I am always on the outlook for images that are not easily repeatable, and which the regular Instagramer, tourist or amateur photographer is unlikely to take.
Textures and patterns are hard to repeat, and are available nearly anywhere you go, even in the most boring places, if you know how to look for them.
On a previous post I mentioned that one of my favorite places for photography is the Marin Headlands area in Sausalito, California. On that post, I called attention to the industrial textures and patterns of that place. Today, I want to talk about the natural abstracts one can find there.
If you are far away from the Headlands, any beach on the West Coast will have similar elements to photograph: rocks, sand, tide pool creatures, and water.
Location and parking
Refer to my previous post for details about the location and parking.
Natural Textures- Geological
The Headlands are composed of quite compelling heterogeneous rocks known as the Franciscan Complex or Franciscan Assemblage. This type of rock is present throughout the California Coast Ranges, particularly on the San Francisco Peninsula. There is a lot of detail in these rocks, and they often have colors that add interesting patterns to their already complicated texture.
Natural Textures and Patterns- the beach
An unpretentious walk on the beach might reveal a plethora of natural textures. The sand, for example, when photographed with a macro lens, is far more interesting than when looked at with the naked eye.
Mussels on a rock also yield a complex texture.
The ocean itself, particularly when long exposure is used, or Intentional Camera Movement, will also yield interesting patterns and textures.
Why photograph textures and patterns?
As mentioned on my previous post, finding and properly photographing an appealing, stand-alone texture or pattern that will look good when printed and hung on the wall of a gallery is difficult, but the more you look, the more you will find. Some patterns and textures are very abstract. This gender of photograph is relatively unexplored, and each photo is difficult to repeat. This means that those who become good at it might have a reasonable chance to stand out in the crowd.
Although I do not consider myself an expert in texture photography as stand-alone piece of art, I sometimes use those photographs to add texture to other images. For example, in my series Monterey Trees, I have added the same texture to all my photos, to make them look older. Also, the images on my my Digital Images have a stone texture applied to them.
If you are not familiar with adding texture to your photos, and would like to learn more about it, watch How to Apply Textures In Photoshop 2020, by fellow photographer Howard Grill.
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Wall Art landscapes and miscellaneous
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It is all about the light 
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