Monterey John Photography - The Blog

Highway to Heaven

2011-06-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

Highway to Heaven - Rt 1 north of PT. Sur, CA

Click on images for larger view.

A shot from my image gallery that can be found here:
http://monterey-john-photographer.com/Art-Images-3.html

If there are more glorious views anywhere on earth, I have no idea where they might be.

Website Home Page Gets New Look

2011-06-15T11:45:00.000-07:00

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After much back and forth, pestering friends and some agonizing, I have settled on a homepage for my website. Please do drop by for a visit if you get a chanc at: http://monterey-john-photographer.com/

Point Sur Lighthouse at Daybreak

2011-06-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

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First you get up REALLY early in the morning.

Sun and Fog on the Big Sur Coast

2011-06-08T22:51:00.000-07:00

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Circumstances finally worked out to where I could pay a brief visit to Paradise aka Big Sur. First of all it wasn't raining, a rare thing these days Secondly, Route 1 was mostly open after washouts that have kept it closed most of the spring. And last but not least, I'm finally feeling like a human being after several weeks of feeling quite otherwise.

It was kind of weird light today with milky skies and high fog that just seemed to not want to go away.
Shot this from a well known "scenic overview" on Route 1 about 10 miles south of the village of Big Sur and a couple miles north of McWay Falls.

Aircraft, Air Museums and Air Shows Gallery

2011-05-31T06:35:00.000-07:00

http://monterey-john-photographer.com/Aircraft-frame.html

Recent Central Coast Events Galleries are now Available on the Web Site

2011-04-25T10:09:00.000-07:00

http://monterey-john-photographer.com/Recent_Events.html

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The Web site is Finished!

2011-04-21T04:58:00.000-07:00

And we are open for business. Do drop by and pay us a visit!
http://monterey-john-photographer.com

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Numerous Photo Galleries Now Available on the Web Site

2011-04-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

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I am pleased to announce the addition of a galleries page to the web site. It includes several flash galleries, music and links to select images and a Big Sur video.

McShane Annual St Patrick's Day Wine Tour

2011-03-14T19:50:00.000-07:00

And a grand time was had by all.

Entire group at the Paraiso Winery

Wrath Winery

A lot more images can be seen at: http://monterey-john-photographer.com/Gallerioes/McShanes_2011_Wine_Tour/index.html

Click on images for larger view.

Monterey County Young Professionals Group "Rock and Bowl" Mixer

2011-02-26T07:24:00.000-08:00

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The Young Professionals of Monterey County had another great success in their annual "Rock and Bowl Mixer." Here is Steve McShane (rt rear), President and the board of the MCYP's.

A Visit to Moss Landing

2011-02-03T23:46:00.000-08:00

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Salinas Jaycee Dodgeball Tournament

2011-02-01T17:45:00.000-08:00

A great time was had Thursday night. 01/27/11 at the Salinas, CA Sports Center as the Salinas Jaycees sponsored the annual dodgeball tournament. I was was pleased to be the event photographer. You can see more, way more, images here: http://monterey-john-photographer.com/Gallerioes/2011-Jaycees-dodgebal/2011-Jaycees-dodgeball/index.html

Click on images for larger view.

A Winter Day Around Monterey Bay

2011-01-26T21:04:00.000-08:00

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Spent a good part of today wandering Monterey Bay coastline from Moss Landing up to Capitola. Woderful weather, wonderful shooting conditions.

Along the Big Sur Coast

2011-01-24T07:08:00.000-08:00

Winter brings wonderful light to what is already a beautiful coastline at Big Sur on California's Central Coast. I am delighted to be back and to have another opportunity to capture some of that beauty. It truly is one of God's wonders.

Now that Makes It All Worthwhile

2011-01-22T08:10:00.000-08:00

AWESOME PICTURES JOHN! WHAT A JOB YOU DID CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF THE DAY. I COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR ANYTHING MORE! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. WE LOVE THEM.

Maryann Boyle, Westport, Connecticut

Monterey John Returns

2011-01-19T22:19:00.000-08:00

Monterey John aka Wilson of Waterbury Arrives in Connecticut

2010-08-01T07:54:00.000-07:00

I am really excited about getting going, providing the best in wedding, commercial and event photography at Wilson of Waterbury Photography. I just complered the wedding page on the new web site and it can be seen here

http://wilson-of-waterbury-photographer.com/Weddings.html

Yesterday Gerri and I took advantage of a break in the hot and oppresively muggy weather to make a visit to Essex, CT., a place I have not seen in years. It is still just as beautiful as I remembered it being.

