From The Pier

By admin | Published January 23, 2011

I was 18 years old when I first saw California and it was love at first sight. I was a young man and I thought I had the world pretty much figured out but on taking my first steps as a Californian everything changed. Is that possible? Can a place change you? Can it make you think differently about the world and your place in it?

There’s no other place on earth quite like California; she is adored by some and loathed by others. Nobody seems to be dispassionate when it comes to California; everyone has an opinion. I’m convinced that most of what’s regurgitated is hyperbole voiced by the bitterly disgruntled or vapidly reverent. After 23 years here I don’t think California can be so thoughtlessly pigeon-holed. For most of us, for me, California is home.

 

 

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64 Comments

  1. Posted January 23, 2011 at 8:39 pm by Michael | Permalink

    So beautiful. I want to go to there…

    Reply
    • Posted January 23, 2011 at 8:41 pm by admin | Permalink

      Open invitation! :-) Thanks Michael!

      Reply
  2. Posted January 23, 2011 at 8:45 pm by D. K. Sutton | Permalink

    I really like the composition of this shot! Some day I hope to get out to California. Never been there.

    Reply
    • Posted January 23, 2011 at 8:47 pm by admin | Permalink

      Oh, you must visit–we’ll go shooting! Thanks d.k!

      Reply
  3. Posted January 23, 2011 at 9:34 pm by sheila | Permalink

    Home for me too! Always. Love the color.

    Reply
  4. Posted January 23, 2011 at 9:47 pm by Daniel | Permalink

    I really like the variety of colors and textures. What a story this photo tells! Great job.

    Reply
  5. Posted January 23, 2011 at 9:57 pm by Kala | Permalink

    This is one of my favorite images of yours Christopher. The selective focus and composition are fabulous.

    I have often said California has it all: sea, mountains, desert, plus beautiful farmland, vineyards, and orchards.

    Reply
    • Posted January 24, 2011 at 4:34 am by admin | Permalink

      I’m really pleased to hear that–thank you so much Kala!

      Reply
  6. Posted January 23, 2011 at 10:55 pm by fabrizio | Permalink

    wow only 25cent fot this wonderful panorama it’s a fair price…. Chris, :) splendid presentation tecnically perfect for me, really compliments

    Reply
  7. Posted January 23, 2011 at 11:32 pm by k@ | Permalink

    Ha, a great binocular, i love them, robot-like and so much fun in the shape, along with the beautiful beach it’s a very pleasant view and i believe you when you say you enjoy California, my best friend lives in LA. and enjoys his life so much, sun & peace (i’ve been said a big storm should be on your way, take care guys & enjoy your sweet way of life), this image brings so much sun – thanks (Paris is under a thin rain, what else is new ? ;)

    Reply
    • Posted January 24, 2011 at 4:36 am by admin | Permalink

      Thanks k@–I’ve said the same. Perhaps we’re due for a storm. :-)

      Reply
  8. Posted January 24, 2011 at 1:50 am by Olivier Jules | Permalink

    very nice capture!

    Reply
  9. Posted January 24, 2011 at 4:03 am by Rue Du Lavoir | Permalink

    Un très beau cadrage. Une très belle composition. Un très belle plage californienne…

    Reply
  10. Posted January 24, 2011 at 7:29 am by Anny | Permalink

    Beautiful composition Chris :) California.. one day i’ll be there.

    Reply
  11. Posted January 24, 2011 at 8:21 am by george | Permalink

    Ireland – pre 1995 – was a wonderful place, life evolved around people rather than things – after that it became a little too commercial. But perhaps its current problems will reverse some of those steps.

    I never got to California, Colorado was the nearest but maybe one day…fingers crossed!

    Good image too.

    Reply
    • Posted January 24, 2011 at 7:32 pm by admin | Permalink

      Thank you George! It’s a beautiful place–hope you make it here.

      Reply
  12. Posted January 24, 2011 at 8:22 am by Krunal | Permalink

    superb composition

    Reply
    • Posted January 24, 2011 at 7:32 pm by admin | Permalink

      Appreciate that Krunal–thanks!

      Reply
  13. Posted January 24, 2011 at 4:19 pm by Will Williams | Permalink

    Wow, I love the richness of the chrome, great work!

    Reply
  14. Posted January 24, 2011 at 5:49 pm by joshi daniel | Permalink

    nicely composed!

    Reply
  15. Posted January 25, 2011 at 3:53 am by Doug Hickok | Permalink

    Remarkable image. You’ve brought back memories with this shot. I lived in So. California for a couple of years back in the mid-eighties, and was able to travel around and marvel at the natural beauty of the state. Thank you!

    Reply
  16. Posted January 25, 2011 at 5:19 am by rainboy | Permalink

    nice shot … Hopefully before this life ends I will visit California… :)

    thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Posted January 25, 2011 at 6:19 am by admin | Permalink

      Thank you Rainboy, for the comment and for visiting my site! Much appreciated!

