Location: Near Newport, Oregon

Camera: Nikon D7500 | Lens: Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

During our latest hiking adventure to the Oregon coast, just north of Newport, we stumbled upon this beautifully moody seascape. Thick storm clouds rolled across the sky, but just enough light broke through to cast a metallic shimmer across the Pacific. The scene felt like something out of a storybook wild, peaceful, and totally humbling.

This shot was taken with my Nikon D7500 paired with the 55-300mm lens. I used a focal length of 55mm (equivalent to 82mm on full frame), with settings at f/11, 1/500s, and ISO 100. I wanted to keep the details crisp, from the texture of the waves to the flock of seabirds perched on the sea stack in the foreground. The fast shutter helped freeze the motion of the waves without losing the dramatic lighting across the water.

There’s something special about winter coastal hikes quiet trails, dramatic skies, and a raw kind of beauty that hits different. This moment reminded me why I always bring my camera along: even in a familiar place, there’s always something worth capturing.