The story behind the photograph "Stepping out into sea spray (Ballerina)"

Stepping out into sea spray (Ballerina)

I usually let an image gestate for a while before I decide to print it. However, I knew as soon as I opened the file on my computer that this one was special, and I rushed an order for a 36”x24” print that arrived at the gallery this morning. I think that it is stunning and I’d love you to see the print in person. Here is the story behind the photograph.

A couple weeks ago I was at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park in Key West on a windy morning. I had spent about half an hour there without getting any outstanding photos, and so I decided to leave. When I was about halfway to my bike, something made me turn around to take a last look at the beach. Two snowy egrets were flying to a breakwater near shore, and I decided to go back to see if I could get a few more photos.

The wind was pushing up some large waves that erupted into sea spray when they hit the breakwater that the birds had landed on. I was able to get within about 30 feet of them and started to take a few photos. After a few minutes, I saw a very large wave approaching. One of the birds saw it too and crouched in preparation to jump and fly away. I had prepared the settings on my camera and focused in on the bird.

It was a magic moment when everything came together as the wave hit the rocks, the bird jumped out into the sea spray, and I snapped a few images.

I did not have to do much to the raw image file beyond cropping it a little and enhancing the details and vibrance. I entitled it Stepping out into the sea spray initially, but several people mentioned that it looked like a ballerina, and so I added that into the title. To me, this photo exudes a sense of grace and beauty that existed in that moment.

Mounted on aluminum, the 36”x24” print in the gallery is $995. I can order any size that you like up to about 60 inches on the longest edge. I hope that you can drop by the gallery to see it!