Fog And The Ocean Beach Pier

On a day when inland temperatures were forecast to rise to Summer highs, I took a quick trip to the Ocean Beach Pier in San Diego.  The previous weekend, I captured marine layer at Hospitals Reef, but this morning in O.B. was foggy.

Below is a gallery of images, with more explanation below.  As always, clicking on any of these images will launch the slideshow.

For the most part, I continued to make long exposures like I did the previous weekend.  With a 9-stop Hoya neutral-density filter, I was able to shoot about 2 minutes at ISO 50 and f/16.  The lines between the fog and the foreground were a little more muted, and it was a nice soft effect that showed up on the images.

After some side profile images and under the pier, I walked the length of the Ocean Beach Pier.  It splits in a “T” at the end.  There were a lot of people fishing, and several people were reeling in catches.  I looked for a few profile images of the pier, before heading back and getting on with my day.

That Damn Pier

Being an introvert, I never really know how to handle the nice but talkative locals in O.B.  One asked if I was using a “fog filter,” then wanted to know if I was photographing any surfer in particular.  When I told him I was making images of the Ocean Beach Pier, he responded with “that goddamn pier,” and left with no further explanation.

I am not sure if he didn’t like all the fishing from the pier (the reason for it’s construction) or had some issue with it, but I found that humorous.

This was a great morning to enjoy some conditions we don’t have in East County during a heat wave.  O.B. was comparatively quiet, and making these really long exposures, people walking in front of my frame didn’t really affect the final images that much.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the images!

tmschultze

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.