Against the Storm, Can One Tree Stand as a Beacon of Perseverance?
The Story Behind Sunset Cypress
It has always been my dream to become a full-time professional artist. Now that I have been capturing professional-quality photographs on dry land for a few years, I have an overwhelming urge to travel all the time. I dreamt of capturing my two favorite things in one shot: trees and the ocean. The Lone Cypress tree at the Monterey Peninsula immediately made it to the top of my list.
The trip was during the torrential rainstorm of Winter 2022. The rain had been coming down in sheets all day. Waves crashed against the edge of the sea as the wind howled relentlessly. Despite my rain gear, I was drenched and chilled to the bone. But I was patient and determined to capture the photograph I longed for.
I arrived just before sunset and began to set up my equipment. Storm clouds were overhead with only a sprinkle of rain from the sky. I became doubtful that the weather would hold out long enough to complete my mission. The local weather alerts advised people to stay indoors as there was a danger of flooding, fallen trees and gusts up to 48 miles per hour. I knew of the threat but decided not to let this opportunity pass me by.
As I got out of the truck, the sight of the 15-foot waves crashing on the rocks and the ocean's roar renewed my will to succeed. The wind was whipping my hair around, and the chill in the air added to the excitement. I could taste the saltwater mist in the air as the waves crashed against the seaside rocks. I could smell the familiar freshness of the crisp ocean air as I walked closer. But I was careful to stay a safe distance from the edge as I did not want to get swept out to sea.
The wind picked up, and I battled the elements to keep my camera steady. As the rain picked up, my heart sank as I realized water spots were soaking my camera lens. It was becoming nearly impossible to keep it dry long enough to snap a photo.
I then realized I had a lens hood in my gear bag and hoped this would shield my camera's view from the rain! I quickly fixed it to the front of my lens and wiped the spots free yet again.
Now that my lens was free of water drops, I began to snap away. Each photograph captured the churning waters and the waves crashing against the granite rock below the tree. I knew this was the shot I had been dreaming of, and I couldn't wait to get home to see what had come out!
At that moment, I was proud of my perseverance and how I completed my mission against incredible odds. A huge sense of accomplishment washed over me as I realized how far I had come and how lucky I was despite all the hurdles and (literal) roadblocks.
Photographing the most famous tree in the world was a dream come true. Being able to add such a stunning picture to my portfolio was a huge accomplishment and brought me closer to my dream of becoming a professional photographer. And I couldn't wait to share my new work of art with the world.