Beaches of the United States of America Coast lines range from sandy to rocky as you go up each coast. The east coast the water is warmer from the Gulf stream while the West coast has more surfers. West coast feels different too, maybe the rotation of the water, or the energy, but it is definitely different.
Lighthouse Rocky West Coast Beach
Fog settling in on Rocky West Coast Beach and Mountains
Fascination with the Ocean is normal for me and many others. Getting energy from the ocean is something I have done in the last 15 years. Holding my fingers as if grasping a ball and pointing my finger tips to the Ocean, I allow my body to soak up the energy. My finger tips start to tingle. It is exciting and energizing.
After all the surf songs I had expected Sandy Warm Beaches. Imagine my surprise to find the West Coast was so rocky and so Cold. My first trip I was coming down from the Cascade Mountains in Washington State and it seemed to take forever to actually get to the Pacific Ocean. It was almost Oregon or it might have been Oregon before I could find entrance and touch the water.
Surfers California
Surfing California Wave
Expansive California Beach with Homes on Shore
Eventually as you move down the coastline it is sandy but still rocky. Patches of Sandy Beach. California has a huge amount of State Parks on the Shoreline for the General Public enjoyment unlike the East coast that is mostly McMansions. Yes there are huge estates on the West Coast but thank goodness the parks were established before the developers could take it all over for huge empty houses. YES I am a National Parks and State Parks fanatic because they are so enjoyable and allow many to enjoy the treasures instead of a few.
Virginia Beach, Virgina
Much of the East Coast seems to have pumped in Sand from off shore after the storms take so much sand away during hurricane season. Many houses built right on the shoreline or in the hills overlooking the ocean with natural disasters wiping out hillsides with mudslides or hurricanes destroying towns or a few homes on the shoreline.
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Key West Beach, Florida
There are many more beaches in the United States but will have to show more in another post. This gives us a good example of the many beaches and types on both Coasts. Playing around with fine tuning some photos with Photoshop. Normally I use them straight out of the camera without adjustments so it is interesting to see how a picture can change. These last two are of a lighthouse On California Shore. One I lighten up the foreground by playing with shadow and highlights as well as brightness and contrast. Tell me which you like better and why?

Tell me which of these two lighthouse pictures you like better and why?
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Eileen Ludwig of Digital Photography and Multimedia Art brings to the world insights about photography, multimedia, and Art. Early adopter of the Brownie Camera and an avid traveler she has photographed far and wide. Using this site to share with others photographs, skills, knowledge, and joys of clicks. She is owner of four sites: Photography, Web Design School, Social Media School and Freelance Tourist. Each are in different stages of development and evolution.
We all gather in this place to share experiences, strengths, and school of hard knocks, On Job Training. We can use this space to explore and understand the trends and concepts both as a beginner and advanced user. Pointing others in the right direction when needed.
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Twitter: manonthelam1
I like the one with the lighter flowers — makes it look more inviting…
Twitter: eileenludwig
Raymond it is interesting to use Photoshop to change pictures. Need to do more. Taken photoshop many times but never really used to enhance or change pictures since I use them right out of the camera. Eileen
beautiful photos eileen! love the lighthouse photos best- remind me of maine :)
i like the 2nd one best because of the details in the rocks and floors- more highlighting.
Twitter: eileenludwig
Lorna, I have Maine pictures but they are still in storage. Just haven’t had the money or wherewithal to get everything out and now thinking of moving somewhere else. The 2nd one does make it pop and it did have Photoshop applied. Will be using Photoshop more to make my pictures pop. Eileen
Twitter: thetravelchica
I enjoy a nice tropical white sand beach, but sometimes you need a beach like the one in your first photos where you get the rocky coastline and can feel the strength of the ocean crashing against it.
Twitter: eileenludwig
There is something about rocky shores and waves crashing on the shore that draws me in.
Twitter: SophieR
Lovely beach and ocean snapshots. Like the others, I prefer the second light house photo because I can see more details.
Twitter: eileenludwig
Thanks for your comment and vote for the lighten photo of lighthouse. Must learn more photoshop for improvement of pictures (to self)
RT @eileenludwig: Beaches United States of America #photography http://t.co/MxoFbXh
Twitter: christinahegele
Wow, fantastic beaches! I prefer the second lighthouse picture. The first one is too dark.
Twitter: eileenludwig
Christina, I like the second one better too
I love the foggy shot on the West Coast beaches and mountains. The surf shot is also great.
Twitter: eileenludwig
Lisa, The foggy shot reminds of driving in the fog long past when I should have stopped and lucky did not wind up down the hill with a tailgater. Love the look too
Beautiful photos :)
Muza-chan recently posted..A Japanese Song per Day: Alan – Natsukashii Mirai
Twitter: eileenludwig
Muza-chan, Yes I like the photos too
Twitter: jimshu2000
I think the top lighthouse pic may look better if black and white or much darker to get the silhouete effect.
Otherwise, yes the flowers providing greater foreground interest drawing you into the pic more.
jim recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday. Fish River Canyon, Namibia: World’s Second Largest.
Twitter: eileenludwig
Ill have to try it in black and white Jim – play with it in photoshop
Beaches United States of America http://t.co/diidDtQQ #TPThursday #Travel #Photography The East and West Coast beaches USA
Twitter: ExpatGermany
Beautiful photos, I like the second photo of the lighthouse better as the grass looks like the last sunlight is just catching it.
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Twitter: eileenludwig
Laurel the second photo does bring out the field in the foreground nicely
Twitter: eurotravelista
Gotta love beaches! I liked the 2nd Lighthouse picture. It was brighter.
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Twitter: eileenludwig
Debbie, yes beaches are great. Love photographs
RT @eileenludwig: Beaches United States of America #photo http://t.co/uXtCtPtR
Twitter: travelingwiths
So many first time visitors to California are surprised that the beaches are are really rocky and the water so cold! They sure are beautiful, however! Love the pics. As for the lighthouses, I guess I like the second one — more contrast.
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Beautiful beach pictures! http://t.co/CEBPg7sA
Twitter: ladyexpat
Wonderful shots Eileen. The second lighthouse shot definitely pops.
Twitter: InsideJourneys
I LOVE going to the beach, I too get my energy from water. I’ll have to using my fingers to hold the ball next time. I guess I just assumed California would have sandy beaches. Beautiful shots, Eileen!
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Twitter: cdngrrleh
I really like the second photo of the light house where you can actually see the flowers.
As always, great post. Quite liked the shot of the surfer.
I like the wildness of the west coast beaches even if they aren’t great for swimming.
Photo #2 wins my vote too.
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I recognized Heceta Lighthouse, a few others to. I do live in Oregon. I like the 1st light house pic, more dramatic, I like the 2nd for the pop, drama of the first. Beautiful shots all of them.
RT @eileenludwig Beaches United States of America #photo http://t.co/gbsvq2ma
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