The Wild Coast of Olympic National Park

coscorrosa · March 17, 2008

I was finally able to take a break from work and take three days off to explore Olympic National Park last week (Wed-Sat). I concentrated mostly on the wild beaches (although there are some excellent opportunities in the temperate rain forest and the Olympic Mountain parts of the park as well, I had never shot the ocean at sunset, even though I'm less than four hours away! It's almost criminal).

Here are some of my favorites (these are from Kalaloch Beach and Ruby Beach):

There are some other cool beaches in the (huge) park that are excellent for photography, Second Beach (which I visited, but not at sunset), Rialto Beach (also visited, but not at sunset, did see a bunch of Bald Eagles there), and Shi-Shi Beach (didn't visit, will visit next time). I'll also dress so I can dip my legs in the water, as some of these beaches have small creeks that need to be forded. Unfortunately, sunset was also at high tide, which meant I had to keep on moving backwards, sometimes not fast enough, though I only fell on my butt once... (that's good for me)

CatOne · March 17, 2008

Very pretty!

I like the colors, and the interesting perspectives.

The only suggestion I have for improvement is that the fact that the rock is pure black in photos #1 and #3 is distracting. It's a "black hole" and my eyes are guided there. It detracts from the rest of the image a bit... I'd like to see a little more detail, not just a pure black silhouette.

On photo #4 I'm not bothered by it in the same way as it's central to the composition. But the way I feel about it is different in photos #1 and #3 versus #4. Any chance you can pull a little details into it by moving the black point down a couple points and throwing a little shadows & highlights in there?

Tee Why · March 17, 2008

I like the first two images the most.

rpcrowe · March 17, 2008

The first shot is...
The first shot IMO is a wonderful example of how a wide lens should be used. It doesn't just show a wide expanse of uninteresting landscape, it emphasizes an object in the foreground.

IMO (again) many photographers just slap on a wide lens and point their cameras in a general direction with the hope that something might just be interesting in the frame.

You obviously, saw what was there, selected purposefully and made a wonderfully interesting image of it.

By the way - the second shot is great along those lines also.

coscorrosa · March 18, 2008

CatOne wrote:

Very pretty!

I like the colors, and the interesting perspectives.

The only suggestion I have for improvement is that the fact that the rock is pure black in photos #1 and #3 is distracting. It's a "black hole" and my eyes are guided there. It detracts from the rest of the image a bit... I'd like to see a little more detail, not just a pure black silhouette.

On photo #4 I'm not bothered by it in the same way as it's central to the composition. But the way I feel about it is different in photos #1 and #3 versus #4. Any chance you can pull a little details into it by moving the black point down a couple points and throwing a little shadows & highlights in there?

I agree on the first photo, but not the third. The first photo the black silhouette is a stark contrast to the tonality in the rest of the image. The third photo, I think it's OK... the image in general is dark, and I think the shape of the sea stack is enough, no details needed.

Anyway, here's the first photo redone a little, thanks for the feedback!

leaforte · March 18, 2008

Very cool NW shots. The horizons seem a bit off, but, so am I. Sounds like you are loving the coast! Nice captures, and thanks for sharing.

PS Well Done

gregneil · March 18, 2008

Wow, that first shot blows me away. I think there's kind of a pleasing parallel between the angle the wood is at corresponding to the angle of the coastline. Anyway, just a lovely shot. I've been backpacking along the beach up there a couple times, it's one of my favorite places. You captured it perfectly. Thanks for sharing.

cmkultradome · March 18, 2008

Spectacular photos!! #1, #2, & #5 are my favorites. I go on vacation through this forum looking at all of these beautiful landscapes. You have now made me add Olympic National Park to my "bucket list" (great movie!!). I want to stay on the North American continent and right now the Canadian Rockies have the top spot, although your photos and recent posts of desert blooms have made me add the Southwestern deserts and the Pacific Northwest coast. Thanks for posting.

schmoo · March 18, 2008

cmkultradome wrote:

Spectacular photos!! #1, #2, & #5 are my favorites. I go on vacation through this forum looking at all of these beautiful landscapes. You have now made me add Olympic National Park to my "bucket list" (great movie!!). I want to stay on the North American continent and right now the Canadian Rockies have the top spot, although your photos and recent posts of desert blooms have made me add the Southwestern deserts and the Pacific Northwest coast. Thanks for posting.

I find myself doing the same thing too. Armchair vacations! And a great way to shop for new locations to visit.

Great series and even though the foregrounds were dark, as people stated, they bring out the colors and textures in the sky very nicely.

ehughes · March 19, 2008

Great job

doctorsoup · March 19, 2008

Kudos
Ron,

I like your rework of #1 the best, but they are all strong images. I agree the horizon is off a little on #1, but so am I as well. This is added to my short list of must-visit locations for shoots!

Albert Dickson · March 19, 2008

Very nice work Ron. I do like the refinements made to #1, but they are all super from the get-go.

coscorrosa · March 20, 2008

Thanks!
Thanks for the positive feedback! I straightened the updated #1 photo (I should stop post-processing photos with the laptop on my lap...).

Here's a few more (at Second, Kalaloch, and Ruby beach respectfully), the full gallery is at http://photos.coscorrosa.com/gallery/4527336_mJCuz (it contains photos from the entire trip, including some birds and forest stuff, in addition to the beaches).