Category Archives: Steve’s blog posts

Blog posts by Steve Munch

Behind the Scenes: Spinner Dolphins

This pod of dolphins approached me while I was photographing turtles. They approached me at first with caution. They seemed to be content keeping their distance, so I continued to stay with the turtles. The group’s second approach was quite different. They seemed much less concerned and far more curious. The encounter lasted over 20 minutes and in the end I left feeling like a welcomed visitor of the pod. I admire how much love these beautiful creatures share with each other and how fortunate I was to get the chance to experience and photograph it.

-Steve Munch

Behind the Scenes: Mighty Chieftain

In February of 2015, a major winter storm had just passed through, leaving behind clear skies and rare snow on our local mountains and foothills. I headed off one morning, hopeful to get a shot of Ventura Harbor with the snowcapped mountains in the background. Unable to find the harbor shot I wanted among the docks and moored boats, I walked to the harbor entrance where thundering, 25 foot plus waves were imploding on the breakwater, sending geysers of spray and foam high into the sky. I wanted to document this power and beauty, but still something was missing. I needed something in the for perspective and scape. That’s when I saw the Hawaiian Chieftain looming on the horizon.

I waited. So did the Chieftain. She hovered off the entrance of the harbor, perhaps assessing the risk of attempting to enter the harbor. I waited for a half hour before those on board made the decision to give it a go.

The Chieftain approached from the west. For long moments all you could see were the tops of her mat as she fell into the giant troughs. The current and massive swells had no pushed her into a very dangerous position, turning her broadside to the incoming waves, rearing nauseatingly high. One wave broadside and she would go over. This was no mere photo opportunity but a very real moment of desperation. I looked up over my camera to confirm that the waves weren’t an illusion created through the compression of my telephoto lens. They weren’t. My stomach twisted. I was sure the Chieftain’s captain had made a life-altering mistake that would see his ship and are into the cold, unforgiving water.

As the Chieftain made her final run I stayed focused. Her speed was impressive. With 50 yards separating her from the safety of the protected waters behind the breakwater, a think ball of black diesel smoke bellowed from her stack (she was at full power and moving fast) as the waves exploded, whitewater reaching hundreds of feet into the air.

In the end, half a boat length was the difference between joyous celebration and tragedy.

-Stephanie Hogue

Behind the Scenes: Mr. Lucky

We call him Mr. Lucky, and with good reason, for the odds are stacked astronomically against him. Each hatchling that bursts from the sand has less than a one percent chance of reaching maturity. A thousand eggs are laid so that one will survive. Yet each hatchling bursts forth as if it is the chosen one. There is always a chance.

The miracle doesn’t end at the water’s edge. Plunging into the surf, the hatchling, no bigger than a child’s hand, remains undaunted: having never seen the ocean before, the turtle swims an unerring course, first through crashing surf and then across the seas themselves, more blank and featureless than anything terra firma can conjure. They swim, for the most part, alone. Each is captain of its own fate.

Still they swim on, a dogged journey of survival and, no doubt, luck.

-Stephanie Hogue

Kauai Images, best time to take pictures.

Photographing waves or wildlife on Kauai, is often far more productive in the mid day light. In a world where most photographers shoot in the pre dawn or pre dusk (Golden Hour) light. Kauai and its tropical waters and reefs are best shooting when the sun is high in the sky, bringing out the many shades of blue and purple
this tropical locations has to offer. When visiting Kauai, sleep in and enjoy your morning, the best light is yet to come 🙂

Wave explodes on the rocks of the North Shore of Kauai

 

Wave passes over a Kauai reef.

Blue wave, against storm clouds. Kauai

 

Dolphins, bathing in the light.

 

Passing Honu, Poipu Beach, Kauai

 

 

Wave Foam, lucky shot?

