Jersey Shore

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Time for me to chime in with some vacation photos.</p>

<p>Avalon, NJ--a depressingly overdeveloped sandbar where gangs of well-behaved white bicyclists inspire abject boredom among the residents of vinyl-clad timeshares--is not a particularly photogenic locale but hey, I'm a pentaxian.<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/967825424_bWsWm-L.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="534" /></p>

<p>The open NY & NJ beaches I recall from my youth are no more: you must be issued an admission tag and this requirement is enforced with the subtlety we've come to associate with New Jersey.<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/967824729_DZv4B-XL.jpg" alt="" /><br /> (Apologies to anyone I might have offended--all in good fun.)</p>

<p>And it puzzles me that some people can make relaxation such a hassle.<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/967824972_NsaEW-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>But it seems to work for them. This was taken late in the day, after the crown thinned out: the crowd extends for seven miles of beach. <br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/968402424_P3pye-XL.jpg" alt="" /> <br /> I did my best shooting in the early morning & late evening<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/962246321_gkR3H-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/969893770_skAwT-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/962334991_UtW5T-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/974085002_2o2Xn-XL-1.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/967822393_gprEb-XL.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="680" /></p>

<p>I wish I'd framed this one a smidge to the right:<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/961795715_Am5qo-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Thank God for the marshes</p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/974086381_Q8yc3-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>and Pentax, for the DA* 300mm, of course ;~)<br /> <img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/969896608_eAvZD-XL.jpg" alt="" /> <br /> But this is what it was really all about.</p>

<p><img src="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/photos/970833126_Ujhzv-XL.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>(full set <a href="http://dadipentak.smugmug.com/Places/Avalon-NJ/13251417_VbVtx#974081181_DKcjC">here</a>.)</p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>Looks like a great trip, Dave! Beaches are very tough to get compelling shots at. I'm headed to North Carolina outer banks next month for our 10th wedding anniversary, and I've been debating what to take with me, or if I should even bother taking much/anything at all besides my surfboard and Yakboard.</p>

<p>Beaches, like any open public space, has and will become a bigger and bigger commodity. Most beach areas have gotten incredibly expensive to spend a day at. I grew up just a few miles from the beach for most of my life. We used to bike there daily over the summer, body surf or board all day, then play volley ball at night. I'm surprised how expensive parking has become at the town level beaches these days. It's as much as $25 a day on Long Island, and yet they are able to fill these beaches. I'm sure NJ is no different.</p>

<p>As a conservationist, I always point out that while short term building a factory or a Walmart over a forest MIGHT be better for the local economy, eventually open space will in itself become a driving force in the economy. Just like any diminishing resource (water, oil, etc) there will be haves and have nots. It looks like the coastal areas are the first to really understand this!</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Thanks Justin! Yeah, I'm old enough to remember being able to camp on the eastern L.I. beaches without paying or getting anyone's permission. And you're right: access to natural settings is becoming a scarce (and high-priced) commodity.</p>

<p>It was an easy choice for me to squeeze the camera gear in the Forester along with the girl's stuff since the fishing sucks at this time of year and I'm an old-fashioned body-surfer and I needed <em>something</em> to do when I wasn't in the water. I can't imagine your not wanting to shoot, though and I'd be interested in seeing what you make of NC--I haven't been there for ages.</p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>I haven't been to the NC coast since my freshman year of college...about 15 years ago.</p>

<p>I think I'll have plenty of room in the go-kart for camera gear, afterall the boards go up top and I shoot Pentax for a reason! Just not really inspired by the beach.</p>

<p>The plan is to overshoot our rental house and drive back up the coast Saturday morning. Probably shoot some of the lifesaving stations, perhaps some light houses, etc. The problem with the beach is that you really only have about 2 hours a day to shoot before the limited features get flattened by overhead light. Some nice stormy and unstable weather is always good for extending the shooting, but who the heck hopes their week at the beach is filled with storms and instability (aside from a photographer ;-).</p>

<p>BTW, I really like your first shot. Well framed and composed!</p>

[markus maurer]

<p>Could you export a small piece of this beach for me, you can fill it in "your" green car and send it?</p>

 

[shots worth sharing]

<blockquote>Could you export a small piece of this beach for me, you can fill it in "your" green car and send it?</blockquote>

<p>In exchange for a small Alp, perhaps?</p>

[andrewg_ny]

<p>Looks like you had a fun trip, Dave. From the post subject, I thought for sure this would have something to do with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Shore_%28TV_series%29">Snooki</a>.</p>

[bob-c]

<p>Dave, great shots and even better commentary. As you know I live in an area in which 90% of the population goes "down the shore" every summer. People look at me like I am nuts when I tell them I hate the shore. Your shots are really nice, especially the early morning shots and the one at the marsh. I hope you were able to have a good time while you were there. (you should have emailed me, I would have joined you for a shoot) </p>