Go East Young Man, Go East!

2010-07-28T21:27:00.000-07:00

Well, anything worth doing is worth doing to excess.

If you are going to move, it might be about as far as you can go and still stay in the United States. I have picked up cameras and computers along with the rest of my earthly belongings and moved to Connecticut where I expect to employ the knowledge and experience I gained in my years in California. I have set up shop as Wilson of Waterbury Photography offering professional and cost conscious wedding, event and commercial photographic services in Connecticut.

Rose of the Valley

2009-10-08T10:13:00.001-07:00

I was up the Salinas Valley to the Hahn Vineyard and winery. Their vineyard is bordered by some lovely roses like this one.

September 11, 2001

2009-09-11T05:42:00.000-07:00

September 11, 2001 - Where were you when you heard the news and what did you think and feel? I was at work in St Louis, Mo. I was stunned, then afraid and then filled with a sadness and a rage and I had not experienced before in my lifetime with the possible exception of November 22, 1963. I will never forget. (Photo from Wikipedia)

Carmel Art and Film Festival - My Entries in the Judged Photography Competition

2009-09-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

These photographs are copyrighted. Please do not copy or otherwise utilize these images without the express permission of John A. Wilson

Something to Brighten the Midweek - Lord of the Dance

2009-09-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

I love these folks!

Monterey Bay on Late Summer Afternoon

2009-09-01T19:26:00.000-07:00

Trying out the new video cam in preparation for a wedding shoot next week. This is a JVC camera, and their proprietary file format is NOT user friendly, but I think I have it now. In any event, it was a lovely day, as most here are.

Blue Angels and Lightroom2

2009-08-31T21:17:00.000-07:00

I love playing with Lightroom. I did a couple of things here. First i went in with an "adjustment brush" and brought up the yellow lettering and trim. Then I put in a slight vignette to focus the eye on the center aircraft. Lightroom is a wonderful tool. It has many applications which can only improve the quality of the images we produce for our clients.

Gloria Fire at Soledad, Salinas Valley, CA

2009-08-28T09:39:00.000-07:00

Yet another fire has erupted here on The Central Coast, this time in the Gabilan Mountains near Soledad in the Salinas Valley.

In the Vineyards of the Salinas Valley

2009-08-27T18:48:00.001-07:00

I never tire of the splendor of The Salinas Valley. There is no doubt as to why the author John Steinbeck had a lifelong love affair with this place and came back here to his final rest. It is magnificent.

The Singer - West End Celebration, Sand City, CA

2009-08-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday was The West End Celebration at Sand City, CA. It is an arts festival in the growing arts center in Sand City. There was great entertainment, including this really great local singer, marvelous displays of local artists, including moi and a good time had by all.

Pinnacles National Monument in The Salinas Valley

2009-08-18T17:35:00.000-07:00

This is an interesting place. What you see at the top of the mountain on the far side of the Salinas Valley is The Pinnacles National Monument. It is 1/2 of an ancient volcano. The other half is in the Los Angeles area 350 miles away on the other side of the San Andreas fault. That gives you an idea of the movement of the fault.

I shot this from the other side of the valley in a vineyard in the Santa Lucia (Coastal Range). It is about 12 miles to the Pinnacles from where I shot. The lens gave an interesting "flattening" effect making the mountains seem much closer.

This image in it's 11x17 print is quite dramatic and will be on sale at the West End Celebration arts festival in Sand City on Monterey Bay Saturday August 22nd along with many more of my images.

Salinas California International Airshow - 5 Blue Angels

2009-08-12T12:35:00.000-07:00

Did I mention that I love airshows and especially The Blue Angels? :)

I'm rather tickled how the Canon 70-300 IS behaved this day. Pretty good clarity. I manually focused, set the ISO at 200, set the shutter at 1/500th and just shot away. Worked out OK.

Why manually focus? Sky confuses the heck out of Canon system for some reason. I learned that lesson a long time ago. Judging by the sharpness, this was the right decision.

LR2 was used to make the planes pop a bit.

Salinas California International Airshow - Blue Angels and More

2009-08-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Another great show by The Blue Angels. They never disappoint.

I had a wonderful opportunity to see them take off from the end of the runway. It is a totally different experience from watching them from the grandstands. For anyone who does this in the future, bring good ear plugs and be prepared to be blown away as they take off in afterburner.

