I once shot photographs of waves by the light of phytoplankton during a major red tide event. That worked out pretty well, although it was pushing the cameras to the limits of what they could record. However, this time I’m not sure what I was thinking: I got up at o-dark-thirty to photograph waves by moonlight. The exposures were so long that just about every wave becomes smeared across the image in a blur of whitewash. I managed to make a couple images I am happy with, and I learned a lot about how to do it better next time. Cheers, and thanks for looking!

Breaking waves crash upon a rocky reef under the light of a full moon, La Jolla, California

Breaking waves crash upon a rocky reef under the light of a full moon.
Image ID: 28870
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

Breaking waves crash upon a rocky reef under the light of a full moon, La Jolla, California

Breaking waves crash upon a rocky reef under the light of a full moon.
Image ID: 28869
Location: La Jolla, California, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!