My February 2023 Photo of the Month is SC188, a photograph taken at the end of a beautiful sunset at San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs Natural Park.
SC188 Background
February, prior to the return to Daylight Saving Time, finally gave me a chance to get out after the work day was done and before dusk appeared.
I haven’t photographed a lot of coastal sunsets the last few years, for many reasons, but I felt like getting back to an old stomping ground at Sunset Cliffs. Here, I set up above No Surf Beach. There’s less room here than in the past due to ongoing erosion of the cliffsides. That geologic process continues.
What I didn’t expect was a pretty dramatic sunset – my weather and Skyfire apps predicted decent light but nothing extraordinary. Sometimes, it pays to visit even if you are not guaranteed any magic. Sometimes, you see something you didn’t expect.
I shot an entire series of images as the sun set, the glow began and built to a crescendo, and what you see here from last light. I chose this particular image due to the dramatic contrast between fire-ridden horizon light and very moody clouds at dusk.
Thanks to the excellent noise-cancellation in my AirPods, I was also able to limit some of the very loud tourists sitting behind me as I was behind my tripod. This is coming from the view of an introvert, I know, but it is so difficult to understand why people wish to go to a scenic, public, place and yell and scream so much. Can’t we just enjoy a moment with a little peace?
As always, thank you for viewing, and I hope you enjoy the image.
Further Viewing
Photos of the Month Portfolio Archive
Greater San Diego Portfolio Archive
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.