Here are a few images I captured:

Salinas California International Airshow - Blue Angels - A Slideshow

2009-08-12T08:03:00.000-07:00

Too many images to post all, so here is a slideshow to provide viewers with a bit of the flavor of this great show by the Blue Angels.

http://montereyjohnphotography.com/Galleries/Blue_Angels/index.html

Farewell Darrell "Shifty" Powers - Co E Band of Brothers

2009-08-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

My brother sent this to me yesterday, and it touched me. I have no idea who wrote these words, but it really doesn't matter. This is about Shifty.

We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.

I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers.

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 .. . . " at which point my heart skipped.
At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?"

At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day..

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said "Yes. And it's real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach.

He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer. There was no parade. No big event in Staples Center. No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage. No weeping fans on television. And that's not right.

Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

"A nation without heroes is nothing."
Roberto Clemente

Salinas California International Airshow - Almost That Time Again!

2009-07-25T07:12:00.000-07:00

My favorite event of the year is coming up August 7-9. This year it is Navy's Blue Angels for the main attraction plus a huge variety of other aircraft.

Here is a bit of an example of what you might see, a World War II P-51 fighter.

California Rodeo - The Horse Parade - Salinas, California

2009-07-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

It's California Rodeo time again in Salinas!

Here are a few images.

I have put up a web gallery of quite a few images from the horse parade at http://montereyjohnphotography.com/Galleries/California_Rodeo/California_Rodeo/index.html

Here comes the stage!

Young (at heart) Love

2009-07-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

Older couple who renewed their vows in the hills above Monterey Bay on a gorgeous day.

Remembering the Big Sur Basin Fire

2009-07-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

It has been a year since the Basin/Indian fires burned hundreds of square miles in the Big Sur hills. I have re-opened the page on my web site for remembrance of what it was like here last July 4th. Take a look if you get a chance and are of a mind to do so. You do not see something like this every day.

You can see the page here: http://montereyjohnphotography.com/Big-Sur-Basin-Fire.html

Portfolio

2009-06-11T18:03:00.000-07:00

Flash show of a portfolio of my work. Click here: http://montereyjohnphotography.com/Portfolio_flash/index.html

Adobe Lightroom 2 - A Wonderful Tool for Photographers

2009-06-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

This ia just a marvelous tool for processing digital images, and here is an example:

Wild flowers atop the dunes at Monterey Bay.

Can you see what I did here? Look at the cumulus clouds and the coastline of Santa Cruz in the far distance. These were all but washed out in the original RAW file. I darkened the cloud with the brush took and goosed the saturation in the coastline. Bringing up these details greatly increased the "depth" of the image I think.

Click on photos for larger images.

East of Eden - Shades of Steinbeck's Salinas Valley

2009-05-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken a couple days ago at the beautifully restored Davis House that is situated in the Salinas Valley in the midst of an abundent lettuce crop. It was a clear day after a late spring rain. The world was alive and singing.

One can almost see James Dean climbing the porch steps.

Pfeiffer Beach - Big Sur, California - A Short Video

2009-05-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

Come to Big Sur - you could do a whole lot worse. Here is a montage of video and stills I recently put together shot at Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur. It is a magical place, especially at sunset.

Camelia on a Rainy Day in Monterey

2009-05-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

Shot this today on a cloudy and rainy day at the Monterey City Hall. The light was soft and there were water droplets on the petals. What's not to like? So, I shot it. I do wish I had my macro with me, but the kit lens did OK.

Processing was not all that much: a little contrast enhancement, trifle bit of vibrancy and a dash of dark vignette.

Springtime up the Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California

2009-04-29T08:38:00.000-07:00

A Zen Moment - An Ultimate Truth of Life Nailed to a Tree

2009-04-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

On a trip up the Arroyo Seco the other day I came across this sign nailed to a tree at the shuttered and wrecked Miller's Lodge resort. All I could say to myself was, "Ain't that the truth."

San Juan Bautista Arts and Crafts Festival

2009-04-18T23:57:00.000-07:00

The San Juan Bautista arts and crafts festival is this weekend and there is a lot to see, do, photograph and eat there. It is one of the reallty fun events on The Central Coast. It is family oriented and there is some quality work to be seen there.

"Hog Heaven"

2009-04-18T21:45:00.001-07:00

We went up to the San Juan Bautista Arts and Crafts Festival and had a grand time on Saturday. Parked at the end of Main Street were a number of Harleys (Hogs), and I stopped to take a couple of shots of these classics. Here's an example.

