The Story Behind the Photo: Chasing the Moonrise over Capitola, CA

What a lovely unexpected sight this was to find.  I have been known to blog about my sunset-chasing photography tales, but I guess sunsets aren’t the only things that I chase. As with anything, there is always a story behind the story.

On my way home from work last month, I thought I’d stop by Rio Del Mar Beach in Aptos at sunset.  I am a self-proclaimed obsessed sunset-chaser and I was hoping to get a few good shots. However, when I arrived, I quickly found that my camera battery was dead, and my spare was at home. Argh! I plugged the battery charger in to make sure it was ready for next time and headed home. I ran a few errands on the way and found myself in Capitola Village as the moon was rising. What a sight! But, could I actually get it on camera? I wasn’t prepared at all, and didn’t even have a tripod. At least I had plugged in the charger for my camera battery.

I drove up the hill over the Capitola Wharf, and the view was incredible. I strapped my camera to the fence post, found my remote and began taking photos. The view in front of me was amazing.  I was astounded.  I was dumbfounded. However, I was about to be grounded.

A car pulled in when I was almost done shooting. The driver left her headlights on, so I couldn’t take any more photos while she was there.  She got out of her car and took some photos with her phone. I felt an instant camaraderie as we were both sharing such an amazing view. How could anyone resist this incredible sight? I had that knowing thought in my head that we were sharing a view only a few will ever see. I took it for granted that we had a common goal.  I was puzzled, though; why did she leave her headlights on while she was taking photos?

We both headed back to our cars and I gave a knowing nod and a hand motion toward the view.  I commented on how beautiful it was. She looked where I pointed, and then paused with a laugh. She pointed in front of her, explaining she was actually just taking a photo of the warning sign there on the fence of the parking lot. I looked to where she was pointing, and sure enough her headlights were shining directly on the sign that said “Dangerous, Sheer Cliff Stay Behind Fence”. Now I knew why she left her lights on.

Of course I was puzzled. Road sign? But…the view?  

Then she told me her story. She was texting photos of very random Santa Cruz sights to a friend who was staying out of town and very much missing it here. They had been having a fantastically fun time that night as she drove around taking photos and sharing the most random things she could find. We both laughed, and that sense of camaraderie was now set in stone.

My lesson…never assume. We all know what that does. People don’t always see things from the same perspective, but that doesn’t make anyone’s goal less important.