Sunlight rays through arch at Pfeiffer Beach in early May?
Discussion
3 replies
Posted by Scott Bideau on April 14, 2012 at 3:06 PM
From what I've read the arch at Pfeiffer Beach produces stunning images (like http://www.flickr.com/photos/claycarey/5442082993/) of the sun's rays poking through, but only around winter solstice when the sun is as far south as possible.
I'm coming out from Colorado the first weekend of May. Given my short trip, I'm wondering if I would even be able to get an image like this given the sun's position then. Should I instead skip it and plan for a different sunset shot for that evening.
If the sun's rays do pop through in early May, links to similair compositions taken at this same time of year would be greatly appreciated.
Being able to see the sun itself through the Doorway at Pfeiffer Beach begins in early December and goes through the first week in January. After that you are not able to see the sun itself directly but you may see sunlight rays if there is enough mist generated by the waves crashing through the Doorway. Even if you were not able to get exactly what you envision, Pfeiffer Beach is a great location for sunset photography, expecially if there is little or no coastal fog at the horizon. It can be quite stunning after sunset if the sky gets some color - that color is also reflected in the wet sand especially if it is low tide. The upper-middle picture on my home page and the Big Sur Sunset gallery shows images from Pfeiffer Beach after sunset www.rainbowspirit.com
I second David's advice. It's a great beach other times of the year too. Although it is nice during the solstice because it gives you something to shoot even if the sky is boring.
Also, one other piece of advice. I would make a short list of backup spots in other locations. The weather there is very local. I've driven down to Garrapata only to find it completely socked in, then drove up to Santa Cruz or Davenport and gotten totally different conditions. (Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz is a good one with easy access.) Keep an eye on the relative humidity weather models.
I visited Pfeiffer beach Saturday April 7. As indicated above, this time of year, the sun is way north of the hole in the arch at sunset . I bombed out with a boring sunset (clear sky and no color) . I think that Garrapata would have offered more variety on that particular evening.
Discussion
3 repliesI'm coming out from Colorado the first weekend of May. Given my short trip, I'm wondering if I would even be able to get an image like this given the sun's position then. Should I instead skip it and plan for a different sunset shot for that evening.
If the sun's rays do pop through in early May, links to similair compositions taken at this same time of year would be greatly appreciated.
Being able to see the sun itself through the Doorway at Pfeiffer Beach begins in early December and goes through the first week in January. After that you are not able to see the sun itself directly but you may see sunlight rays if there is enough mist generated by the waves crashing through the Doorway. Even if you were not able to get exactly what you envision, Pfeiffer Beach is a great location for sunset photography, expecially if there is little or no coastal fog at the horizon. It can be quite stunning after sunset if the sky gets some color - that color is also reflected in the wet sand especially if it is low tide. The upper-middle picture on my home page and the Big Sur Sunset gallery shows images from Pfeiffer Beach after sunset www.rainbowspirit.com
cheers,
David
Also, one other piece of advice. I would make a short list of backup spots in other locations. The weather there is very local. I've driven down to Garrapata only to find it completely socked in, then drove up to Santa Cruz or Davenport and gotten totally different conditions. (Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz is a good one with easy access.) Keep an eye on the relative humidity weather models.