“Exposed”
Folly Beach, SC
#8

The coast of South Carolina is constantly shifting and changing as the sands are eroded here and deposited there. I imagine that this isn’t unique to the SC coast, but I notice it all the time.

On a warm morning last August, I ventured out to the North end of Folly to explore. The sky was pretty overcast and gloomy I wasn’t sure if anything interesting would happen. I kept composing scenes and being fairly underwhelmed. Then the sun came up behind the clouds and the sky started to lighten. The wind was blowing like crazy and the clouds were flying across the sky.

I ventured around the corner and down the beach and came across these spindly trees with roots exposed above the sand. The sunlight started shining over the top of a bank of clouds and then all of sudden rays of sun light streamed across the entire sky. I quickly set up and captured this image.

Sadly I went back to this spot this week and the trees were gone. I knew they wouldn’t last that exposed.

Technical Info:
Nikon D80
Tokina 11 -16mm f/2.8
ISO 100
Exposure 1/13
Aperture f/22

“Vibrant Reflection”
Isle of Palms Pier, SC
#7

Sand, Sea and Sky; 3 elements of life.

This image was captured in late Spring during a cool clear morning creating incredible colors which reflected in the receding tide. I won my first contest with this image and therefore it will always be special for me. 🙂


Technical Info:
Nikon D80
Tokina 11 -16mm f/2.8
ISO 160
Exposure 1/250
Aperture f/10

“Spirit of SC”
Charleston, SC
#6

Last May I headed down to the Harbor to see the Tall Ships as part of the Tall Ship Festival. Unfortunately the festival was cancelled but one ship did come to Charleston, the HMS Bounty. I took a number of shots of the Bounty in the early morning light and then headed over to the Spirit of SC on another dock. In the early dawn light the pastel colors were classic Charleston and I was thrilled with this composition including the bridge in the background.

I posted the image to Facebook and immediately a few sites snagged it and my traffic shot through the roof. I was quite unprepared for it, but nevertheless thrilled. Print orders rolled in and I can easily say that this image has been more popular that all of my others.

Technical Info:
Nikon D80
Tokina 11 -16mm f/2.8
ISO 100
Exposure 1/80s
Aperture f/10

“Reflecting Moonlight”
Molas Lake, Colorado
#5

A pool of moonlight silently reveals a grove of aspen trees at the top of the world.

Our campfire started to die down and the kids were getting lost and tripping on rocks in the darkness. A moment of peace and tranquility watching the stars. I walked the 10 feet to the lake and marveled at the beauty. The stars were incredible and then as if by magic the moon went behind a cloud and a small window lit up this grove of aspens. The reflected sparkling stars added to the mystique and I was captivated.

Technical Info:
Nikon D7000
Tokina 11 -16mm f/2.8
ISO 2500
Exposure 25s
Aperture f/2.8