Sculpted by Waves

[AlanLichty]

Shore Acres State Park along the Oregon coast has some of the most unique rock exposures mostly carved out by winter waves. This place gets some of the highest waves along this part of the Oregon coast when the swells are high and coming from the right direction and pound the rocky cliffs in some spectacular displays. This is from a visit in the fall of 2021 with no storm in sight so its safe to wander around in the virtual moonscape left behind.

C&C always welcome.

 

[Comet Hunter]

Very interesting capture

 

[AlanLichty]

Very interesting capture

Thanks - it's a pretty distinctive set of formations along this small exposure of the coast.

 

[JimFox]

A moonscape is a great way to describe this. That's a fun place it capture.

 

[Trent Watts]

Great image to show off the textures and colours in the rocks Alan. Must be quite a sight when a storm is attacking the beach.

 

[AlanLichty]

A moonscape is a great way to describe this. That's a fun place it capture.

Thanks Jim - lots of fun to play around on those rock faces when the storms aren't threatening.

 

[AlanLichty]

Great image to show off the textures and colours in the rocks Alan. Must be quite a sight when a storm is attacking the beach.

Thanks Trent - this is more of a rock face than a beach. This spot is about 30' above the normal high tide waterline but something about the shape of the sea floor right in this spot forces the waves to shoot up 30-40' or more when the swells are high enough and coming from the right direction. I posted this video a few years back when I got a chance to stop by during a big (20-30') swell event. At about 2 minutes into the video you will see one of the breakers make it up to the spot where the shot above was taken.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Interesting formations. Amazing what pounding water can do to rocks.

 

[AlanLichty]

Interesting formations. Amazing what pounding water can do to rocks.

Thanks - the types of rocks that are getting pounded make a difference too. The strata along this chunk of coastline are at a 45º angle so there are a lot of different layers exposed with differing erosion characteristics.

 

[BlackRockArt]

Shore Acres State Park along the Oregon coast has some of the most unique rock exposures mostly carved out by winter waves. This place gets some of the highest waves along this part of the Oregon coast when the swells are high and coming from the right direction and pound the rocky cliffs in some spectacular displays. This is from a visit in the fall of 2021 with no storm in sight so its safe to wander around in the virtual moonscape left behind.

View attachment 79971

C&C always welcome.

This is almost out of this world like, I am putting this park on my next stop list. Thanks for sharing.

Oliver

 

[AlanLichty]

This is almost out of this world like, I am putting this park on my next stop list. Thanks for sharing.

Oliver

Thanks Oliver - this place is definitely worth a stop. There are lots more weird formations near this scene. It's almost like a coastal version of a mini Bisti.

 

[katcet]

The textures and patterns in the rock are mesmerizing—it does look like a moonscape. The contrast between the smooth, sculpted formations and the layered rock beneath adds much depth to the image.

Did you use specific settings or post-processing techniques to highlight the texture vividly?

 

[AlanLichty]

The textures and patterns in the rock are mesmerizing—it really does look like a moonscape. The contrast between the smooth, sculpted formations and the layered rock beneath adds much depth to the image. You’ve done a great job of showcasing this unique landscape's intricate details and colors.

Did you use specific settings or post-processing techniques to vividly bring out the texture?

Thanks katcet - Nothing my usual M.O. for shots like this: I run the RAW image through DxO PureRAW and then do a bit of light and color grading in Lightroom Classic and then export the file to Photoshop. I use the History Brush to further balance out the light to bring up the deepest shadows and add localized contrasts.

 

[Beth]

definitely unique! and pretty cool to photograph, too.

 

[AlanLichty]

definitely unique! and pretty cool to photograph, too.

Thanks - this little chunk of the Oregon coast is a real gem for interesting looking formations and coastal scenery.

 

[Michael13]

An area I know well and like to revisit whenever I can. If you crop out the trees on top, you might think the photo was made in Arizona. Nice job of balancing direct light and shadow!

 

[AlanLichty]

An area I know well and like to revisit whenever I can. If you crop out the trees on top, you might think the photo was made in Arizona. Nice job of balancing direct light and shadow!

Thanks Michael - I thought about cropping the trees out but I lost a bunch of the top of the rock formations with most of the crops I tried so I finally just left them in.