I was there too
Santa Monica Pier stretches out into the sea, but halfway out is a funfair including a roller coaster and ferris wheel, of all things. On a sunny day it’s a sight to behold. The place is thronged with people too!
| Aperture | ƒ/9 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 400 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
When I walked past this little dog and snapped a photo of him with my phone, I didn’t realise I was photographing a celebrity dog.
Thanks to Google Images, I found out the dog is Ali the Rasta Dog on Instagram. I’m not a fan of dressing dogs up in clothes, unless it’s cold out, but it’s obvious Donald, his owner, loves Ali and takes great care of him.
Some links about Donald and Ali:
His new little furry friend has made all the difference, he says. He calls him Ali the “Rasta pup.” Donald says his newfound faith in God has also helped relieve his anger and he says he now has a reason to live, and a friend to share that life with.
Steve Breen
| Aperture | ƒ/1.7 |
| Camera | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
| Focal length | 6.3mm |
| ISO | 40 |
| Shutter speed | 1/1500s |
Wheels is a mural made by artist, Anne Marie Karlsen from ceramic on 2nd Street in downtown Santa Monica, but I didn’t know that when I saw it. The vibrant colours and design caught my eye, framed by the trees and a parked van. More about it from here:
Anne Marie Karlsen created Wheels, an ambitious and vibrant ceramic tile mural that adorns the west-facing wall of Parking Structure 8 on 2nd Street in downtown Santa Monica. The artwork reveals different compositions depending on one’s vantage point and the wheel motif is loosely inspired by the structure of the recently retired Pacific Wheel on the Santa Monica Pier. Upon closer examination, viewers will discover that the abstracted shapes in the circular forms are in fact, photographic images the artist took of the Pacific Wheel in motion. The composition is meant to create the sort of whirling, topsy-turvy effect that one experiences on an amusement ride. The artwork acknowledges a part of Santa Monica history, while simultaneously becoming a bold new design for the future.
| Aperture | ƒ/8 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
A wooden fence lies forgotten in the sands of the beach in Santa Monica. Lifeguard Tower 15 stands in the background of this photo, just beyond all the food carts.
| Aperture | ƒ/9 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 200 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Santa Monica Pier is hard to miss, but if you didn’t know where Muscle Beach or North Beach were, here’s a sign to help you.
| Aperture | ƒ/9 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 27mm |
| ISO | 320 |
| Shutter speed | 1/500s |
Some people love the roller coaster and raise their arms for that extra thrill, while others hold on with grim determination, hoping the ride will end soon. For others still, it’s just another ride on a vehicle they’re well-used to, their jaded expressions contrasting with the joy and terror of other riders.
| Aperture | ƒ/7.1 |
| Camera | ILCE-7M3 |
| Focal length | 24mm |
| ISO | 100 |
| Shutter speed | 1/640s |
