On New Year’s Day, I ventured out to Crystal Cove in Newport Beach, CA, hoping to capture the iconic arch rock at sunset. Fate had other plans, and I couldn’t reach it in time. Instead, I stumbled upon a stunning scene that would become the photograph “Low Tide Reveal.” As I walked along the tide pools, a large rock formation caught my eye. I set up my tripod low to the ground, framing the reflective water in the foreground and waiting for just the right moment.

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the sky transformed into a breathtaking blend of gold and blues, casting a dramatic glow over the scene. Little did I know that this photograph would become an optical illusion—the sky’s reflection in the pool of water mimicking a grand arch. It was a reminder of how nature’s beauty can surprise us with unexpected creativity.