[MattB.Net]

<p>Andrew, I think Snooki and her esteemed colleagues went to L.A.. So maybe we'll have better luck from Javier for a Snooki shot.</p>

<p>(for the record I watched the show once, and that was too much!)</p>

[mountainvisions]

<p>As someone of Italian heritage I was rolling on the floor at the Saturday Night Live skits based on the show. I mean my wife thought I was having a seizure it was so funny. So I decided we HAD TO watch the actual show but never got around to it. One night I came home and my wife said "your show is on, do you want to watch it", and I was absolutely amazed at the level of garbage they will put on TV these days. Not nearly as funny as the SNL skits, just sad and pathetic.</p>

<p>It's bad enough talentless idiots like Paris Hilton are famous for unknown reasons, but these people (Snooki and company) were absolutely talentless and arguably not even good looking. Of course this is what society wants, perhaps in 5-10 years we'll come full circle and dramas and comedies with real talented actors will return to the airwaves!</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Thanks , Robert! I was aware I was on your turf, so to speak but it didn't occur to try to meet.<br>

Avalon, North Wildwood and Wildwood proper (oxymoron?) are certainly interesting from a sociological pov!I've matured enough (finally) not to grumble and grump on excursions of this sort but it's not my cup of tea. <br>

And, btw, I'm aware that there's a TV show of the same name but had the pleasure of watching it (neither, I gather, have some of you who <em>have</em> seen it. ;~)</p>

[garry_young1]

<p>Good to see the birds remained in your viewfinder hwile at the beach Dave - and congrats for getting over the grumbling. When the wife packs us off to the beach, I can't help but grumbel the whole way there and back, hate it.</p>

<p>I like the shot of the girl in the edge of the surf. Might have been good to frop the viewfinder a fraction and find something interesting in the foreground too, like a star fish? lol.</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Thanks, that's a good tip, Garry. In pp, I did realize that some foreground interest could help but there was precious little to work with. That's partly a natural characteristic of these Atlantic beaches but perhaps also because the beaches are swept clean and manicured on a daily basis and any starfish would be routinely removed along with the genuine trash. I should note that, despite the crowd, there was really very little trash left behind at the end of the day. </p>

[bob-c]

<p>Dave, interesting from a sociological pov - I'll say! I have not been to Wildwood in years but the last time I was there I thought I was at a freak show, very strange place! Next time you go you should try to stay in Cape May. Not too bad as N.J. shores go.</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Yup, Wildwood has a certain edge, for sure--Javier would love it ;~)</p>

[hagar]

<p>Nice set Dave... Are those two people in the first photo about to get removed for not having the proper admission tickets? lol<br>

My favorite is the the silhouette on the beach.. love the light on the waves and the sand.<br>

I also like the photo immediately after that.. with the lone seagull (?) and boardwalk. I think I might try some different crops of that one..</p>

[personalphotos]

<p>Very good series Dave. I also enjoyed the comments. Our beaches here are a mixed bag. Some areas are free to access and others are in provincial parks which require a paid pass to access. But on the flip side, they do a lot to keep them organized and clean. So I think it's worth the fees. This summer, they have had big crowds. Very hot and humid here this season.</p>

<p>My favourite is the man dragging everything including the kitchen sink. The backhoe and the comment is funny as well. The first and 2nd last are also excellent images. Thanks for sharing and good work.</p>

<p> </p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Thanks, Haig --I wrestled with the crop a bit but there's still that bit of vignetting in the upper right, isn't there? I'll work on it though since it may be my favorite of the trip.</p>

<p>Also you, Peter. I was really going for a post-card look in that first one and think I succeeded. The bird was a pleasant surprise--it was actually a pretty gloomy evening and I wasn't sure I'd get anything usable. </p>

 

[michael_elenko]

<p>Hi Dave,<br>

I too appreciate your anthropologist-with-an-attitude comments. A similar perspective lead me to move 3200 miles away oh so long ago. The high key shot of the guy shlepping his beach stuff to infinity belongs on the cover of a Stephen King novel. I also like the one of the boardwalk, it's very contemplative and brings to mind late August.</p>

<p>@Justin, I like the Outer Banks a lot. Unlike my own state of Washington, the beaches in NC are public and that counts for something. My wife and I spent our 10th anniversary there as well. I fondly remember sipping single malt scotch on the beach under a full moon. There are also some pretty fascinating forested sand dune hikes there as well. Enjoy!</p>

<p>ME</p>

[shots worth sharing]

<p>Thanks Michael, The North-West is another place I'd like to revisit now that I have a proper camera. :~) </p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>Hi Dave, I'm just glad you had a good time and were able to escape unjersey'd. You're not orange, are you? :-D</p>

<p>Bob, what are you doing in NJ? I thought Philly and mist-covered forests were your stomping grounds?</p>