The capturing of “Laguna Beach Wave” has been a fun, but difficult process. The idea of capturing a crashing wave in a panoramic look has been on my mind for a long time – I just had to figure out how to accomplish it.
It wasn’t as easy as going out and getting a huge mega-pixel camera and taking the shot. I wanted the fewest number of time laps to capture the whole cycle of the wave from rise to fall (crash) in one photograph. After months of testing, I created a sliding camera panoramic rig. This rig allows me to slide the camera while photographing. With a very fast shutter speed I start the camera on one side of the sliding bar and as the wave just starts to crest, I hold down the exposure button while I slide the camera to the right. This method gives me about 12 images over 2 seconds, showing the entirety of the wave’s cycle. The images seamlessly stitch together to make the one panoramic photograph.
After figuring out the camera technique, I ventured in pursuit of the perfect wave. I wanted a dynamic wave with a nice barrel break. I searched the better part of the Southern California to only rediscover a beach I liked as a kid, Aliso Beach, in Laguna Beach. This beautiful beach gave me the perfect rigid crest and smooth break that I dreamed of. It was a matter of searching for that perfect moment, waiting for the ideal weather and surf conditions.
I have always treasured the ocean and enjoy its pleasures as often as I can. “Laguna Beach Wave” is culmination of that love and the trial and errors, new equipment, the slight misses and the enormous excitement when it all came together and I captured a photograph I’m truly proud of.
Will be on exhibit at the Forest & Ocean Gallery in Laguna Beach CA starting Saturday August 9th 2014.
“Laguna Beach Wave” mounted to a piece of optical acrylic.
