Emerald IsleSand dunes at Emerald Isle on a cloudy morning.

Recently, my wife and I went on vacation (my first in a while).  We spent about 3 days in Emerald Isle, North Carolina,  part of the Crystal Coast and as I learned while I was there, also part of the "Southern Outer Banks".  My wife knew about this because she used to live near here when she was younger. 

 It's a beautiful area, and the beach is somewhat unique in these parts because it faces south, so the sun goes from one end of the beach to the other over the course of the day.

Of course, I don't go anywhere without my camera and I took a lot of pictures.  It's a great opportunity to put some of the techniques I have been learning into good use.  On a trip like this, I always learn new stuff about what works and what doesn't...what to do and what not to do...this trip was no exception.

The shot to the right was taken early one morning when it looked like it could rain at any time (it really didn't).  It's 3 exposures blended using Photoshop and Jimmy McIntyre's Easy Panel.  It allowed me to bring out the color in the dunes and beach houses behind them.  I had been using an ND filter earlier, but I took it off for this shot.  

Sunny morning on Emerald Isle. ND filter and 3 shots. The second shot was taken another morning when the sun was out.  Here, I still took three shots and used the Photoshop and Easy Panel, but I also took this shot with the ND filter.  It allowed me to bring get a better shot, even though I was looking directly at the sun.

I can't wait to go back to the beach, I've always loved the water and it's even better when you have someone as awesome as my wife, Sharon, to share it with!

Byan