Crashing Waves

Gallery: Man & NaturePosted September 14, 2014564 views12 comments

I spent this past week up on the north shore of Lake Superior working on a few new images. Last Wednesday we had some high winds and huge waves crashing in on the north shore. This shot was made at Split Rock Lighthouse in northern MN. I was totally soaked with water after several big waves came crashing in over me and my gear. Everything still working though...

Larger version included.
5D3, 24-105L @67mm, ISO 400, F/16 and 1/200 sec.

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on September 14, 2014 at 1:23 PM

Sounds nice. It's 10:15 and already 100 degrees here. I could use a dunk in a cold lake.

I like the scene here. A nice balance between rock and the sea, and the lighthouse adds a good sense of scale.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on September 14, 2014 at 3:52 PM

A powerful and well composed photo! The spray of surf is precisely caught; the rocks and headland are in good balance; but most importantly, the subject, "Crashing Waves" are dominant. A minor nit—the horizon is almost a full degree out of true. The photo needs a CCW rotation.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Emily Kent on September 14, 2014 at 4:04 PM

I'm so happy to have found your photos - they're beautiful! I grew up in Minnesota and this area is very close to my heart. Powerful image you've captured here!

Registered on August 12, 2014, 18 Posts, 45 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on September 14, 2014 at 4:30 PM

Thanks to all of you for your comments. Much appreciated!
Charlie, Too bad you hadn't been with me. Hope you cool off soon.
Phil, Thanks, and yes, I see that now too. I will fix that.

Emily, Thank you! I live in south west WI but spent time in MN and the U.P. I always enjoy the North Shore very much. Will be heading back there quite soon I think. Nick

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Alberto Rada on September 14, 2014 at 5:53 PM

How important is a name to a photo, and this is perfect, the moment of the crash and the color of the sea takes you directly to it, congratulations

Registered on October 2, 2013, 28 Posts, 50 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on September 15, 2014 at 10:09 PM

Your mages from this area always remind me of the song of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Guess us coastal folks don't consciously realize the power of wind on large bodies of water (except in hurricanes and Nor'Easters)........ but I do now. Powerful capture Nick.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on September 16, 2014 at 12:31 AM

Wow--those are some sweet waves, Nick--nice grab!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on September 16, 2014 at 9:34 AM

Thanks Alberto, Eva and Stan. I have seen some pretty powerful waves on Lake Superior but this was the first time for some really big ones with the North East winds while I was there.
Eva, Once a year the light at Split Rock is turned on in honor of the 29 men that died on the Edmond Fitzgerald. I have been there several times for that and it is quite moving.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 30, 2014 at 5:34 PM

Very cool - I grew up in Minnesota but never much left the city/suburbs. I love the explosion of the water, the scale of everything and the color of the waves

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on September 30, 2014 at 7:52 PM

Thanks Luke, Lake Superior is just totally impressive for me with all of it's moods. Nick

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on October 1, 2014 at 5:28 PM

Wow! Outstanding! Been there many times when we lived in Minnesota, but never was able to get wave action like this. You caught the waves just right IMHO. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on October 2, 2014 at 8:57 AM

Hi John, Thank you! This was the first for me as well even though I have been there many times before. I have seen some pretty nice waves at times but this was the best by far for me. I really lucked out with the timing this time for that trip.
The lighthouse just bought several of this image in different sizes which I will be taking up there come Monday. Cheers, Nick

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments