My February 2014 Photo Of The Month is Sunset Middle Horizon, an image created at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park in San Diego, California.
Sunset Middle Horizon Background
I was not as active in February with my camera. I did photograph the Yuma “Bridge To Nowhere” which is an old remnant of the original U.S. Route 95. The evening of February 22 was certainly beautiful along the coast, and I have long enjoyed visiting Sunset Cliffs. I have made more images of Ross Rock (yes, I know, also known as Birdshit Rock) than I can count, but each day I am there, something is different.
Keeping your horizon out of the center image is considered dogma in photography, yet I enjoy breaking the rule on occasion. It could be said that Ross Rock’s position in the center bottom is also a break of the “Rule of Thirds.” Indeed, I made some more traditionally composed images that evening, yet for some reason I find this composition more satisfying. Sometimes, it really is okay to break the rules.
This is also not a typical composition of the rock for me. I usually pick one of two vantage points either to the South or North, to capture a sweeping view. But this one looked right, with the rock leading you to the surfers, who lead you further out to the heavens and the Earth’s horizon.
We get a few dozen of these great sunsets a year, when the clouds are really bright. Other parts of the year, particularly May/June and October, the onshore flow blocks much of this fantastic light with marine layer. It can still be nice, but not the classic colors you see here.
As always, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the image.
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T.M. Schultze is a San Diego-based photographer, traveller, and writer. He writes, photographs, and draws things of the outdoors that have inspired humans for thousands of years. He co-authored the Photographer’s Guide to Joshua Tree Park which can be purchased here.