Low Tide Archives • Alexander S. Kunz Photography

The First Sunset, Solana Beach

2020/01/212020/01/05 by Alexander S. Kunz

The first sunset of 2020 at the tide pools of Tabletop Reef, Solana Beach, California. January 2020.

Impressions from a visit to the Solana Beach tide pools for the first sunset of 2020.

Filters or Blending?

2019/12/292019/12/29 by Alexander S. Kunz

Twilight and low tide at the tide pools of Tabletop Reef, South Cardiff State Beach/Solana Beach, California

A recent Twitter conversation about the pros and cons of graduated neutral density filters (often just called GNDs) made me think about my own approach towards handling high-contrast scenes. I’m not using GNDs anymore, rarely did so in the past, and I prefer exposure blending on the computer, or even just using “software GNDs” in a single exposure. I find it far more flexible* and prefer to have “pure data” without the (unalterable) effects of the filter in my original/initial exposures.

Talent is a pursued interest

2019/12/182019/11/11 by Alexander S. Kunz

Low tide twilight at Windansea under clear skies, La Jolla, California. Early November 2019.

“Talent is a pursued interest. In other words, anything that you’re willing to practice, you can do.” (Bob Ross)

The Habit

2018/12/252018/01/02 by Alexander S. Kunz

Coastal rocks during negative tide at Windansea Beach, La Jolla, California. January 2018.

Turning creative expression and the act of making photographs into a habit to avoid creative ruts.

Stranger Shores (11 photos)

2019/08/302016/09/18 by Alexander S. Kunz

Low tide in infrared at the tide pools of Hospital Point, La Jolla, California. June 2016. False color infrared photo with swapped red & blue channels.

I’ve finally gotten around to finalizing the photos from the morning outing to Hospital Point during a very low tide, back in June. I had Shannon’s infrared camera back then and my photo of the month for June was from that morning.

Christmas Eve Sunset at Hospital Point (3 photos)

2020/01/052015/12/24 by Alexander S. Kunz

Christmas Eve Sunset at Hospital Point, La Jolla, CA. December 2015.

Happy Holidays to all the readers of my blog and friends and followers of my photography, no matter what exactly you’re celebrating around the time of the Winter solstice, and when in particular. :-)

Searchlight Sunset

2019/09/082015/04/07 by Alexander S. Kunz

Sunset at Seaside Beach, Cardiff By The Sea, California, United States

I mentioned this dreaded evening and weird sunset where nothing would really work out in one of my previous posts. After fiddling around with the other images for ages, I’ve come up with one that I’m somehow actually beginning to like. :) I’ve let it sit long enough to marinate for sure!

Sunset Cliffs: Hidden Beach Verticals (3 photos)

2019/08/232015/03/19 by Alexander S. Kunz

Green moss on rocks and sandstone strata at Hidden Beach, Sunset Cliffs, California, United States

Three images from another negative tide outing to the coast – I’ve never been to this spot at the southern end of Sunset Cliffs before, and later learned that it is called “Hidden Beach”. It’s location is not quite as secret as the name would imply though – and by Sunset Cliffs standards, access is relatively easy. (you should perhaps know that Sunset Cliffs is always in some local news because people fall, get trapped by the tides, etc.)

Negative Tide at Seaside Beach (3 photos)

2019/08/232015/01/24 by Alexander S. Kunz

Sunset at Tabletop Reef during negative tide, Seaside State Beach, Cardiff By The Sea, California. December 2014.

Photos from another visit to Seaside Beach/Tabletop Reef during a negative tide. This was on a Sunday in December – and when weekend, negative tide and sunset coincide, the beaches with tide pools are rather busy (to put it mildly). Luckily, most people leave once the sun is gone – and they miss the best part of the show. :)