Pfeiffer Beach - Big Sur

Any comments appreciated.

I like your low perspective.  I'm having a hard time understanding the purple in the foreground, including on the two closest rocks.  Is this actually present, or is it a result of processing?

Nice image and great composition.  I`m also puzzled by the purple streaks in the foreground.  Nicely done - michel

Stephen,

Yes it's actually purple. The cliffs on the beach contain manganese garnet minerals that wash down on the beach. The color was exaggerated early in the morning with the cool light. During the night there had been a high tide that washed away all the foot prints, making it easier to see the purple. Thanks for the interest.

This site describes it better.

http://beaches.uptake.com/blog/rainbow-beaches-colored-sand.html

Randy, thanks for the reply and the link.  Pfeiffer Beach is mentioned specifically in the article -- very cool.  Nice match with the color of the sky just above the earth's shadow.  I was going to say something about the offshore rock being pretty close to the top of the frame, but perhaps that's appropriate to really keep the viewer's eye down on the foreground.  I assume that's where your interest or reason for the photograph is located (along with the moon, I imagine).

Stephen,

Based on the 'rules', I've been told there is usually no reason to show something that does not add to the image. In this case more sky would be sky that you could guess what it looks like without needing to see. Sky is just sky. Other 'rules' applied (or at least attempted) would be 'rule of thirds' - no horizon right across the middle, and leading lines. Of course, rules are really suggestions and I'm trying to apply them as best I can.

Thanks

I never think of them as rules, just suggestions.  More often than not they do contribute to the aesthetics of a photograph, but the exceptions are wonderful.  I think the large rock needs just enough space so that it doesn't feel "crowded," and that amount is pretty subjective.  I agree with your primary point:  any  space that is not contributing to the photograph in some way should be removed.

Thank you for your explanation Randy.  Really interesting read on your link.  You did a great job in capturing this image. I like the low perspective and the texture of the stones as foreground interest. The purple streaks seem to point towards the big rock and lead the eyes into the frame. Lovely image. Regards - michel

Randy,  I like the composition in this image.  You must have been down on the beach to capture this image.  The moon adds a terrific element to the shot; yet, I like Stephen, question the bright purple on the rocks.  The purple in the sky works well as it  is natural looking; but IMHO, I'd desaturate that foreground purple.  Nice work.   Larry

Longer exposures, such as this, often have the effect of intensifying colors.

A beautiful and original shot of this much photographed location. I like the composition especially the foreground rocks that suggest the shape of the off shore rock The sky and the moon really adds to the impact. Great job well done William

Larry, an explanation for the purple was provided by Randy (see above); it's a natural color and is probably one of the primary elements in the frame, partly because it's relatively rare.  I wondered about it too.  That's something we didn't usually question before the advent of digital photography.  I've been challenged several times on photos that were 100% natural but which had special features, and folks couldn't quite believe it.  We're just going to have to adjust to this increased overlap between "real" and "unreal," both as photographers and as viewers.

It's great to get some feedback. Thanks for all the comments everyone.

I've seen this spot photographed by many photographers, but yours really stands out. The lighting, wide angle, interesting elements, DOF all work to reat effect here. Cheers, -Clayton