Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Photo: Giant Dipper Rollercoaster, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, CaliforniaI had driven past the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk twice in the past but had never walked around. The first time, I was on the way to the opening of Frans Lanting's gallery in Santa Cruz and it was raining outside. The 2nd time, I was on my way to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Well this time, I was in Santa Cruz strictly for the Beach Boardwalk.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is one of those places that you can't say you have done the California coast until you have been there. It is referred to as "Coney Island of the West" and for good reason. It's probably the biggest beach amusement park in the West Coast. Pacific Pier in Santa Monica is decent sized for being on a pier, but the Santa Cruz Boardwalk is a full-blown amusement park - a destination of it's own. The best part about it is that it is free to go there.
I felt sort of guilty right before shooting this picture. I was sitting on the curb cleaning my gear when a pretty girl was riding by on her bike. I made eye-contact with her. She smiled. I go back to minding my business. Then about ten seconds later I heard a loud crashing sound. Her tire got caught in-between the railroad tracks apparently. The family sitting next me got up and helped her out because she fell in front of their face. Meanwhile I was sitting there pondering, "What the hell just happened?!?"
The girl was fine and rode off eventually, but I felt like a jerk for not putting my gear down for a second and join in seeing if she was alright... Sometimes it's better to act first and think later. That is a concept that works well for photography as well. Photographers that are too methodical will miss all the important shots during key moments of action. In hindsight, it would have been awesome to have photographed her riding by and falling. :-)
The people riding on Giant Dipper were clearly having a better day.
70-300 @ 142mm, f7.1, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400
Labels: beaches, California, images, Monterey Bay, photos, pictures, travel
posted by Richard @ 1:42 PM
7 comments
Richard Wong Photography: Image Boutique
7 Comments:
Richard,
This is so cool that you wrote about the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Growing up in San Jose (which is only 30 miles from there), I used to go there often. I rode this roller coaster probably a hundred times and it's the best!
Lately, I have been dreaming of going there. In fact, just yesterday I was thinking about Santa Cruz. The last time I was there was about 8 years ago for a wedding. But, the last time I was at the boardwalk was at least 20 years ago.
I have a long list of "best childhood memories" and SC is one of them!
Thanks for sharing this experience. It took me way back in time!
Sherri
Hi Richard,
Well you captured a really nice photo - even if you did let your future wife ride away!
Ron
Oh wow, cool Sherri! Roller coasters freak me out because I'm scared of heights but I have gone on a few simple ones.
Thanks Ron... for rubbing it in. :-) Maybe she'll see this post someday and laugh.
that's hilarious! so much for chivalry. jk. ;) always great to know the story behind the picture. i agree with you about santa cruz. love it there!
erin
Thanks Erin. At least I'm aware of my lack of chivalry. :-) Some guys don't even know they aren't.
haha it's ok, it was just an off moment. ;D awareness of a lack of chivalry = honesty, which is also a wonderful and rare quality in a man!
- erin
Thanks, gotta make up for the lack of chivalry somehow I guess. :-o
Post a Comment
<< Home