While working in the Gallery one day, I could not help but overhear a customer comment:  “What a lucky shot; he must have been using a very expensive camera.” It got me thinking … are my shots in fact a product of expensive equipment, lucky coincidence or talent?  The customer was commenting on the image, Foamy Flute,” one of my most successful images Now, I recognize the customer has no real understanding that the foam (captured in a frozen state) was actually breaking on the sand at a speed faster than the human eye can process or appreciate.  The foam was happening with such speed that it wasn’t until I got my film back from the lab did I even understand what had occurred in front of me that morning, or just how perfect my timing, composition and exposure really was.

Lucky images are rarely stumbled upon; they are the product of many years of failures and successes. They are about effort, tenacity and memory. When an opportunity like Foamy Flute presented itself, it took every one of those past experiences to apply the proper camera, lens, shutter speed, depth of field, shooting position and ultimately the precise moment needed to open the lens for 1/ 2500th of a second (faster than the blink of a human eye). Ultimately, I captured the image in question, an image whose composition, lighting and timing are as close to perfection as any I have ever taken.

Which brings me back to the answer of my original question … Yes.  My shots are a combination of equipment, luck, and talent to create this very special image. 

Kauai Wave Photography

Wave Photography, on the island of Kauai is not only challenging, it can also be extremely rewarding. From 10 inches to 10 feet, Kauai’s crystal blue water is the ideal background for that once in a lifetime capture.

 

                                                    “Foamy Flute”

                                               “Emerald Jewel”

                                                “Island Thunder”

                                                  “Micro Barrel”

  “Heart Wave”

 

 

 

Kauai Corner Celebration with Steve & Stephanie!

Aloha! We are excited to announce the newest addition to our gallery;

The Kauai Corner

A Latitudes party would not be complete without Steve Munch and as a special treat he’s flying in from Kauai!

stephanie-steve

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Join us for light refreshments and snacks

Saturday, December 10th from 6-9pm

Looking forward to seeing our Latitudes family,

Mahalo

Artistic Adventures – Hawaii Volcano

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Your inside scoop on the stories behind the images.  Tag along with Stephanie Hogue and Steve Munch as they capture the moments that take our breath away.

As I was flying into The Kona, my excitement grew at the chance to see flowing lava from the Kilauea Volcano. It didn’t take long until I was on the foot trail to the point of entry, where the lava was rumored to be flowing heavy.
As I passed visitors making their way back up the trail, I could gather by their body language that I was about to see something very special. After rounding the final corner of a long 2 mile hike, I could see the steam plumes rising high into the blue Hawaiian sky. Walking through the lava field the heat is the first thing I encountered.
Within minutes  I was in the presence of actively flowing lava and standing on the edge marveling at the power and beauty of what is the ongoing creation of an Island. I spent the next few hours observing, enjoying, and appreciating the opportunity to be this close to nature’s most powerful force.
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~ Steve Munch 2016

Mother Whale and Mother Dolphin Introduce Their Babies

Beautiful aerial drone footage of two new mothers introducing their precious babies!
Captured just of the coast of Po’ipu, Kauai in March of 2016, by Steve Munch, an environmental photographer based on the island of Kauai. Each year he photographs and videos the humpbacks visiting Kauai. He had been carefully observing this new mother for a couple of days. On this special morning, she had her new baby and this curious dolphin mother who had also been staying close by, couldn’t wait to have the two meet.
Watch closely as the interaction is fascinating. The whale sounds were recorded the next day in the same area as this video was captured.

Wave Photography

IMG_2438_webIMG_1462_webAfter receiving a new water housing from Sean at SPL Water Housings last month a whole new world has opened up, shooting wave photography is beyond challenging 🙂 Photographing anything at a Gallery quality level is extremely difficult, having that composition disappear in the blink of an eye is mind boggling :0 I am learning to see and react to scenes that have not yet materialized and maybe never will 🙁
But when they do it’s a thing of magic. Here are a few Images from my attempts at understanding this difficult but extremely rewarding new path!

Enjoy!!

PierfectionAqua Curtain
Wind Surfing Pelican