Lone Cypress Tree of Carmel Bay, California - "Sunset Cypress"

DESCRIPTION:

The image depicts a Cypress tree from Carmel Bay on the Monterey Peninsula of California standing tall and proud on a granite hill overlooking the ocean. The tree is bathed in warm golden light as the sun sets behind it, casting beautiful orange and pink hues on the sky. The smooth waves of the sea can be seen around the hill, adding a serene and peaceful feeling to the scene. In this work of art, the cypress is a silent witness to the beauty of nature and its surroundings. The image captures the tree's natural beauty and the majesty of nature surrounding it.

THE STORY:

My name is Jamie, and I am a passionate nature & landscape photographer from Las Vegas, Nevada. I have been creating art from my photos for almost 20 years, first underwater, now on dry land.

It has always been my dream to become a full-time professional artist. Now that I have been capturing professional-quality photographs on dry land for a few years, I have an overwhelming urge to travel all the time. I dreamt of capturing my two favorite things in one shot, trees, and the ocean.

My trip was during the torrential rainstorm in the Winter of 2022 when atmospheric rivers of moisture hit the Western United States one after another. The rain had been coming down in sheets all day. Waves were crashing against the rocks, and the wind was howling. Despite my rain gear, I was drenched and chilled to the bone. I was patient and determined to capture the photograph I longed for.

I arrived just before sunset and began to set up my equipment. Storm clouds were overhead with only a sprinkle of rain from the sky. I became doubtful that the weather would hold out long enough to complete my mission.

The local weather alerts advised people to stay indoors as there was a danger of flooding, fallen trees, and gusts up to 48 miles per hour. I knew of the threat but decided not to let this opportunity pass me by.

While getting out of the truck, I saw the 15-foot waves crashing on the granite hill, and the roaring ocean renewed my will to succeed. The wind was whipping my hair around, and the chill in the air added to the excitement. I could taste the saltwater mist in the air as the waves crashed against the sea's edge while the smell of the cold crisp ocean air filled my nostrils. I was careful to stay safe from the edge as I did not want to get swept out to sea by a rogue wave.

The wind picked up, and I battled the elements to stabilize my tripod. As the rain remained steady, my heart sank as I realized water spots were soaking my camera lens. Keeping it dry long enough to snap a photo was nearly impossible.

I then realized I had a lens hood in my gear bag and hoped this would shield my camera's view from the rain! I quickly fixed it to the front of my lens and wiped the spots free yet again.

The sun was now setting, and I snapped shot after shot, capturing the waves crashing on the granite rock below the famous tree. The tree stood tall against the stormy sky, and the rain and waves added to the drama in the background. I knew this was the shot I'd been dreaming of.

I felt a sense of accomplishment wash over me. It was a dream come true to photograph the most famous tree in the world, and even a rainstorm couldn't get in my way.

I was proud to have persevered and completed my mission against all odds. The accomplishment of adding such a stunning picture to my professional portfolio brought me closer to my dream of becoming a professional photographer.

To purchase a print of this photograph, visit my Etsy page by clicking here.