Camera Data

Camera Model: Canon 10D

Lens: Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L USM

Shutter Speed: 1/20 sec

Aperture: f/5.6

ISO Speed Rating: 100

San Ysidro Creek - Santa Barbara, CA (April, 2006)

The trail running along San Ysidro Creek, near Santa Barbara California is a 2 mile strenuous walk from the trail head to the San Ysidro Falls. The trail was relatively steep with a few switch backs and plenty of poison oak on the edge of the trail. 

This image of an inviting pool was taken during a water break about half way up the trail. I came very close to not taking this shot because there was poison oak all around where I wanted to set up my tripod, and I had a hard time finding a good place to set down my camera bag. But the light was just too good to let the opportunity pass, so I carefully peeled off my camera bag and ever so carefully set it down in what I thought was a safe spot. Unfortunately, after setting down the bag one of the waist straps flipped out into a patch of poison oak. After reflecting on my options I decided to continue because, well, why not? 

The night before, I’d been reading about metering for studio lighting and how some studio photographers set their lights for a 4 stop difference between detail in the highlights and detail in the shadows. Taken around one o’clock with an overcast sky, the rocks on the right were moderately shaded by a large overhanging oak tree. The rocks on the left were in the open. To my delight, when I metered the scene I discovered I had a 4 stop difference between the high lights and the shadows. Yreka! Or, is that Ysidro!? 

After taking the shot, I carried my bag to the creek and carefully rinsed off the waist straps. I spent the rest of the hike visualizing a rich black and white print and a band of poison oak along my waist. Fortunately, the poison oak did not develop.  I’ll let you be the judge of how the photo turned out.

DouglasWalch@comcast.net