      Reply
  17. Posted January 25, 2011 at 8:01 am by Corinna | Permalink

    Beautiful composition. Love the pop of red, and the fact that the binoculars kind of look like a little robot popping up into a beautiful natural scene. Or maybe that’s just a little delirium from being cooped up in the house too long! Lovely scene.

    Reply
    • Posted January 25, 2011 at 7:44 pm by admin | Permalink

      Definitely looks like a robot–I don’t think you’re delirious! :-) Thanks Corinna!

      Reply
  18. Posted January 25, 2011 at 8:15 am by Alexandra | Permalink

    Indeed, I have to concur, this is an excellent composition, so evocative!

    Reply
    • Posted January 25, 2011 at 7:43 pm by admin | Permalink

      Thanks so much Alexandra, for the comment and for visiting my site! Greatly appreciated!

      Reply
  19. Posted January 25, 2011 at 9:43 am by Phil Vaughn | Permalink

    Great shot, Christopher! As for your narrative, yes, I do believe that there are certain times, places, people, and things that can be catalysts for our thoughts, perceptions, and attitudes. Maybe there are times we are simply ready to change and grow. California–it’s so multifaceted; how could it be adequately described? Hey, it’s your HOME and that’s what counts!

    Reply
  20. Posted January 25, 2011 at 10:38 am by Klaus | Permalink

    That’s, so outstanding Christopher .. the colors are brilliant. The little mist dust? makes it so special. And you makes me curios. I never stay in Califonia, but after your words my wishlist have a new entry.

    Reply
  21. Posted January 25, 2011 at 2:33 pm by PixeLuz | Permalink

    Interesting you chose to show us the binocular to talk about California, your home now for 23 years. Interesting because it’s a way to tell us: “well that’s my perception of California, you may agree with me or disagree, no matter”.

    By the way, i’ve been twice in California but didn’t see the seaside :(

    Reply
    • Posted January 25, 2011 at 7:45 pm by admin | Permalink

      Very insightful PixeLuz–thanks so much for the thoughtful comment!

      Reply
  22. Posted January 25, 2011 at 2:36 pm by PixeLuz | Permalink

    Looking again at your image, i notice the binocular(s) looks like a smiley, a smiling smiley, another way to tell us how much you like California :)

    Reply
    • Posted January 25, 2011 at 7:46 pm by admin | Permalink

      I love the smile on these binoculars! Thanks PixeLuz!

      Reply
  23. Posted January 25, 2011 at 7:26 pm by sherri | Permalink

    I’ve only been in an airport while in the state. Haven’t seen one of those things to look through since I was a kid. I like this kind of selective focus shot.

    Reply
  24. Posted January 26, 2011 at 12:43 am by Pau Blasi | Permalink

    outstanding composition, one of my favourites.

    Reply
    • Posted January 26, 2011 at 5:36 am by admin | Permalink

      Really appreciate that Pau–thanks!

      Reply
  25. Posted January 26, 2011 at 2:23 am by Andrey Samolinov | Permalink

    Beautiful colors and textures in the foreground
    Perfect shot

    Reply
  26. Posted January 27, 2011 at 7:53 am by Indalecio García | Permalink

    Beautiful colors!

    Reply
    • Posted January 27, 2011 at 8:57 am by admin | Permalink

      Thank you so much Indalecio–I really appreciate the comment and your visit to my site!

      Reply
  27. Posted January 27, 2011 at 9:19 pm by bluechameleon | Permalink

    I always like the text that accompanies your images. This is such a great shot…a nostalgic feel. Bravo.

    Reply
    • Posted January 28, 2011 at 7:30 am by admin | Permalink

      Thank you very much bluechameleon–I really appreciate that! :-)

      Reply
  28. Posted January 28, 2011 at 10:25 am by faisal | Permalink

    wow. the smoothness of the ocean is really quite cool here.

    Reply
    • Posted January 28, 2011 at 6:50 pm by admin | Permalink

      Thank you Faisal! Much appreciated!

      Reply
  29. Posted January 29, 2011 at 12:22 pm by yz | Permalink

    looks like an alien tourist at the beach :)

    Reply
  30. Posted February 8, 2011 at 12:15 am by Ayesha | Permalink

    good ,innovative composition.

    Reply
    • Posted February 8, 2011 at 4:59 am by admin | Permalink

      Greatly appreciated Ayesha–thank you!

      Reply
  31. Posted February 8, 2011 at 2:20 am by Jon Ander Echave | Permalink

    I love this shot. Excellent composition!

    Reply
    • Posted February 8, 2011 at 5:02 am by admin | Permalink

      Thank you very much Jon–I really appreciate the comment and the visit!

      Reply
  32. Posted February 18, 2011 at 3:14 pm by Tim Woodward | Permalink

    Great shot and thought provoking text, you have a great blog here Christopher! Thanks for visiting mine :-)

    Reply
    • Posted February 18, 2011 at 5:06 pm by admin | Permalink

      Many thanks Tim–appreciate the visit and the comment!

      Reply

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