VOLUME 0 1 / 202 1 / M A DE I N C A
CO N TEN TS
/ 004 INTRO / 006 SQUAD / 008 LAGUNA BEACH / 020 SANTA YNEZ / 036 PISMO BEACH / 044 BIG SUR / 060 YOSEMITE
TOUR DE CALIFORNIA California is one of the most geographically diverse states and we set out on a mission to show two unique perspectives of California’s natural and dynamic beauty. This trip illustrates the thought process of each photographer and demonstrates how their own artistic view leads to their distinct and renowned style.
PHOTO // SETH WILLINGHAM // PISMO BEACH
GA RRE T T KING
SET H W ILLINGHA M Seth is a California based fine art photographer and
Garrett is a lifestyle photographer with a knack for
videographer known for his unique and fresh aerial
storytelling. His unique perspective in the creative
imagery. Growing up in Hawaii he has developed a
industry is evident through his color aesthetic and
profound respect for nature and the ocean which is
derivative in his style. Storytelling is a key element
the main focus of his visual aesthetic. Seth strives to
he emphasizes through both his personal and
show amazing destinations from new and captivating
professional work.
views from the sky. //GARRETT KING //SETH WILLINGHAM
@shortstache @waterproject
SW
GK
DAY 0 1 L AG U NA BEACH PHOTO // SETH WILLINGHAM
POPULATION // 22,749
The artist colony of Laguna Beach is one of Orange County’s hidden gems. The city’s topography is unique to other California coastal cities with its seven miles of coves and beaches where visitors can explore sea caves, tide pools, ocean side bluffs, natural tide pools and of course, sandy beaches.
33.5427° N, 117.7854° W
SETH WILLINGHAM // LAGUNA BEACH
GARRET T KING // LAGUNA BEACH
“READING THE OCEAN IS ALWAYS VERY HUMBLING AND IT’S TAUGHT ME JUST THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS SUCH A FORCE OF NATURE.” – GARRETT
MONDAY_0946 HOURS We were pumped to start close to home in Laguna Beach, we got the Jeep packed up and rolled up 1,000 Step Beach. The name of the game is trying to position yourself in that right moment to shoot it, be safe, and to catch a wave. – GARRETT KING
PHOTO // GARRETT KING
DAY 0 2 S ANTA Y NEZ PHOTO // SETH WILLINGHAM
POPULATION // 4,401
In the vintage township of Santa Ynez, it’s sometimes hard to tell if it’s 2014 or 1884 with its periodstyle false-front building facades housing shops, saloons, feed stores and random horses hitched to posts. However, this rather sophisticated cowboy town also boasts plenty of conveniences for modern-day explorers.
34.6144° N, 120.0799° W
S E T H W I L L I N G HA M / / S A N TA Y N E Z
G A R R E T T K I N G / / S A N TA Y N E Z
S E T H W I L L I N G HA M / / S A N TA Y N E Z
G A R R E T T K I N G / / S A N TA Y N E Z
TUESDAY_1720 HOURS It’s interesting to see those two different dynamics come into play and I think that’s what this trip is all about. It’s up to the creator to really pick and choose what scene you want to pull out of an intimate moment. – GARRETT KING
“THIS TRIP IS ALL ABOUT HOW SETH AND I CAPTURE THESE LOCATIONS IN OUR OWN PERSPECTIVES AND HOW WE ALIGN ON THE SAME VISION.” – GARRETT
TUESDAY_1520 HOURS When I was looking at this schedule, this was the one day and location where I was worried about what I was going to capture, because this place is so new to me. But overall it was just amazing the way the day ended, it just kept accelerating into pure beauty. I know Garrett was in the mix, up tight with the animals and landscapes, so I wanted to pull back and get that bigger picture of what he was doing, where we were, and just how isolated we were to have those animals around us enjoying sunset. It ended up complimenting really well because you get that yin and yang of the landscape. It’s really cool to see two starkly different visions of the same place. – SETH WILLINGHAM
“GARRETT WAS IN THE MIX CAPTURING THOSE TIGHT DETAILS AND I JUST WANTED TO PULL BACK AND GET THAT BIGGER PICTURE AND SHOW HOW MAJESTIC EVERYTHING WAS.” – SETH
DAY 0 3 PI SM O BEACH PHOTO // SETH WILLINGHAM
POPULATION // 8,301
Pismo Beach, a classic beach town, is located on California’s famous central coast, halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles along Pacific Coast and 101 Highways. From surfing to off roading– Pismo Beach offers an array of outdoor activities destined to satisfy any adventure aficionado.
