Today I’m featuring a photo shoot I did a couple of weeks ago. The subject matter is the Oceanside Pier in Southern California. I had not been to the pier for a few years, but remembered it well. It is the longest pier along the western US coastline at 1954 feet (596m). The current pier was built in 1987 replacing a number of prior piers lost to stormy weather. For more information: Wikipedia. The town of Oceanside is located in northern San Diego County just south of Camp Pendleton (which lies along the coast between San Diego County and Orange County to the north).
I had a couple of hours of free time (I was a car pool buddy for my wife coming and going from Northern Los Angeles to a bridal shower for my niece at my sisters home in San Diego) during the afternoon and had decided to do this photo shoot. The pier is very impressive and I had just viewed another photographers photoshoot of a pier and was reminded how impressive the architectural structure of these larger piers were. I also chose to do the shoot in black and white as I like the architectural detail that is highlighted in a monochromatic shoot such as this. For some reason I have always been drawn to shots under the structure of piers, thus the number of those on this shoot. At the end of the pier was a restaurant (prior to Covid), which we had frequented. I’m assuming a new tenant will be found as it is a great location.
I open the shoot with a shot I took walking from my parking spot to the beach area underneath the pier for the next few shots.
Next up are the shots I took of the under structure in the order I took them.
Coming out from underneath on the other side of the pier which gives you another appreciation of how far out it goes with the restaurant building on the end.
I was walking out to the end and stepped off on one of the “pop outs” you see in this photo.
Passing the tower structures on each side as in seen above, I took this shot approaching the restaurant structure on the end.
And on the other side of the pier with all of the people fishing.
The last capture is from the end of the pier next to the former restaurant looking back towards the coastline. You can see just how far out the pier goes from this perspective as well as from the shore looking out to this point.
In case you were wondering why three of these shots have names under them, those are the ones I added to my galleries. It always amazes me how many shots I take and how I whittle them down to just a few favorites. If any of those I hadn’t named strike you as “gallery worthy” let me know!! Thanks!!
Thoughts?
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I really enjoyed this artistic series of the Oceanside Pier, Kirt. You did a great job of highlighting the structure of this popular pier, and it was fun to see everyone enjoying a happy day on the seaside. I liked the many different angles, the lamp posts, the people, and I espec. like the penultimate photo with all the fishing lines.
I truly appreciate your feedback. It was one of those “out of the blue” thoughts to do the shoot and then the results were exactly what I had envisioned. Thanks for stopping by and commenting…you made my day!! Hope all is well with you!!
I enjoyed the longer perspective shots and am surprised I didn’t know about this pier. Thanks Kirt.
All the years we lived near by, I never knew it was the longest pier on the west coast until I pulled it up on Wikipedia for this post. I knew it was long, but who would have figured. It was one of those out of the blue thoughts to do the shoot and the results were what I was hoping for!! Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great week!
It’s easy to miss what’s right in front of us. I never visited it when I visited my grandfather in Vista.
What an amazing pier. Your photos are excellent and give us the feeling for the length of it. Seems like a great way to spend your time, walking the pier and taking pictures.
It was a joy to do!! I hadn’t been on the pier in a number of years, so that aspect felt good. The shoot came out just as I had envisioned it, so was pleased for the “out of the blue” inspiration to do the shoot!! Thanks for the feedback and for stopping by!! Have a great week!!
I really like these Kirt. You did a nice job capturing different aspects of the pier. I also like how you processed them.
Thanks Chris!! I discovered this particular B&W filter a few years back when I did a photo shoot of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. It really highlights the architectural details!! Thanks for stopping by and for the feedback! Much appreciated! Have a great week!
That’s a cool pier! Great shots, Kirt. The black and white adds a cool effect. I always like going to the pier here in Venice. It’s fun to fish from the pier. My son even caught a couple small bonnet head sharks. Good to see people out enjoying the day there. Hopefully all this Covid madness will be over soon, and that restaurant can open again. God bless!
Thanks Ryan!! I love the B&W on these kind of shoots. It truly highlights the details of the structure!! All the years we lived in San Diego, I had no idea that this pier was the longest one of the west coast….who knew!! Thanks for stopping by and for the feedback! Love that your son caught two small bonnet head sharks. That’s something he will remember the rest of his life! Blessings and thanks for stopping by!! Have a great week: Blessings!!
These are all wonderful, Kirt. I particularly like the photos of the structure from under the pier. I’m glad you included those. I think you’re right about the black and white highlighting the details better. Now I’m left to wonder what you will make with these.
I hope you’re having a nice weekend.
Thanks for stopping by and for the feedback!! The three I picked to put in my gallery have been getting a number of hits….we’ll see!! Ironically of all my work over the years, my biggest selling print is of the Griffith Observatory here in LA, which is a Black & White I shot using the same type of filter. It does pull out architectural details!! For some weird reason I have always been drawn to photographs of the support posts of piers from the perspective of looking from the shore out to the end of the pier. It’s the depth created by the sheer number of posts supporting the pier!! Have a great week!!
Great shots, Kirt! This is right in my back yard and I rarely get there, thank you for sharing!😍
I hadn’t been there in about 10 years….I was blown away by how many luxury condos and resorts have built up around the pier. I use to take the Amtrak from Oceanside to LA for years on business. It was wide open from the station to the pier forever….now the high rises….I couldn’t even see the station. Amazing how it’s changed!!
Awesome shots Kirt! Piers are fun to photograph and you sure got your money’s worth here! B&W was a unique choice. 🙂
Thanks Denise….appreciate the feedback!! Have a great week!!
The black and white give the pier such a timeless feel, Kirt. The images could be current or a hundred years old. Love this group. 🙂
Thank you very much Diana!! It’s one of those shoots that piped into my head out of the blue and when it did, I could only visualize it in B&W!! Thanks for the feedback and for stopping by!! Enjoy your break!!!
I like so much it give the opportunity to watch the ocean. It is so exciting!
Thanks for stopping by and for the feedback!! Much appreciated!
WOW! Kirt, your photos are fantastic, all the more in B&W I’d say. I also am drawn to the underside of piers. I think the pier is very impressive as a whole!
Thanks Gill….I was really pleased with the final results. It is one long pier that is for sure!! Thanks for the feedback and for stopping by!! Have a great week!!
Wow, what an amazing structure! I love you photos in black and white – they really do the subject justice. 🙂
Thanks Diane…..I think it highlights the details of the piers architecture! I had forgotten how long it was. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Have a great week!!
Black and white photography captivates the heart and art of simplicity. Thanks for the share.❤️
Thanks for stopping by and for the feedback….much appreciated!! Have a great day!!
‘The Support of the Pier’ is my top pick but I’m very fond of 5 and 6 as well. all beautifully captured and thank you for the information on the pier as well. Fascinating place.
Thanks Sue, I’m happy with the results and enjoyed the photoshoot!! I had no idea it was the longest pier on the US western coast. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by and comment. Hope all is well!