On the Dunes at Ft Ord

2009-04-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

I have not posted much of late. I'd like to say I have been too busy, and I have been busy, but not TOO busy. Truth be known, I'm in the process of losing my best friend ... tobacco. California and the Federal government did for me what I could not do for myself, they raised the cigarette tax $2.10/pk. that was my $5/gal gasoline, it was the breaking point.

The patch has had all sorts of weird effects, like bizarre dreams and sleep disturbance among other things. I finished my taxes at 3:00 this morning after waking up at 1:00. You get the picture.

Anyway, I shot this last week on the dunes at Ft Ord. It was just one of those classic Monterey Bay days. We had been having some hit and miss rain and thus got some lovely clouds. I got down in the sand and shot through the ice plants and other weeds using the fencepost as a point of interest. It seemed kind of nice to my addled brain.

This image also was accidentally taken as a small jpg at ISO. I never even thought to look at the settings. So I de-noised it, converted to tif at 240 dpi then stepped it down for posting, and here ya are.

Thanks for dropping by and sharing in the joy I take in this art of photography. Enjoy your visit, and if you have any comments or useful criticisms, please feel free to share them.

Fort Ord Dunes State Park, Monterey Bay, CA

2009-04-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

The Ft Ord Dunes State Park is finally open. It occupies in part the site of the now demolished Stillwell Hall, well remembered by vets from WWII to Vietnam as the enlisted men's rec facility at Ft Ord. It succumbed to the erosion of the dunes a few years ago. The park had to go through a Super Fund environmental cleanup, mostly due to lead from the firing ranges that occupied the shore side of the dunes.

Stillwell Hall was the creation of "Vinegar Joe" Stillwell who built this unique and superb rec facility for enlisted men. It was superior to most any officer's club at the time. It says a lot about "Vinegar Joe" and how he felt about the common soldier.

If you would like to see what Stillwell Hall looked like, and it's worth a look, follow this link http://www.mtycounty.com/pgs-fortord/Stillwell.html

General Joe Stillwell is a story unto himself and for those so inclined, there is a wealth of information on line about him. Google ""Vinegar Joe Stillwell" and take a look at the remarkable figure from American history.

I was glad to finally have access to the dunes without having to hike long distances through ankle deep sand up steep dunes.

Born Again American

2009-03-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

I almost never say or write anything of a political nature on my site or blogs related to my photography. That is for reasons of not wanting to alienate potential customers. But for the last few months I have been feeling something between rage and fear as I watch this country move in a direction that scares me. Our foundations are being washed away like an Outter Bank beach in a hurricaine. Then a friend sent me this link... it's time to stand up.

Thanks to my friend Kip Allen at Right Face for this marvelous link.

East Garrison - A New Novel by Monterey County Author - G.M.Weger

2009-03-11T12:53:00.000-07:00

MontereyJohn Photography was pleased to have the opportunity to make this promtional piece for the fine local author, Gwyn Weger and her exciting new novel, East Garrison.

Pay a visit to her web site G.M.Weger for more information.

I Want to Be An Airborne Ranger, I Want to Lead a Life of Danger ...

2009-03-01T06:45:00.001-08:00

Today I was wandering around the long closed Ft Ord with Gwyn Weger shooting pictures for promotional materials her novel East Garrison. When I came to this old Ranger battalion HQ, I was just overcome with a profound sense of sadness. The place was full of ghosts of heroic men to whom we owe so much. It gave me goose bumps.

Uu-rah Rangers! Rest in peace. You are not forgotten.

As I walked these hallowed streets, I could not help but think of Rudyard Kipling and his poem Tommy:

Tommy

Rudyard Kipling

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!

Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur Sunset

2009-02-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

Just your run of the mill sunset at Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur.

Not bad for an old man with bad eyes :)

Minolta to Sony - Wonderful Fit

2009-02-21T17:03:00.000-08:00

While I hate to see the grief that has come to Circuit City, it certainly presents a lot of opportunties for bargains.

I have had for years a Minolta Maxxum 35mm with four very nice lenses. when I went digital, I got a Canon Rebel (thanks to a good friend in San Francisco named Manu) which has served me very well. I have thought about getting a Minolta, then Sony when they bought Minolta, but they were always more expensive then I thought made sense just for a home for my lenses, flash, remote etc. Then Circuit City went bust.

Well now all that equipment has a home. Thanks to Anita!

BTW, Spring has Sprung! This shot is from our backyard today and is a plum blossom.

MontereyJohn Video Cam Surfaces! (Sort Of)

2009-02-20T07:19:00.000-08:00

Last November as Anita and I were preparing to board the tall ship Hawaiian Chieftain, my video camera fell in the drink. I was in public, so I had a calm response (really just ask Anita!) It was a goner, so we just went on and enjoyed the cruise less my video cam (which was later replaced by an HD camera).

