Ruby Beach Sea Stacks
Ruby Beach delivers one of the most dramatic coastal compositions on the Pacific Northwest coast, where massive sea stacks rise from the surf surrounded by driftwood-strewn sand and tide pools. You can work the scene from multiple angles: use the stacks as bold subjects against stormy skies, position large driftwood logs in the foreground to add depth, or wade into the shallow surf to capture long-exposure waves swirling around the rocky formations. The beach faces west, making sunset the prime shooting window, when warm light catches the textured surfaces of the stacks and turns the mist golden. Overcast days are equally rewarding, as soft diffused light brings out the moody greens and grays of the Pacific. A wide-angle lens in the 16-24mm range works best here. The trailhead off Highway 101 is short and easy, but wear waterproof shoes as wet sand and incoming waves are unavoidable. (Olympic Peninsula, Washington, United States)