35.1428° N, 120.6413° W
“THOSE ARE THE MOMENTS IN BETWEEN THAT CONNECT, FUEL, AND KEEP YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE.” – SETH
WEDNESDAY_0842 HOURS The downside of the photography game is the best light is generally late at night and early in the morning. So we got up at the crack of dawn, packed up the car and headed towards Pismo and it was so worth it. You’re 20 - 30 feet away from the waves breaking and you get to drive the car in there and just rip it. We were able to start a fire, warm up a little bit, crack a beer, find that equilibrium of shooting, having fun, and then relaxing. Those are the moments in between that connect, fuel, and keep you coming back for more. – SETH WILLINGHAM
– GERRETT KING
have to be photographed. It doesn’t always have to translate. It’s about having that moment for yourself.
It’s important to not to get overwhelmed, but to actually take the scene in and enjoy it for what it is. It doesn’t always
WEDNESDAY_0931 HOURS
DAY 0 4 BIG SU R PHOTO // SETH WILLINGHAM
POPULATION // 5,037
Big Sur is a rugged stretch of California’s central coast between Carmel and San Simeon. Bordered to the east by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the west by the Pacific Ocean, it’s traversed by narrow, 2-lane State Route 1, known for winding turns, seaside cliffs and views of the often-misty coastline.
36.2704° N, 121.8081° W
SETH WILLINGHAM // BIG SUR
GARRETT KING // BIG SUR
WEDNESDAY_1732 HOURS We knew that at some point we had to gun it up the coast to get to Pfeiffer beach in time for sunset. So we all put the pedal to the metal and perfectly timed it for the last half hour of that golden light and nice swell coming in. Being able to pick apart those moments and shoot it in such a way that it looks like you’re the only one there is part of being creative and encompassing the journey. When you’re coming to a spot that’s generally popular it’s hard to navigate what exactly your vision is going to be because some people shoot the exact same shot, frame, or focal length. And I feel like for me as a creator, it’s important to diversify, and see what those angles are and play with light. – GARRETT KING
“THE TWO THINGS THAT WOULD SUM UP MY CREATIVE CAREER WOULD BE PIVOT AND ADAPT. NOT EVERYTHING CAN BE PERFECT. SO I THINK IT REALLY JUST PUSHED ME TO BECOME MUCH MORE OF A DYNAMIC CREATOR.” – GARRETT
“TAKING CURVE BALLS THAT ARE THROWN AT YOU AND DOING WHAT YOU CAN IS WHAT THESE TRIPS ARE ALL ABOUT.” – SETH
– SETH WILLINGHAM
and to just soak in the moments of being on a road trip.
a little suspension bridge that we were able to ride across. It was fun to be out there, to be relaxed,
with massive redwoods. We were able to take the Super73’s and just kind of rip around. We even had
thing. When we all went to bed, it was completely dark and then we woke up to this giant property
Last night we got to this modern cabin in the woods but once we got there, we couldn’t see any-
THURSDAY_0814 HOURS
THURSDAY_1612 HOURS This was the point of the trip where we had car troubles and we got stuck in heavy traffic adding five extra hours to our travel time to Yosemite. The thing with road trips and shooting is that you have to be adaptable. You have to be able to do different things. At around four o’clock we pulled over to this lake reservoir, a place that wasn’t even remotely on my radar, but it was a cool spot to be for sunset and it was a spot that offered up some opportunities to have Garrett on the bike riding off in the distance. And it just looked real bad-ass, like an apocalyptic wasteland with this lone guy out there riding. – SETH WILLINGHAM
DAY 0 5 YO SEM I TE PHOTO // SETH WILLINGHAM
POPULATION // 1300
Yosemite National Park is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains and is famed for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome.
37.8651° N, 119.5383° W
SETH WILLINGHAM // YOSEMITE
GARRET T KING // YOSEMITE
“IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE WITH PEOPLE WHO PUSH YOU AND MAKE YOU BETTER, AND ALSO WHO ARE JUST SO DIFFERENT.” – GARRETT
“IT GOES TO SHOW THAT IF YOU PUT IN THE WORK TO SCOUT AND TREK YOU’RE ABLE TO TUCK AWAY AND GET SOME BEAUTIFUL STUFF AND CATCH IT ALL TO YOURSELF.” – SETH
FRIDAY_1753 HOURS After finally making it to Yosemite we headed out to scout to see where we could explore, because snow changes things and closes things. When we got to Tunnel View the place was packed for sunset. And I think that it was up to us to also understand that and utilize working around people. The parking spot we had actually lined up with a staircase hike and offered a different view to Tunnel View that was much higher with zero crowds. No people. No distractions. And it was actually perfect because it seemed much more personal to all of us. The light ended up going off in the valley with an orange and red glow, so it was super special to see El Capitan light up like that. That last little hour was full of joy and I wouldn’t trade it! It’s important to be with people who push you and make you better, and also who are just so different. You don’t always have to run around with the same crowd where you all like the same stuff or see the same vision. That doesn’t challenge you, that doesn’t push you. So it’s cool we have such different perspectives to really appreciate each other’s work. The best part is having these unique visions come together in the end. – GARRETT KING PHOTO // GARRETT KING
//BUILT TO GO F URTHER
PHOTO // SETH WILLINGHAM