Bowling Ball Beach by Jeff Swanson

Monday, 25th January 2010

Bowling Ball Beach

by Jeff Swanson

These unique boulders are formed by concretion of minerals around a nucleus. They’re then weathered out of the cliff side as it is worn down by the unrelenting Pacific.
Making these long exposures was somewhat difficult as the sea would cycle through flooding over the top of all of them (turning the image into a muddled mess). I was able to time this shot for the lull and get off the rock and out of the way before the flood came back. I got caught a couple of times and it was a little disconcerting standing knee deep in rushing water not sure where the rocks you walked out on were now – my gear got splashed pretty good once or twice but I kept the important bits out of harms way.

Equipment: Nikon D200, Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, B+W #110 Ten Stop ND, Singh-Ray 3-stop Soft GND

Jeff Swanson

I’m a photographer specializing in dynamic landscapes. I’m consistantly drawn to interfaces in the natural world – whether that be where dynamic meets stationary or where biotic meets abiotic – these areas of interface make for the best photographs. I hope you enjoy checking out my images as much as I’ve enjoyed making them. I’ve just relocated to Northern California after finishing graduate school in Rhode Island and I’m constantly amazed by the variety of the landscape on this new and exciting coast.
Please visit my website to see more images and for information on purchasing prints.

www.interfacingnature.com

25 Comments

darren Jones Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 2:24 am
All the shots on here are very very similar……..pretty boring….stones in foreground, sliky water….yawn
Scott Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 2:35 am
Heck yeah, Jeff! Go NSoP.
MATE Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 2:43 am
very dreamlike, and interesting i think that this photo is very good and the black and white contrast makes the dreamlike quality of it stand out, good job!!
Katherine Lee Strassburg Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 2:55 am
I find photos of rocks/water/sunlight very unusual and far from boring. Each photographer brings a different nuance. In this case, I’ve seen a similar sight at Kettle Point in Ontario, Canada, though I’m not sure the rocks were formed in the same way. In addition, Jeff has told us a story that lets us feel the water lapping at our feet and smell the salt-water spray. Thanks, Jeff, for a beautiful potd!
Shawn Thompson Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 3:28 am
Darren,
I like how you tear the photos here, yet don’t link to anything you have taken. I wonder why that is? I think I know the answer.

Very nice image Jeff.
Nico De Pasquale Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 8:33 am
such amazing capture!
great atmosphere n processing
su Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 8:50 am
Unusual shot.
Chris Boynton Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Great Shot Jeff – gets my vote – zero “yawns” from me.
Pauline Jones Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 9:23 am
Such a lot of effort to get the shot; well done Jeff
Morkel Erasmus Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 10:02 am
very dramatic shot and lovely use of elements to draw the viewer in…
Wanda Krack Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Well-presented in black and white. What a neat-looking place!
renee Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
great title! great shot!
Marie Dunphy Harding Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 3:35 pm
Your determination got you the best possible presentation, Congrats on potd Jeff.
Joan Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
It’s amazing–there is a sense of motion as if the rocks are migrating down the beach…fascinating image!
Andy Stewart Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Great shot Jeff, and beautifully composed!!!!
(And by no means boring)
Andy
João Ganhão Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Amazing! Great B&W! Excellent picture!
Jeff Swanson Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

Darren, after you’ve awoken from the nap that my photograph induced I encourage you to go out and try your luck at this spot!
Mummymoo Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Love your shots! Any chance of coming to Australia to do some landscapes here??
Davey Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Those aren’t rocks. Those are turtles. All headed towards the sun. Thanks for sharing this one.
mike Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 12:04 am
Looks nice in black and white.
ali shokri Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 4:29 am
great works
paul whitton Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 5:11 am
love the true b&w tones and the connected story, nice work, nice adventure mate!
Malcolm Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Lovely fine art photograph
Grete Says:
January 27th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
Stunning shot, excellent in all aspects! Congratulations and Greetings.
(Darren, we’d like to see your photos here, to see if we fall asleep or we are surprised)
Lisbeth, Denmark Says:
January 28th, 2010 at 9:13 am
Wauww – this is SO BEAUTIFUL! Very nice to see a great b/w photo – black and white photoes have their own unique power and I often find that they are stronger or at least very different in their impression than colourfull pics.

I am defently NOT put to sleep

Darren – feel really sad for you! A great loss for you that you aren’t able to enjoy it!!