That was the last I ever saw of that camera, right?

Wrong!

Thievin' varmit :)

But what a great story.

Pfeiffer Beach, Big Sur - My Favorite Image - and the Rewards of Adobe Lightroom

2009-02-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

Of the many images I took at Pfeiffer Beach, this is the one I like best.

As much as anything, it is an exercise in the use of Adobe Lightroom.

The original image was pretty bland to the point of being monochromatic. I used just about every input available in the program to get this result. I darkened the lights, increased shadow, goosed the vibrance to the max (as opposed to saturation which I left alone). Other than the small blowout of the cloud, the result was impressive.

Pfeiffer Beach at Big Sur - Los Padres National Forest - A Must See Place

2009-02-14T19:29:00.000-08:00

The gem of the Big Sur Coast, home of the Confederate Yankee (for all you folks who remember the 60s through the Purple Haze) is Pfeiffer Beach. This is federal rather than state property being a part of The Los Padres National Forest. It is located just south of the village of Big Sur off Route 1. The turn is, oddly enough, NOT marked as though someone does not want you to know it is there.

The mostly single lane road, with occasional wide spots so folks can get past one another, winds through a stream valley down to this glorious beach. It is a day use facility with a charge of $5. In the rainy season the stream crosses the beach in a shallow and wide flow. The beach itself is by my guestimate about a mile or so wide. Just off the beach loom tall volcanic formations that taper down to the north giving unobstructed access to the Pacific at that point.

I have made several trips into the area to try to photograph the place in late afternoon sun and to try to catch a sunset. It should be noted that Big Sur is prone to fog, often very dense fog. I was fortunate on my last trip, yesterday, to finally get a clear afternoon with the huge plus of marvelous cumulus cloud formations remaining from our most recent rain. Here are a few of the many images I shot yesterday.

Do try to visit this magical location. Don't be put off by its remoteness or the difficulty in finding it. Ask directions if need be, or better yet, print out a Google Map before leaving home

Welcome to my Church.

(Click on Image for Full Size Picture)

A Taste of MontereyJohn Photography

2009-02-11T17:15:00.000-08:00

As I now am on Facebook, posting slideshow videos is fairly easy, and this is as good a time as any to put up a bit of my scenic California portfolio.

Son Will's New Motorcycle

2009-02-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

Son Will drove down from San Jose on his new bike and we "did" lunch. I of course had to get a picture and got one with a nice bouquet.

Prayer Request for Shawn Wilson Deploying to Iraq Tonight

2009-02-07T17:04:00.000-08:00

My nephew, Sgt Shawn Wilson of the 10th Mountain Division, deploys to Iraq this evening. The family is of course greatly concerned for him and hopes that all who know him and us keep him in their prayers.

Vista from Point Lobos

2009-02-04T09:29:00.000-08:00

This is a view to the south from Point Lobos. The Point Sur "rock" can be seen in the far distance which is better than 10 miles away. now that is what I call a clear day.

One Minute in Pacific Grove

2009-01-30T01:20:00.000-08:00

I recently acquired an HD video camera and today took the opportunity to try it out. I am amazed how much technology and capability can be put in such a small package. This camera is a JVC GZ-HD3. I think that once I have a bit of experience that this will be a good addition to the camera bag and quite useful. With proper software it can produce Blueray discs and shoots at 1080p. A nice piece of equipment.

Shot these images freehand just experimenting. Ran about about 10 minutes of "tape" and a quick edit brought it down to this minute. Put a little canned music on for flavor, and there you are.

Tomorrow I'll get out the tripod and try to do some serious shooting.

Winter Sunset at Point Sur

2009-01-16T10:11:00.001-08:00

This time of year provides the most glorious light for photographers here on the Central Coast of California. It is hard to make one's mind up as to where to go and what to shoot. There is such variety!

The Bixby Bridge Curve

2009-01-15T12:10:00.000-08:00

The curve in the bridge is what makes this bridge unique among the arched bridges along the Pacific Coast.

Fence at Sunset in the Hills

2009-01-14T23:21:00.000-08:00

I was on Laurales Grade overlooking Carmel Valley trying, ephasis on the trying part, to shoot a sunset on the lovely hills there. It was not going so well. I looked over my shoulder and saw this fence line that went over a hill and disappeared on the other side. It looked kind of interesting to me in that light, so I shot it and here it is. (The sunset shots are in the circular file.)

