The Journal

Stories, tips & guides from the coast

Photography from Santa Cruz — and how it's made.

The Best Sunset Spots in Santa Cruz (From Someone Who Shoots Them)

Seven of the best places to watch and photograph the sunset in Santa Cruz, California — plus the timing, parking, and light notes I've learned shooting them for years.

A sharp, crisp coastal photograph at golden hour

Why Are My Photos Blurry? The 3 Real Causes (and the Fix for Each)

Almost every blurry photo comes down to one of three causes: camera shake, subject motion, or missed focus. Here's how to tell them apart and fix each one for good.

Warm golden-hour light over the Santa Cruz coast

The Best Camera Settings for Golden Hour (a Simple Starting Point)

A no-nonsense starting point for golden hour: the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, white balance, and metering choices that get you a keeper, plus how to adjust as the light drops.