Shutterbugs

Featuring Beth Sargent

The central coast of California is one of the most beautiful places in the world. For me, being able to live here is such a wonderful feeling. Being able to stop and photograph a gorgeous sunset on my way home feels almost like heaven.

Sunrays Through the Pier

One of the nicest things about being a photographer here on the central coast is that there is such comradery among fellow photographers. The friendships I have developed with other photographers here are an unexpected and wonderful surprise. In my opinion central coast photographers are the best.

I have always loved photography. When I was young, I would sneak off with the family's brownie camera. I loved the thrill of seeing what I had captured when the film was developed. My parents weren't so happy about it however. In my late teens I purchased a Yashica Single Lens Reflex Film Camera. I never went anywhere without it capturing moments in time. I would get together with friends and family to share a slide show. It was always a big hit. But nothing gave me more joy than wondering off on my own to capture sunsets, take close up shots of flowers, or photograph star trials at night . . . nature photography was my real love.

Shadow Riders

Yellow Barn

Soon work and life seemed to get in the way of my photography. There was a large gap in time before I picked up a camera again to shoot images that inspired me. I am not sure what made me decide to give in to my creative side and capture nature's beauty. One reason could have been that digital technology was improving so much that I liked the results I had been seeing. But whatever the reason, it was like I had been waiting most of my life to photograph nature again. It was like coming home.

Moonbow

In 2008 I purchased my first Digital SLR camera and joined The San Luis Obispo Camera Club. Joining a local camera club can really improve anyone's photography. I highly recommend this camera club to anyone. The talent and photo opportunities are 2nd to none. At my very first meeting, a really talented photographer talked about High Dynamic Range Photography, also known as HDR. I went home that evening and downloaded an HDR program. The rest is history. HDR Photography seemed to resonate with me. Most of my landscapes and seascapes incorporate this technique. HDR allows me to get the light levels in my finished image that I can't get with just one shot. The result is a shot that looks exactly as the scene actually appeared.

Landscapes and nature photography, especially birds, are my main focus. Early morning and late afternoon are my favorite times to photograph. I just love coastal sunsets, sunrises, rural and nature scenes.

Though all birds are of great interest to me, raptors are my favorite. What is it about photographing birds that has me hiding out in bushes, wearing silly looking camouflage clothing? I am not quite sure. I think it is the wildness, the freedom of flight, and the determination of nature to survive. Whatever it is, I am driven to seek out birds of prey and capture them in action. I almost always get to witness some incredible action.  I absolutely love it.

There are times when someone will say to me, "Photography is your hobby." I smile and say, "not true." It is way more than a hobby. It is what I do. For me, photography is a passion.

I found a quote from a poem that really says it all for me. . .
               "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." Rumi-Sufi Poet

You can view Beth's photography on Flickr and visit her website, Photography Universe.
Her work is also on display and for sale at The Gallery at Marina Square, 601 Embarcadero, Suite 10 (upstairs), Morro Bay, California 93442

Queen Butterfly on Banner by Elizabeth Henderson