I can spend hours at a time searching for new locations along the coast to shoot. I use Google Earth, cross referencing with Google Maps, and then checking the California Coastal Project's aerial shots to see more detail. I look for access, angles relative to sun positioning, in addition to other features.

I know I am not alone. Many of you out there do the same thing.

But despite all this technology, I was pleasantly surprised to find an interesting rock in an old trail book for the Santa Cruz Mountains area. At the very back, there were a few pages thrown in with popular beaches along the coast, seemingly as an afterthought.

One of those beaches had quite a striking rock structure, and the obsession began. For the next two nights, I spent a combined six hours delving deeper and deeper into a multi-layered story of a beach that is on private property, and how this beach used to allow the public to access it for a fee. And then I found posts on forums lamenting the closure of this beach due to the property being sold. I found articles documenting the sale, and yes, it was true. Ironically, some of the rumors are that someone from Google bought it! The very tools I use to find new locations lead me to a location I can't access because the tools owner won't allow access!

The new owner being from Google is still just a rumor at this point, but the fact remains that this beach is temporarily, if not permanently closed.

I found my perfect rock, and now I can't photograph it. I am very sad. So sad, I drove the hour up the coast to see for myself, and yes, these sign says the beach is closed. I left a letter by the electronic gate for any random tenant to find as well as a letter for the former owner who still lives on the property, pleading for information and ultimately access. I am crossing my fingers.

Until then, I will have to make due with less than perfect rocks. I apologize for their inferiority.

Nikon D300
Nikkor 12-24mm @ 12mm
0.8sec @ f13, ISO 100
Tiffen .9 ND Filter
Lee .9 and .6 Soft GND Filters