Lone Cypress Sunset Panorama

This iconic location along 17 Mile Drive in Carmel, California, has been on my list for some time. Given that it is such an iconic location, I didn't want to simply capture the location. I wanted to compose a unique image in extraordinary conditions. After visiting numerous times over the years, Mother Nature finally shared a bit of magic light with me.

This was my last evening of a four day camping trip with my 12 year old son, Toby. With rain falling on and off all day, we decided to give this location one more chance. We were hopeful, but knew it was all or nothing in inclement weather. We arrived early and, listening to Toby's wisdom, we worked our way to a slightly out of the way vantage point. I couldn't ignore his goading, "Dad, you can't take the same old shot everyone else does"! Needless to say, he was right and everything came together.

As the sky lit on fire to the north, I sat tight on what i considered a meaningful composition. The sun eased its way through a gap in the clouds and, filtered by the moisture in the air, illuminated the seaside cliffs and cypress trees in an ethereal warm glow. This was all I could have hoped for. This is, "The Fine Art of Nature".

Enjoy the View!

Jon paul