Moon Over Big Sur

2009-01-11T05:55:00.000-08:00

Shot this lovely moon over Big Sur the other evening. I liked it and wanted an appropriate quote to go with it. Oscar Wilde provided it well.

Several folks suggested that I market this as a poster.

I just might do that.

The Couple

2009-01-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

A couple strolling on a winter afternoon at Pomponio State Beach, California.

Goodbye 2008

2008-12-31T06:50:00.000-08:00

Special good wishes go out to nephew Shawn who is on his way to Iraq in the service of our country, to Susanne and Gwen who are having a sad time with the aging of parents, to my brother Mike, dearest friend Kip, and yes, me as we face our own challenges, to my grandchildren and their parents and to all others as we face the New Year.

May we all get up in the morning with a smile, treat others fairly and compassionately and just do our best.

Christmas 2008

2008-12-28T07:49:00.000-08:00

It was a joyous one!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T08:54:00.000-08:00

My old and dear friend Kip Allen put this wonderful musical video of my favorite Irish singers up on his BLOG and I'm going to borrow it.

Merry Christmas, Kip, and to everyone else out there.

Winter Storms Come to the Central Coast

2008-12-21T11:20:00.001-08:00

Winter has finally come to The Central Coast, which in our case means rain and storms. This scene is one of our smaller valleys along San Benancio Road as storm clouds roll over the hills with occasional peaks of sun. I caught this rainbow just before it totally faded out.

The second image is of a cumulus storm cloud building over Marina Beach on Monterey Bay.

And the final image is Marina Beach where the incoming storm was preceeded by some decent waves that attracted quite a few surfers.

A Good Friend Opens New Political Blog

2008-12-19T09:08:00.000-08:00

I normally keep my political thinking elsewhere, I'm a regular contributor to one such blog and occasional to another, but I did want to take this oppotunity to say something about Kip Allen's new blog, Right Face. He is a fine writer and a clear thinker. Please visit him when you have a chance at Right Face.

Just Something Beautiful - Ode to Joy

2008-12-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

Thanks to old friend Kip Allen for the link.

A Short Portfolio Slideshow

2008-12-18T10:11:00.001-08:00

For My Nephew Shawn Who Deploys to Iraq Next Month - We Are Proud of You

2008-12-17T09:20:00.000-08:00

Well, we are getting close now, and the Wilson family is acutely aware of the troops this Christmas.

Hug your soldier, pray for him and his comrades.

A Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

"Coastal Condors" - Marina State Beach

2008-12-09T08:58:00.001-08:00

Just another day on Monterey Bay, I spent lunch yesterday watching the hangliders at Marina State Beach. Even in the economic downturn, there is much to enjoy. What a fantastic place to live.

Hawaiian Chieftain - A Time Machine

2008-12-04T01:54:00.001-08:00

Two perspectives of the same scene from aboard the Hawaiian Chieftain. I enjoy shooting into the light when I can. The effect is often surreal as I think it is here. I grew up sailing and my love for it has never diminished.

Hawaiian Chieftain - Majesty of a Square Rigged Ship

2008-12-03T06:44:00.001-08:00

A trip on a square rigger on a glorious California Fall day.

Just Another Day at the Office - The Hawaiian Chieftain

2008-12-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Sunday was a delight. Put to sea on the tallship Hawaiian Chietain. (Pay their website a visit.) We got an extra treat when we saw a pod of gray whales. just a fabulous day.

Bringing a Knife to a Gunfight at Elkhorn Slough

2008-11-24T06:30:00.000-08:00

Well, just not enough lens to pull this off. The birds would not cooperate at all and kept their distance. No matter how much I played with these exposures they would not sharpen up. I was at or near max focal length for almost everything I shot yesterday. I tried everything I could think of ranging from high f stop to high shutter speed. The white birds in particular were a problem and tended to “blow out.” I could not get the clarity I wanted. Nonetheless, a good learning experience.

As for the shooter out there with the Canon 500mm IS lens, you have no idea how lucky you are I didn't roll you, steal that lens and throw your lifeless body into the slough :)

Why I Love Lightroom

2008-11-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

Today I went over to Route 1 and the mouth of the Salinas River. There is an old railroard bridge I have been wanting to shoot for a long while. The morning light looked good. It was contrasty, but i figured I could deal with that when I got home and loaded the images into Lightroom. that marvelous program did not disappoint me.

Pigeon Point Sunset

2008-11-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

Just your run of the mill sunset at Pigeon Point on Saturday. Well, not really, you normally don't see sunsets at Pigeon Point for the fog. So this 75 degree evening with crystal clear skies was a very pleasant surprise.

