Evening Rush on the Vincent Thomas

I decided I wanted a shot of the VT Bridge lit up with lights from traffic. After searching around for a while, I found a location with the right vantage point on a hill with the help of a zoom lens to get me closer to the action. Taken with my Canon 50D on a tripod, at F 20, 30 seconds, ISO 100, 90 mm.

Sea Lions in the Port

We often have sea lions making themselves at home on our Coast Guard boat docks at Terminal Island down in the port. I decided to take their picture one day while leaving work to head home. We have a raised pier next to some floating docks. The sea lions love the floating docks, and the raised pier makes for a close vantage point without getting too close. The sea lion photos were all taken handheld with the Canon 50D and 100-400 mm Tokina Telezoom lens. This closeup of the sea lions show them all bunched together like a log jam, growling and barking at each other inccessantly. Taken at F 5.6, 1/200 second, ISO 250, 160mm.

What are YOU looking at?

They guys have a lot of character, and are not afraid to show it...

Taken at F 5.6, 1/125 second, ISO 250, 210 mm.

Do Sea Lions Dream?

Asleep at the Flipper? This sea lion was slowly gliding by effortlessly on the surface in what appeared to be blissful slumber, nearly motionless and not having a care in the world.

Taken at F 5.6, 1/200 second, ISO 250, 90 mm.

Cranes at Morning Light

I was driving into work one October morning when I saw a spectacular sunrise breaking. I could not help but stop, jump out of the car, and take a few quick shots. Glad I did, it was an amazing sight. I had seen this setting play out before on other days, but this time I had a camera with me in the car! The cranes in the background are from the APM and APL terminals in LA Harbor, and boats in the foreground are moored in what is locally known as "fish harbor".

Taken from South Seaside Ave on Terminal Island a few blocks from the CG base with Canon G10, F 3.5, 1/3 second, ISO 80.

Fountain at the Port of LA

I spent Sunday evening of Memorial Day weekend taking some pictures at the Port of LA's fountain and reflection pool. My ultimate goal was to get a few pictures of the reflecting pool and palm trees with the Vincent Thomas Bridge lit up in blue in the background. I also wanted to get the bridge lights reflecting in the fountain pool. I had a great time, however, it probably wasn't best night to shoot photos at this site. There were hundreds of families gathered to watch the fountain light show, and people freqently walked through the photos. There were also some foggy marine layer-like clouds behind the bridge, which added some atmosphere. Shot with 50D, F 10, 30 sec, ISO 100, 18 mm on Tokina 12-24 lens.

Now Add a Little Water Action!

I was pleased with this timed exposure which enabled me to add the fountain to the same shooting location. Shot with 50D, F14, 30 sec, ISO 100, 18mm with Tokina 12-24 lens. The fountain show lasts maybe ten minutes and has both music, lights and lots of splashing water!

Walking on Water

One interesting feature of the reflecting pool is a walkway right through the middle of it, with water falling down both sides and under the walkway. When viewing from the side and at a distance, it looks like the people in the walkway are standing in the middle of the fountain. This picture captures a little of the light and water show. In this photo you can see some kids in the walkway who have discovered "the spot" where the wind is blowing all the water spray, giving them a non-stop shower. Kids will be kids! You probably have to click the large version of the photo to see them clearly. You can also see wet footprints going across the wallkway. Shot with 50D, F 10, 13 seconds, ISO 100, 18mm on Tokina 12-24 lens. Not the greatest photo, but lots of action!

Vincent Thomas Bridge

I decided to take a few shots of the VT bridge while I was at the reflecting pool. There is a nice walkway that goes from the fountain area to the foot of the bridge. This photo was taken along that walkway. Taken with the 50D, F 10, 25 seconds, ISO 100, 41mm on Canon 28-135 lens. I switched the white balance to daylight and got a nice warm reddish glow to the photo which I thought made for an interesting atmosphere. I also liked how all the blue lights on the bridge had a star effect to the them, and there was a very colorful mix of light reflecting in the water below. A series of palm trees line the walkway below the bridge.

Merchant Marine Memorial

I recently was invited to be a guest speaker at a National Maritime Day (May 22) Ceremony at the American Veterans Merchant Marine Memorial in San Pedro. I decided to visit the Memorial a day early. The Memorial consists of a series of walls inscribed with all the names of the Merchant Mariners who have died in the line of duty during WWII and later, and a large sculpture/water fountain called the Jacob's Ladder. The sculpture features a mariner reaching down to help pull another mariner out of the water, both hanging from a jacob's ladder dangling from an unseen ship. The light wasn't the greatest, but I took a few pictures anyway. Here is a "Memorial Day" photo with old Glory lit up by the sun behind a siloheutte of the Jacob's Ladder. Taken with my 50D, F 6.3, 1/100, ISO 100, 35mm with my Canon 28-135 lens. Taking pictures at this spot is challenging, lots of background clutter, and the sun set behind the buildings nearby, blocking out the warm light of the sunset on the sculpture.

The Jacob's Ladder

Here is the Jacob's Ladder from a different perspective backlight by the setting sun. Taken with my 50D, F 6.3, 1/200, ISO 100, 20mm with the Tokina 12-24 lens.

Sunset Over Wharehouse One - The Day is Done

I tend to work long hours and often the sun is setting or has already gone down by the time I leave my office on Terminal Island. Occassionally I will snap a quick photo of these sunsets. Here the sun is setting over LA Wharehouse One, and you can also see Catalina Island in the background. Wharehouse One also marks the location of the LA Pilots station, and is also the original site for the LA Marine Exchange. This was a very clear evening, as evidenced by the fact that Catalina Island is twenty-three miles offshore, but is clearly visible in the photo. This photo was taken with my point and shoot G10 (F/3.2, ISO 80, 1/2o sec).

Time to go home!

Finding Beauty In Unexpected Places - The Port of LA

I live in San Pedro, and work on Terminal Island down in the Port of LA. This area is an eclectic mix, being solidly blue collar and industrial, but also having many eye-catching spots. One of my goals is to take beautiful pictures in a place many would not normally think of as "beautiful". So far, I have missed the best opportunties to catch some amazing sights in the port, but I will continue to look for opportunities. I took this photo with a very simple point and shoot (Canon SD700 IS) that my wife now uses as her camera for casual photos. It takes pretty good pictures at night for a fairly inexpensive camera you can easily carry in your pocket. This photo shows the Vincent Thomas Bridge lit up in its usual blue lights over the LA Main Channel, and an Evergreen container ship conducting cargo operations at the Seaside Transportation Services Terminal. A dinner cruise boat is also passing under the bridge. This picture was shot while trying to balance the camera on a pier bollard from Pier 87 (f/3.2, 1 second exposure, +2 exp compensation, flash turned off). The VT bridge is quite stunning to see at night, whether you are just looking at it from afar or actually driving across its span. Its blue lights create a calming blue glow on the waters below.