Manhattan Beach is magical but you need to follow the beauty. Work with your DPA Instructor, who knows this place and relevant craft so no stone will be unturned.

Look up, down, forward and backward. Maybe your sweet spot will be underneath the pier. Maybe anchor the subject with a structure poking up through the surface of the water to create a visual interplay between it and the main subject.

How about a surfer who allows himself or herself to star in your environmental portrait? There is a special art to approaching strangers and requesting them to allow their photo to be taken. There are tried and true ways to make this happen, and there also funny experiences which are the outcome of rejection!!

At sunset, the sweet light comes out and your DPA instructor will help you with composition and camera controls to take advantage of the conditions. Weather is the boss though so if one approach fails, don’t give up because, likely, there is another tactic and again, your DPA instructor has strategies.

If you have a tripod that would be helpful but there are other ways to stabilize your camera for longer exposures as advised by your DPA instructor.

Meet at the entrance to the Manhattan Beach Pier right in front of the Lifeguard tower visible from the Bike Path.

To GPS a route, there is a parking lot at 100 Manhattan Beach Blvd, and the meeting spot is just across the street from there.