Santa Monica Beach, California
It’s September 10th and I’m so ready for fall, but where is it?? With Washington, DC hitting a high of 95 degrees today, I decided to post a tribute to the hopefully soon-to-depart, crazy-hot summer weather so many of us have experienced this season.
The story? My husband and I were walking back from Santa Monica Pier and heading to our car when I spied this still life in the distance. It was a good 2- to 3-minute walk from the path we were on to get within range for my 23mm fixed lens and we were both a bit hot and tired, but I just had to shoot this. I started a brisk walk toward the chairs (since my husband was patiently waiting).
And then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed someone approaching from the right pulling a large blue cooler and carrying a stack of towels, clearly headed straight to these chairs. I wanted to yell “stop”! Instead, I started to run (and we all know how difficult running in sand is, not to mention that my aerobic conditioning is on par with a turtle’s). I was determined to get off at least a shot or two before the young and apparently well-conditioned young man entered my frame. I’m sure it was a laughable scene! Who was going to win???
In the end, heart pounding, sweaty, and out of breath, I was forced to stop further away than I had hoped (yup, he was a bit faster). But all was not lost: cropping to the rescue. And when my hubby said to me “it’s still so small,” I just smiled, knowing I had ended up with the scene I had originally envisioned. Who won? Me!
I’m with Nelson and Amy. I’m sure if you had yelled Stop at him, he would’ve obliged, and maybe even posed for you for the shot Amy could ‘see’, and me too! Next time…
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Well, Janina, I’m so delighted you commented on this post as it brought to my attention that, somehow, I had missed replying to every single comment 😮 So I had a bit of catch-up to do! Anyway, never thought about yelling stop – besides I was so out of breath, I’m not sure I could have 😉
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Aww, come on Stacy, you look like you could yell real loud!!! And how many children do you have to manage…lol. 😉
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You did well. I love the simplicity of the composition. Hope it’s cooling off a bit!
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Overdue reply because, well, I missed seeing all of them on the post! Don’t quite know how that happened, but it did. So thanks for liking it 🙂 And as for whether it’s cooler? Well, since it’s now November, my answer is yup, it is!
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this is perfect! Brilliant composition Stacey!! one of my faves for sure!
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Thanks so much for your enthusiasm, Cybele 🙂 Sorry it took me so long to express mine! I just came across all these unanswered comments. Yikes!!
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no worries I’m a bit slow these days!
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It’s perfect! Love it.
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Thanks, Ida! The backstory for me makes it a treasured favorite for me 🙂
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How to be delicate about this? Size is relative! OK. That’s all I’m going to say in response to your husband’s comment. 🙂
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So, you must have thought I ignored your comment, Emilio. Nope, apparently I ignored all the comments on the post, only discovered tonight. My bad! But that being said, well, I think I’ll let your comment roll on by 😉
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Smart!
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I love this! White sand and big, blue sky — nothing prettier.
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Thanks, Katie! I do know how much you love the beach 🙂
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Love this shot You can feel the sun. I too am tired of the heat in the DC area and am disappointed we didn’t get any real rain after 24 hours of clouds, at least not where I live in Alexandria.
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Marie, my apologies for the late thanks for your comment. I apparently missed the entire post’s worth. Late but still heartfelt: thanks so much 🙂
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Love this simplistic beach shot Stacy! 🙂
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Thanks, Elina 🙂
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Is that negative space, if so bring it on… I love, LOVE this photo for its simplicity but it also says so much and the vibrancy of those colours together – IMPACT 🙂
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So here I am responding to your lovely comment a month after the fact. It’s nothing personal – I did it to everybody, as I apparently missed seeing any of the comments left here 😦 anyway, thanks for loving the picture so much, Kaz, and yes, I think it can be considered as using negative space 🙂
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No problemo Stacy. I don’t expect a reply. I just wanted to make sure i told you how nice I thought it was 😊
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😄
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I love this. It’s summer all over. Thanks for running!
