Colored Dream ( 晨梦色彩 )

Sunrise at the Pier in Santa Cruz.

As it was my first time to visit this location, my friend and I wanted to come early to look for the place. In the process, I left home in a rush and forgot my coffee on the counter top. Without my morning coffee, I drove to meet up with my friend feeling half asleep. We managed to arrive really early and there was not another soul on this beach. When blue hour came, I took a few frames and my pictures showed what looked like an overcast sky with dark patches of thick clouds near the horizon. I started to doubt our decision and felt uninspired. Even with several waves rushed in to almost knee deep high, it was not enough to keep me awake. I was in a hypnagogic state at that point. My mind wandered away then all of a sudden a hint of orange light started to lit the underside of the cloud blanket! As I noticed bigger portion of the sky turning pink and orange, my adrenaline kicked in and I became more awake than any coffee can do for me!

This would turned out to be one of the best sunrises I have witnessed in recent memory with my camera on hand. The colors lasted for merely few minutes, but it was enough for me to make a few shots and found one that I like. The peak condition couldn't have come at a better time with the deck lights still on.

On this morning, no coffee was needed and I woke up to a colored dream! ...Hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Until next time...

All Images and Content Copyright © Wilson Ng Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Please Do Not Use or Copy Without Written Permission from Wilson Ng.

Nature's Fireworks

Sun Beam Lighting Up the Sea Splash. Big Sur, CA.

For a few weeks in a year, the setting sun aligns perfectly with this Tafoni sandstone arch to cast a light beam through the portal. When combined with the right tide level and surf, sun rays will light up the splash from the waves making it looks like fireworks. While all of that was happening during the shoot, a bird decided to participate and stood there acting as my instant model. Even though the light show ended early that day when the sun hid behind the incoming marine layer, I definitely had a fun time at the beach shooting this scene.

Updates: This picture won the 7th place in the 2014 Bay Area Photo Contest sponsored and organized by Pashadelic Landscape Photography, and Tamron USA.

All Images and Content Copyright © Wilson Ng Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Please Do Not Use or Copy Without Written Permission from Wilson Ng.

Heart of San Francisco

There are certain things in life that are better seen or appreciated from afar. Such was the feeling I got looking at this view of downtown San Francisco on this night. I have been to the city for countless times over the years. On most trips though, I felt rushed and stressed out - may it be due to the traffic, some reckless driver cutting into my lane, fighting for some precious parking spots, or just simply the hectic pace of busy urban life - and that kinda got me preoccupied and prevented me from appreciating the beauty of the city up close while being there.

As I stood here waiting for the sky to get dark, I got to observe just how vibrant and alive the city was. I was also particularly attracted to the S-curve freeway that nicely led cars in and out of the city center (thus the title) and conveyed a sense of how busy the city really is at any given time. The holiday lights topped it all off just like makeups being worn by a lovely lady.

Hope everyone had a great holiday break, and may 2014 be as bright and "vibrant" to you like how the beacon shined in this night sky!

All Images and Content Copyright © Wilson Ng Photography. All Rights Reserved.

Please Do Not Use or Copy Without Written Permission from Wilson Ng.