Up early this morning, drop the kids off at school and head out to meet Steve and Liz for some Photography at Santa Margarita Lake. My hopes are high as I look out and see nothing but clear blue skies. Living close to the ocean, little did I know that this was the kiss of death for anyone hoping for clears skies inland. As we peaked Cuesta Grade on Hwy 101 heading to our destination, we were enveloped in a blanket of fog. Optimistically I chirped, “ I’m sure it will burn off soon”
My friend Liz, being an amazing photographer, saw opportunity in the fog. She asked me to pull over on Hwy 58 as she captured images of oak trees, their silhouettes outlined and made ethereal by the low lying mist. Had I more vision, I too would have been snapping away.
As we approached the lake, the fog had yet to burn off. Optimistically, I mentioned, “Soon I’m sure it will burn off”. We drove in and headed towards the boat launch. My friend Steve being a talented photographer in his own right began snapping away at things that I could not see. A master at seeing line, shape and composition, he captured images that I could only dream of taking. He took wonderful imagers of the dock disappearing into the fog as though floating off to nowhere. Reeds reflected on a soft and subtle background. I learned so much by watching both Steve and Liz as they masterfully captured images.
Still, being a photographer of wildlife, I looked around for opportunity. The world can be a cold, dark place if you don’t open up and look for opportunity where you think none exists.
The sun finally broke through. I gleefully snapped away at Buffleheads, a variety of Grebes and a Pintails. I should have checked the settings on my camera. IS (image stabilization) was off and later I would find out my hand held images would turn out blurry and out of focus.
After a great lunch, we headed to the Reservoir Canyon area for some waterfall imagery. The falls were spewing forth a torrent of white water, as I have never seen. Once again Steve would create magical imagery with the waterfall in black and white.
Today was a great day for me; I learned so much from going out and shooting with fellow photographers. Look for inspiration where you see none. Look, and then look again. Before you go out and shoot, make sure your camera has the correct settings, check and make sure that the switches on your lens haven’t accidentally been flipped. Check, and then check again.
After arriving home, a call later that evening would confirm an invite to participate in the Bald Eagle count at Lake San Antonio on Saturday.
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