Low Tide Sunset - HB

This photo is best viewed at a larger size (suggest clicking on it directly). Low tide sunset at Huntington Beach.

Last Light

I took this photo on the day after Christmas in Huntington Beach, CA. The sun had just dipped below the horizon and the sky was glowing an incredible orange color. I definitely miss seeing these sunsets (gotta love how the smog enhances the glow a bit).

A Sunset In the Shadows

I was messing around with double exposures in Photoshop and came across an old image I took in Quebec City. It was late in the afternoon and the sun was at a pretty low angle. Therefore, the buildings facing west were starting to get shadows on their walls. I thought it might be interesting to add a sunset picture into the shadow... kind of two conflicting images: "Old Historical City" vs. "Surf City". Anyways, I think it came out pretty well... interested to hear what others might think.

HB Winter Nights

At "The Strand" in Huntington Beach enjoying the pleasant winter nights.

Fire pit at the Hilton Waterfront Hotel in Huntington Beach. Enjoying a nice dinner in the winter nights.

Palm Tree Silhouettes

The setting sun in Huntington Beach, CA. 3 palm trees line the beach. Love the gradient color of the sky.

Pacific Coast Highway - Golden Hour

When most people think of Los Angeles County, I don't think that this is an image that comes to mind. However, if you're willing to take a 30 minute drive (assuming it's not rush hour) up the coastline, this is what you find. This specific shot was taken at a view point over Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The weather was perfect and the sea was quite calm. When I lived in LA, I used to come up here a lot to surf during the summer time. The waves were fantastic and I really enjoyed the change of scenery. I had not been back in about 10 years... and don't think anything really changed.

Malibu Life

Cruising down PCH, my father discovered a little restaurant perched upon the cliffs of Malibu overlooking the ocean. If you're looking for good food, drinks, celeb watching... or just want to enjoy a nice view, I recommend stopping at Geoffrey's. These were a couple of images I took while relaxing for an afternoon glass of wine.

Golden Hour - HB Pier

I've posted several images already of the HB pier... so I assume that it's getting a bit redundant. Therefore, I promise that this will be the last one. I'm going to refer to this image as "Golden Hour". Right as the sun is about to dip below the horizon, the entire sky will glow a golden color. This actually can be slightly enhanced in California because of the smog/haze. The light reflects off of the smog and increases the glowing effect.

Pier Reflections

I'm always glad when a sunset takes place at low tide. It makes any image you take much more interesting because you get really cool reflections from the wet sand. This particular image was taken at Huntington Beach Pier towards the end of the day. The surf was quite good this afternoon... so I almost didn't come out of the water in time to gather my camera. However, the spot I was surfing worked better on high tide and was starting to shut down. Anyways, I thought these were pretty rad images.

Under the Pier

When I lived in Newport Beach, I used to surf next to the Huntington Beach pier about 3-5 times per week (one of the best & most consistent surf spots in Orange County!)... and never really had that much appreciation for it. However, after being away from it for 3+ years, I've learned to appreciate its uniqueness again. Here I am standing under the pier at sunset. What you don't see are the 30 other photographers with Digital SLR cameras and tripods surrounding me.

HB - Lifeguard Towers

Every county in Southern California has their own unique lifeguard towers. Therefore, when you see an image of a lifeguard tower in an advertisement or movie, you can usually tell what beach it's being filmed at ("The OC" never actually filmed any of the beach scenes in Orange County). These particular images were taken at Huntington Beach (in Orange County) right as the sun was about to go down.

The Real OC - Huntington Beach

Right after I finished college in Los Angeles, I moved down south to Orange County. I lived there for just over 3 years and really enjoyed it. I think people have a mis-conception of what it's like to live in OC because of the various television shows: "Laguna Beach", "Arrested Development", and "The OC" (did you know that one of the actors from the OC actually had to move from Orange County to Los Angeles to film the show?). Yes, some of the stereotypes are true, but it's all dependent on the types of people you choose to spend your time with... it can be whatever you want to make it to be.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I leave you with this stereotypical image from Southern California. As the day ends, I hope everyone can look back on 2011 with fond memories... and look forward to 2012 with new hopes and excitement.

Christmas Lights and Decorations

Some Christmas decorations at my family's house in Chicago.

A Portrait of a Pepper

A few images of my family's dog. It's hard not to love the big/brown eyes.

Christmas Time With the Family

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!

A Frigid Barrel

You may not believe your eyes, but this shot was actually taken in New Hampshire... and yes, that is a barrel. A cold front had passed through the area and it left us with about a half day of swell. I got to New Hampshire in the early afternoon and immediately went to a "semi-secret" spot (that's not really a secret). I really only refer to it as a secret spot because it hardly ever breaks well... and no one bothers to check it on most days. Anyways, the wave was breaking quite well this day and was actually barreling at take off. The water was cold, but no one was out... fun times! As with most swells in the Northeast, it was extremely short lived... and this spot was completely flat the next morning.

Puddle of Leaves

As I was walking along the Charles River, I noticed a puddle of leaves under one of the trees. I loved all of the colors mixed together and the light shining down upon it. Thought it looked pretty cool.

Tilted Reflection

As I was walking down the pathway to JFK Park in Harvard Square, I took this image of a puddle. I really liked the color and the reflection. Photo taken in late November. If I recall correctly, it was actually quite warm out today. If this puddle was still here today, it would be pure ice.

Reflections and Water

Was trying to play with the shadows and create a "moody" feel for this picture. I like how it came out. This particular picture was taken back in November towards the end of the fall season. The John W Weeks Footbridge is in the background (construction had just started).

"Back Lit" New Hampshire

I took this photo towards the end of the day at a "semi-secret" surf spot in New Hampshire (can't consider surf spots to be fully secret when they have names and a parking lot). Regardless, this spot only breaks well when the waves are overhead in size (which does not happen to often). There are a bunch of jagged rocks and boils on the inside... and the waves need to be big enough to clear the rocks. Anyways, I liked the lighting and color of this photo. Thought it looked unique.

Charles River Sunset

The sun was setting behind me in this picture... and it created a gradient effect on the skyline above the Charles River. The Zakim bridge is in the background.

VODKA

Random street scene in Chicago... liked how the SKYY Vodka ad lit up the area around it.

Shorts Sands Symmetry

Nothing too special about this image... I just liked the symmetry and angles that the sidewalk and lampposts made. Photo was taken at a little beach community in York, Maine (Short Sands).

End of Day Beach Scene

The end of the day at little cove in Maine. I really liked the deep blue color of the sky.

Low Tide and Washed Up Objects

When there is a big swell, you can always find interesting things washed up on the rocks during low tide. Here we have a busted up lobster trap (which is a common site in Maine... not so common in the rest of the world though). I don't think this will be catching any lobsters again.

Cape Neddick - Lobster Pound

The Lobster Pound at Cape Neddick in Maine. I loved the vibrant color of all the buoys on the side of the building.