Beach Stairs I
This post takes us back to the beach in front of Beacon Hill Park after a rather long absence. This time it was a nice fall day not long after the sun came up with good light. As the logs warmed up in the sun they were steaming off the frost that featured in yesterday’s post on my windshield prior to heading down here).
This set of images is by way of a slow approach to what will be a series of photos featuring the spiral of concrete steps in the middle of the bank between Finlayson and Clover Points. Hopefully the rest is not quite so repetitive as this post.
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In the spring I had a photograph of the many layers of graffiti (Beach Graffiti) that it inevitably attracts, since painted over (yet again). I also had a series of photos of the waves washed across the beach taken from on top of the stairs (such as Log Ashore).
This area is one of the approved dog walking parks and so there was a constant stream of dog walkers the entire time I was in the park.
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I have tried to discover some history of this structure (but not too hard, internet search only) without any luck, and this despite there being a detailed history of the park full of facts about constructing staircases to the beach. Oh well. Maybe some knowledgeable person will volunteer information in my comments section.
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Canon EOS 5Dmkii, Canon 50/1.4 lens, ISO100, each image tonemapped from three exposures taken at +/- 2 E.V.
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burnt embers 
Great series, love that second shot!
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Thanks David 🙂
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I love how these high contrast shots give us a bit of a peek into what lies within those shadows, a testament to terrific and subtle HDR processing. Fabulous photographs, my friend!
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I can see the steam in that first image – that big steaming log near the middle looks like some sort of life form!
i love the organic jumble of logs.
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I agree – some of those logs do seem to have an unextinguished life force. On some beaches on the west coast, where people come to sunbathe, cities actually arrange the logs all neatly! A complete travesty if you ask me.
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Thanks for the visit and the comments 🙂
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My apologies for being away so long, I have little time for looking at blogs right now. It was a very pleasant surprise to find all your great black and white photos. I have a soft spot for monochrome.
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I know how life gets! If I didn’t have the option to upload in advance I would have trouble keeping up.
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BTW burntembers readers – you can get to Ella’s current posts this way: http://ellamr3.wordpress.com/ since the link in her comments takes a roundabout route via one of her dormant blogs.
Check out especially http://ellamr3.wordpress.com/2012/12/13/twinkling-beach-at-night/ which is an excellent shot of a ferris wheel at night.
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The staircase has a beautiful graceful curve that show up well in these photos. I love structures like this, built to last. I think the third photo is the strongest and it shows the staircase very well. And the B&W treatment is perfect.
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Hi Ken – thanks. It is a very compelling form, especially against that background. I took a lot of photos and decided that black and white works best. I will be showing more – details from now on, as the week progresses.
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Love the B&W – great light and texture!
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Thanks Lynn – I am fascinated by winter light on tight clumps of bare branches, but find them extremely difficult to photograph.
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Great photos — Emily Carr painted that same stretch of the Dallas Rd waterfront.
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Hi Richard – it was a short walk. I would be surprised if she did not at least sketch it dozens of times. I find myself returning with camera to the nearby places because they are the easiest. Maybe she was a bit lazy too?
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