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My pleasure, Lisa 😎
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LOL a turtle! I hear ya!! What a brilliant photo, so effective, I love it and can just imagine some fun words about Summer written in that beautiful sky. Love hearing your story Stacy, it’s good to know that other people go through similar things 😉 Brilliantly captured.
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Hahaha, thanks, Desley 🙂 I think there are many more of us out there who do crazy things for “the” shot 🙂 And when it works, it makes for some great back stories 🙂
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Ya gotta love a good backstory 😄😄
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Definitely a champion Stacy and I adore that shot of orange across the pale sand and blue sky. Beautiful!
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Well, I’m seeing your comment a month late, Patti – in fact, I missed seeing all the comments here, so it was nothing personal 😉 So glad you liked the shot! I was pretty happy it all worked out 🙂 Thanks!
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Oh wow Stacy, no apology necessary – I’m way behind in commentville!
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Although the same scene with only one person and his cooler sitting there would have been nice
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True, that could work, Nelson; but he was just the guy who set up the coolers. He was going to simply leave it there, and I really just wanted the chairs. I was a woman with a mission 🙂
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You are without a doubt the winner – fabulous capture! 🙂
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LOL, many thanks, Joanne (and though they are very overdue, my thanks are no less sincere!)
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I just stood on top of a table to get group shot for a FB post on the company web site later today. And I’m 66. And I chose the wrong day to wear a pencil skirt😚. Stacy, your photo reminds me of the last one taken at our Bethany Beach family reunion – serenity with a bit of ennui …
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Oh, I do remember that picture – I loved it. And you’re right, there are definitely parallels here (perhaps that’s what struck me so strongly about the need to get this shot!) Glad you survived your shoot too 🙂
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This is a travel magazine cover photo, Stacy! You won! 🙂
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Lovely comment, Amy! Thanks so much 😃 (And apologies for being so late with my reply – I totally missed all the comments on this particular post. Yikes!
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Stunning! Love the composition!
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Very late thanks, Ashleigh, but as the saying goes, better late than never 😉 I just totally missed the comments on this post!
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Ha, I can picture that. Well worth the run 🙂
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LOL, thanks, Claudia 🙂 and my apologies for not responding before this. I had no idea I missed an entire post worth of comments … 😜
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Love, love, love! The complimentary colors, the peacefulness….everything about it!
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Thanks so much, Robyn (and sorry for the late reply – I just found all of the unanswered comments here. My bad.) So glad you like it 🙂
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I love that shot. So funny what we do to get “the shot.”
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It always makes me feel better to know I’m not alone in my obsessive nature when it comes to a must-have shot 🙂 Thanks, Mary!
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I love it!! A winner for sure and so worth running through that sand.:)
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Thanks, Susan! It certainly does make for a great story 🙂
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I live in Virginia, just outside of Washington D.C.
And yes, here it is almost the middle of September and-all of the children have gone back to school.
Yesterday it was hot and humid, and in the mid-90s. Today it is rainy and in the 80s,
That’s OK with me. I love summer.
This heat won’t last for long though.
I know that the seasonal “shift” toward cooler weather is coming soon…..
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Hi, Mary, and now, a month later, I daresay that shift is here 😉 So nice to hear from you. My apologies for taking so long to reply – I apparently missed all of the comments left on this particular post. Earth to Stacy, come in ….
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It’s unseasonably hot here too, Stacy! I like you, just did a beach post. I’ve not ever been this tan for this time of year. Great image! Love the lines and color! ❤
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Wish I was sporting such a tan, AmyRose! 🙂 Thanks for liking the image 🙂 (And apologies for the overdue reply – I simply missed all of the comments on this post … Yikes!)
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Stacy, I so understand about missing comments. I get so buried at times that it boggles my mind. It is no longer hot here as the season of Fall is showing Her face. Hope your weekend has been good thus far. ❤
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Thanks, AmyRose, and it’s been lovely 🙂
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Looks like it was well worth the run to me and like it was all just placed there for you to take a picture 🙂
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Thanks, Kiki 🙂 I can’t believe I’ve missed seeing and replying to a whole post-worth of comments. Yikes! My apologies!
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