Lone Cypress Tree California Coast Photography Coastal Wall Art, Big Sur Landscape Ocean Sunset Print

My name is Jamie, and I am an artist and photographer from Las Vegas, Nevada. I have been creating art from my photos for almost 20 years, first underwater, now on dry land.

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 Cypress tree on the Monterey Peninsula quickly made it to the top of my list.

My trip was during the torrential rainstorm in the Winter of 2022. The rain had been coming down in sheets all day. Waves were crashing against the rocks, and the wind was howling. 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.

The sun was now setting, and I snapped shot after shot, capturing the waves crashing on the granite rock below the famous tree. The tree stood tall against the stormy sky, and the rain and waves added to the drama in the background. I knew this was it, the shot that I'd been dreaming of!

I was proud to have persevered and been able to complete my mission against all odds. I felt a sense of accomplishment wash over me. It was a dream come true to photograph the most famous tree in the world, and even a rainstorm couldn't get in my way. The accomplishment of adding such a stunning picture to my professional portfolio brought me closer to my dream of becoming a professional photographer.