As we were returning from our little escape to the Pearl Beach I have spotted a sizable rock on the beach which was regularly covered by water and than only for few seconds clear of all the waves, but staying very shiny. I waited for just such moment to capture this simple and yet somehow beautiful scene.
Seal Rocks beach may not be an ideal destination for a surfer but it offers a unique view for bystanders or in this case for a photographer of the few surfers that venture out there. The unique L shape of the beach and the angle to the ocean means the waves and thus the surfers are visible from an angle rather then a straight on view. This allows for unique photography of the sport with relatively simple 200mm lens, where normally nothing short of expensive 300 or longer lens would do.
This particular photo was taken in late evening with sun already casting long shadows from the hills that surround the Seal Rocks beach. The only spot still with light was a narrow line in the water. Luckily for me, that was the line the surfers took to ride the waves.
Early in the morning the ocean often looks like liquid metal (mercury). However, that means it is also highly reflective and the visual element is hard to capture without blowing out the highlights. On this occasion I had a little help from mother nature. The cyclone over Queensland made the sea very big with waves reaching 4 and 5 meters. Combined with strong winds there was a lot of spray in the air. I believe the mist allowed for a better filtering of light and thus for a better photograph.