For a short Pigeon Point slideshow: http://montereyjohnphotography.com/Pigeon_Point/index.html

Pigeon Point Lighthouse Re-Lighting

2008-11-17T08:11:00.000-08:00

Another image from the Pigeon Point Re-lighting Saturday night.

For you curious techies out there:
13 seconds
@ f5.0
100mm
ISO 400

For a short Pigeon Point slideshow: http://montereyjohnphotography.com/Pigeon_Point/index.html

Relighting Pigeon Point Light

2008-11-16T10:41:00.001-08:00

I went out for the relighting of the Fresnel lens at Pigeon Point last night. It was quite different from last year. At that time it was about 50 degrees, windy and very foggy. This year it was about 75 degrees and crystal clear. I liked this year better.

We had a beautiful twilight.

Elkhorn Slough

2008-11-15T14:12:00.001-08:00

Our answer to the Everglades :)

A few days ago I took a couple hours to go out and visit the Elkhorn Slough (pronounced “slew) which is a huge wetland on Monterey Bay. It is now a national research center and park located on what had been a dairy farm. It really is a very impressive place.

This was just an exploratory mission. I’ll be making some more trips out there in the next week or so to do some serious shooting.

Golden Gate at Night - Another Interpretation

2008-11-11T22:02:00.000-08:00

Have i mentioned I love my hometown? People are "interesting," but the city is nothing short of beautiful

This is my personal favorite of the pictures I took last Saturday. I grayscaled it to give it that, dare I say it, Ansel Adams feel. Everything just came together in this image for me. Never thought I'd get a night shot to work like this. I learned some lessons.

I might try a smaller aperture next time to reduce the flaring around the lights, but that would mean an even longer exposure than the 20 seconds this one took. It might be worth a try though.

San Francisco Late Night

2008-11-10T05:37:00.000-08:00

Here's another interpretation of this scene. Not entirely sure what I did here, but I kind of like it. In the full version of this image, i.e. not compressed to a 72 dpi jpg, you can even see stars. I fiddled around with the image, tweeking color, contrast, fill light, lights, darks, shadows etc until I hit this surreal mood and stopped.

Saturday night on my way back from Sacramento, I stopped on Treasure Island which is the island in the middle of the Bay between Oakland and San Francisco. It’s a bit of an adventure to get to during the day as it is a left exit off the middle of The Bay Bridge. But at night it is pretty easy so long as you remember the sharp turn in the exit and don’t plow into the Jersey barriers. You then wind your way down the rocky tree covered hills to the old Navy base at the bottom which faces downtown San Francisco.

There I set up my tripod and started shooting.

I met a guy from the Czech Republic, and like all insane shooters at 11:30 PM on a Saturday night, we struck up a conversation and shared ideas and experiences.

When I finished, I headed over to Cressy Field in the Presidio, the closed Army base which is now a park, on the other side of town and shot views of the Golden Gate. Now you have to recall this is the city of the Zodiac Killer, who was never caught, to appreciate how I felt being down there at 1:00 in the morning all by myself. What we do in the name of our “art.” And I don’t even drink.

Well, it was fun and kind of thrilling.

Welcome to the World Logan Michael Wilson

2008-11-09T09:14:00.000-08:00

Mike and Nikita's bouncing bundle of joy.

We had a lovely evening in Sacramento last night and it was a joy to make my grandson's acquaintance.

Golden Gate Bridge at Night

2008-11-09T03:55:00.001-08:00

Just shot this tonight. I'm rather pleased with it.

Summer of Fire 2008 - The Indians and Basin Fires At and Near Big Sur

2008-11-07T09:32:00.000-08:00

As we approach year's end, this seems to be about as good a time as any to reprise the big event locally of this year, the great Big Sur fires.

This first image from just down the street from our house on the first day the smoke blew up from the South. It was eerie and a bit frightening. I had never seen anything like it before.

The next is up the Salinas Valley near the Aroyo Seco. This was the Indians Fire that was the first of the two huge blazes that consumed so much of the Los Padres forest.

The last picture is taken just north of Big Bur on the coast and is of the Basin Fire which very nearly destroyed the town of Big Sur.

Tricky Exposures

2008-11-06T09:33:00.000-08:00

A little techy stuff ... shooting in high contrast situations presents some interesting challenges. Here we have the dark rocks, the woman sitting on the rocks and the bright white of the surf that if properly exposed has all sorts of detail in it. If not properly exposed, the white of the water can "blow out," or the details in the dark areas lost to darkness. Adobe Lightroom makes this easier. Shooting in RAW makes it more so.

