This new video gives you a peek at Latitudes Gallery in Ventura, California. Quick interviews of Stephanie Hogue and Steve Munch are blended with stills and video footage that they have created on the ocean and on land. Their work is permanently on display and for sale at their downtown Ventura location.
“Wavelengths….”The Heartbeat of the Ocean”
|
We will be at lots of art festivals this year! Here is a photo of our booth and some of the places we are planning to show. Hope you can make it out to say hello!
Latitudes Festival Booth
Sunday March 23rd. “Celebration of the Whales”
10am-3pm
Channel Islands Harbor- Farmer’s Market
*We will be having a free drawing for a 24×36 Framed canvas of “Family Surf Lesson”
April 26th, 2014
Ventura Earth Day Eco Fest
10am-5pm
Ventura Promenade Park
May 24-26, 2014
Fiesta Hermosa
10am-6pm
Downtown Hermosa Beach
The past 5 mornings I have been up at 5am racing around gathering up my gear, a sunrise shot a little different than my usual landscape image. The shot I am after is a perfect shot from inside a California barrel looking out at a beautiful west coast sunrise. It is an Image that has been captured by many other photographers for as long as cameras have been incased in water proof housings. As with most visions of perfection this one has proved to be a bit of a challenge 🙂
Perfection seems to have many faces…:) Now I am not sure the goal that seemed so obvious a mere 5 days ago, will ever be achieved!
After 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!!
Since moving back to my old stomping grounds in Hollywood Beach, I have made it a point to be up and out of the house before day break, walking the beach and capturing the incredibly diverse wildlife and ever changing shoreline. Here are a few of my recent images.
Willets trying to stay warm in the pre dawn cold.
High Surf and Tides created large foam formations.
Offshore winds and large waves create perfect wind surfing conditions for this California Brown Pelican.
Early morning Surf Session silhouette.
Sanderlings racing in and out with the tides in search of food.
Enjoy!
Got to spend the day at Santa Cruz Island with my older brother Mike, I had asked him to put his wood carving talents to work and to carve a series of Humpback Whale pieces to display at upcoming shows we are participating in and what better way to gain perspective of your subject than quietly observing these giants at times just a few feet away.
The display included fin slapping, tail slapping, surface lunge feeding and an interesting obsession with floating kelp paddies. It was quite an experience and education in Humpback behavior. Looking forward to seeing what he can come up with.
Humback whale fin near the coast of Santa Cruz Island.
Humback whale fin slapping
Photography Shooting Tips:
The day was overcast with not much contrast. The whale would appear for only seconds and then be gone.
The ISO is high to ensure that I can use a fast shutter speed to allow for the quick change of direction the camera and lens have to make to follow the action, it also with give a more useful aperture f/8-f/11.
The +1 compensation will help with the expected flat dull light.
Shutter priority (TV MODE) are a must in this situation where the camera in constantly on the move, it also gives great sharpness to the drops of water on the tail and fins.
-Steve Munch
Hampback Whale
A stranded and emaciated California Sea Lion Pup was found outside our gallery on the rocks in the Ventura Marina. We called the local mammal rescue hotline, and learned of CIMWI- The Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute. They do an incredible job of rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife in need of help: http://www.cimwi.org
Sea Lion Pup #13
We are so excited to have our scenic and wildlife photographs on display at Anacapa Brewing Company! It is one of our favorite spots for amazing beer and tasty bites. The exposed brick wall makes the perfect backdrop for some of our favorite images of Ventura. We will be having an Artists’ “Happy Hour” Reception coming soon- planning on joining in on the First Friday festivities for February.
It’s so fun to start fresh with a new year and renewed commitment and enthusiasm for all the things we love. Getting out and shooting more is always a top priority! Steve recently was out photographing and came across one of our favorites- the California Brown Pelican- they never fail to entertain and surprise us.