one of the top spots on my list that I’d always wanted to visit.
Getting There
Getting there was pretty easy. It’s right off the main road. I passed it the first time, but then I realized it’s right near a park sign so it wasn’t too bad. And it’s an easy walk too. It’s basically a paved path that runs along the rocks above. I’d give it a 1 out of 10 on the strenuous factor because it’s really close to where you park too.
Picking My Spot and Composition
McWay falls is really a sunset shooting spot. As you can see the sun sets off to the right of where you’re standing. At sunrise, you’d lose all of that nice golden light on the rocks. As for shooting and composition, I’ve seen a lot of different views. You’re behind a fence on the walkway and you’re not supposed to go over the fence. So you’re kinda limited in picking the right spot. Those fences are there for a reason and that’s so you don’t plummet to the beach below. There is a rocky/sandy area between the walkway and the edge, but it didn’t look very stable. Now, I was alone and there wasn’t anyone else out there. Had I been with some one, I may have hopped the fence (shhhh). But I figured since I was alone, if I did indeed plummet to the beach below, then absolutely nobody would know I was there. I realize I say that now, but after my experience on the rocks in Oregon last month (read about it here), I may rethink my fence jumping in the future as well 🙂
Anyway, I chose a spot closer to the falls (you can walk further away for difference vantage points). But I wanted to make the falls fairly large in the photo or else they get lost. Also, I wanted to include the beach as well as the water, so I chose my spot based on that. You also have the option to include the foreground rocky/sandy/gravely area, or not. I took a few photos both ways, but my favorite was a tighter shot on just the falls, beach, and water. While I’ve seen photos of some nice wildflowers in the foreground, I must not have been there at the right time of year because it was just dirt, ugly brush, and rocks.
[tw-divider]Click To See the Photo Larger[/tw-divider]
Photo Details:
Camera: Nikon D800
Lens: Nikon 16-35mm
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1 sec.
ISO: 100
Really Right Stuff TVC-33 and BH-55 Ballhead
Tiffen 3-stop ND Filter
Post Processing
This one took a bit of work which is probably why I never got around to processing it right away. There’s a lot going on with the exposure in the sky, trees, rocks, etc… Mostly I used Lightroom to open up the shadows on the rocks. I deliberately left the trees darker because they don’t add much to the scene. I warmed the photo a bit to bring out those warm colors on the ocean on the right. I also added some of onOne Perfect Effects with the Dynamic Contrast preset. I’m a total fanatic over that preset, so it gets used a lot.
Finally, I replaced the sky with a better one. Sorry for all of you purists out there, but I couldn’t resist. I originally thought I’d leave it as is (it’s just a clear sky), but then I found a sky from another photo that fit perfectly. In fact, I’m going to call it now and say this was probably my best sky replacement ever. I’m the one who did it and I’d swear it looks real. The only way most people would know it was replaced is because there’s absolutely no way in the world I’d have enough luck to get there on a day it wasn’t foggy AND get a great looking sunset as well 😉
What Would I Do Different?
If I were to go back there, I’d probably try to time it so there were wildflowers around and try to get them in the foreground. I’m a BIG foreground person, so it’s rare for me not to include something up front. Also, I let time get the best of me at the end of this shoot. I knew I had to drive back to San Francisco for a very early flight the next day. So as soon as the sun went down, I grabbed my gear and took off. But I love shooting at twilight. I often like the results of the blues and magentas more than the golden colors I got here. So I’d probably stick around longer and get the photo at twilight instead. That said, I do love the golden color that washes over the water on the right side so I’m not sure I’d like the twilight photo version any better.
Thanks for stopping by today. Have a good one!
Hey Matt, nice shot! I went to california in my vacation this year and I got one photo at this spot, lovely place!
Take a look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricardo_vaz/14367471519
Actually this photo was taken with the “new” nikon 18-35mm. I´ve sold my 16-35mm for this lens, with the help of your post… I’m loving the quality of this lens and I have the impression that the colors are even better than the nanocoated 16-35mm.
Great photo Ricardo! I love that lens by the way. Can’t beat it for the money and size 🙂
Matt – When I saw this image I had to do a double take! I shot this location back in 2006 in almost identical conditions! Nice image and absolutely great location. Thanks for sharing and keep the great posts coming.
Hi Matt, awesome pic! I had a quick question on the Big Stopper filter and Lee 105mm Polarizer you use. Do you usually zoom in a little to avoid the vignette at the wider 16-20mm zone? Or do you have any other tips to be able to shoot with this filter combo at 16mm. Thanks so much
Hey Luis – Yep, you have to zoom in a little to avoid vignettes. Personally, I don’t shoot at the VERY wide end of 16-35mm very much, but when I do, I get vignetting with it. Either fix it in post, or zoom in. Thx!
I have been enjoying your posts for a while. Love this photo with most realistic processing. I’ll be taking your crash Lightroom course in September. Looking forward to it.
Thanks Marina – looking forward to seeing you in September!
Good so see you finally got to see the place without the fog.
You of anyone knows my pain Howard 🙂
Hey Matt!, is there any class in kelbyone on how to replace skies this perfectly? , or could you do a quick tutorial on how you did it here? I want to learn this so badly… Thanks!
That’s ‘lines’ not “lives”.
Sweet shot. Would love to had a few lives about your PP approach / steps.
Hey Ken – Thanks. I just added a section in to the post about how I processed the photo. Great idea 🙂
Lovely shot of the falls. I’ll be visting the falls and Big Sur in a few weeks. Hope my shots come out as great as yours. Think I’ll try your twilight shot as well. 🙂
Great! Post a photo somewhere and let me know if you get a good shot at twilight. Would love to see it.
Stunning shot. You make it sound and look so easy. Would love to get to theses locations someday.
Thanks Shireen – Honestly, you hit the nail on the head with the last part of your comment. Getting to these locations is the hardest part. I’m lucky because my work takes me to some neat places, so I have a bit of an advantage. Best thing you can do is try to pick a spot somewhat near your home (maybe a few hours drive), and do it. I shoot a lot around home just practicing, and sometimes you’ll be surprised at some of the things that are near you. Good luck! 🙂
Hi Matt,
Gorgeous shot! A few weeks ago, we drove up the coast from LA to Oregon and had perfect weather as well. I was looking forward to photographing the mist but we had darn sunshine every day. Good reason to go back!
Kelly
Sounds like you have my luck when it comes to weather 😉
Re-read the post if you get a chance because I think you’ll be interested in the post-processing comments I just added to it. May make you feel better about clear skies 😉
Outstanding Matt. A favorite shot myself and was last there in February. Sunset is a must on the next trip.
Steve
Hey Matt,
Awesome shot! Doesn’t get any better than that! Beautiful sky, high tide and Great ocean! Well done and thanks for the story!
Dennis
Thanks Dennis. The tide and the ocean were Mother Nature. The sky may have had some help 😉
Hey Matt, you mentioned onOne’s Dynamic Contrast. I’ve used it a couple of time, but never liked the results. Any change you could do a video of how you use it and when you use it in your workflow? That would be awesome for me!
Oh, I would have never known you replaced the sky! Awesome work! You’ll have to show us your secret!:-)
Dennis
Thanks Dennis – I’ll see if I can whip something up. As for the sky, yes, I was really happy with this one. I’ll try to share the video for that too 🙂