After the Rain

2008-11-02T17:45:00.001-08:00

The fall rains have finally arrived. Goodbye dust. Hello clear skies, great light and good shooting.

Twilight Above the Fog at Big Sur II

2008-10-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Beauty above the Fog

More of the glory of Big Sur. What a place. You never run out of things to see and capture, even the fog.

Nepenthe Restaurant at Big Sur

2008-10-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday I was delighted to take in a fall sunset at Nepenthe Restaurant in Big Sur. It was warm and sunny up on the hill looking down on the fog that had drifted into the coves below, obscuring the view of the water, but providing its own beauty.

Twilight Above the Fog at Big Sur

2008-10-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spent the day in and around Big Sur shrouded in dense fog, not ideal shooting conditions. Rather than lose this trip, I decided to get above the fog on the coastal hills and see what I could do. Here is one image from that effort (Shot at Nepenthe Restaurant.)

Pfeiffer State Beach, Big Sur, California

2008-10-20T05:05:00.000-07:00

Saturday my best friend, Rags the Wonder Puppy, and I went down to Big Sur to wander around on Pfeiffer State Beach. It is a place, one of the very few in this area, I have not visited before. It is an absolutely glorious place that surfers like for its reliable waves. For old guys like me, its glorious sandy beach and volcanic geology are fascinating. Even on an overcast day, it was a delight to behold.

Marina, Ca Air Faire - Finally, I Heard the Music!

2008-10-12T16:59:00.001-07:00

After the disappointment of the Salinas Airshow, I was delighted with the much smaller but far more appealing Marina Air Faire. One of the things that let me down about the Salinas show was the absence of WWII warbirds, particularly the glorious P51s. The Marina Air Faire more than made up for it with not one, not two but three P51s. I got my fix of the music of the marvelous Rolls Royce Merlin engine.

Monterey John Photography Back on Page 1 of Google

2008-10-12T15:40:00.000-07:00

After about a two month absence, the MJ website has made it back to the first page of Google under "Monterey Photographer." Do believe this time I will NOT fiddle further with the Index page. Lesson learned.

Salinas Author Gwyn Weger's First Novel Published

2008-10-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

Local author Gwyn Weger has had her first novel, East Garrison, published. I was delighted to provide the author portrait.

Quite simply, Gwyn Weger’s alarming, powerful, and brilliant East Garrison is
the best work by a first novelist that I have read in the last decade. Not since
Greg Iles’ Spandau Phoenix has there been such an auspicious literary debut. - Reviewed by Hugo N. Gerstl

The book is now available at Target and soon to be available in bookstores.

Salinas California International Airshow - A Disappointment

2008-10-01T22:27:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if anyone else is saying this, but I was disappointed in this year's airshow.

Sure, I went Sunday and the Thunderbirds were grounded by fog. I had been looking forward to them for months. I felt like a kid who ended up in the hospital on his birthday. It hurt too much to laugh and I was too old to cry. Oh well ...

But there was more to the disappointment than that.

In years past there have always been many "static displays" to enjoy. These are parked aircraft that have been flown in that you can get up close and personal with. There have been numerous P51 Mustangs, B25 Mitchell bombers and a wide variety of other WWII warbirds. This year there were no P51s and therefore no music of the Rolls Royce Merlin engines. There were no bombers. The vintage DC3 was not there. In point of fact, there was precious little to look at. The lack of things to look at cast a depressing pall over the whole event Thunderbirds not withstanding.

Most of the speculation I heard about this sorry state of affairs involved the economy. These planes are in private hands. They are enormously expensive to maintain, and as for the 100+ octane aviation fuels they require, well ... it is galactically costly, and it is something of a miracle it can even be found in this day of jet fuel.

Will the air show ever be what it was in the last few years?

One can only hope.

California International Airshow, Salinas, CA - It's Showtime!

2008-09-26T16:26:00.001-07:00

I went out to the Marina airport where the F16s of USAF Thunderbirds are kept for the Salinas Airshow. I was treated to flights by both the F16s (below) and the F15 (left) demonstration team. My ears are still ringing.

Please stop by and take a look at some of the other photos I took today at my web site.

Monterey Bay, CA - Gull Portrait

2008-09-24T22:06:00.001-07:00

No way to explain this shot other than to say I was very fortunate to get close, have nice light and stopped the lens way down to achieve crispness. Yep, this one pleased me.