A View of "Steinbeck Country" - Salinas, California - Smartphone Photography


I have to be honest, many of the landscape shots I take with my smartphone aren't particularly dazzling. This picture exceeded my expectations. This is the view from one of the trails at Fort Ord National Monument looking out over the Salinas Valley known as "Steinbeck Country" and also the "The Salad Bowl of the World".


Off in the distance you can see the Gabilan Mountain Range which John Steinbeck mentioned in several of his novels including Of Mice and Men, East of Eden and The Red Pony. The silver ribbon is the Salinas River that is making its way out to the Monterey Bay. On each side of the river, you see agricultural fields that go on for miles and miles in every direction growing everything from strawberries to artichokes and, of course, all kinds of lettuce. I got out to hike right after the rain so I the decorator clouds were an added bonus.

FO - Salinas River.jpg


"I hate cameras. They are so much more sure than I am about everything." - Steinbeck

I wonder what he would have to say about smartphones? 😏


For more from Fort Ord / Steinbeck Country, check out my other posts:
Monochrome Monday - Enjoying the Contrast
Walking with Steinbeck
ColorChallenge - FridayBlue - Fridays with Friedrich

This post is also my submission for the #smartphonephotography contest sponsored by @photocontests and initiated by @juliank.

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Amazing view of salinas.I went there many times. There I stayed at the river. Wind blowing around.

Thank you! Ah yes, the wind in the valley can be quite strong. :)

Can I get a upvote?plz

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Nice vista. Love the valley and river below effect. It is beautiful country there. I don't have a smartphone, just a tracphone. :) you can imagine what those pics would look like. Enjoying your other photos as well. Thanks for the links.

Yeah, it's a great spot. I resisted getting a smartphone for a very long time but it has been very therapeutic for me. I approach photography in a very different way. On one hand, I have become a lazy photographer as far as technical knowledge goes but on the other hand, I have become much more observant and intuitive. It has been a good trade-off for me.

Thanks for checking the other links. I always wonder if anyone looks at them. :)

I am trying to get around to everyone that upvotes or resteems or even interacts with me. It has been an educational experience. :) Every photo I see, helps me to consider more of what's in my composition as well. Certainly does make you look around to see what we have been missing. :) I have been loving the recipes and home remedies that @homesteading provides as well. I am a homesteader first and fore most. :)

Homesteading has always intrigued me. I really respect people who can commit to that way of living. It seems simple and complicated all at the same time...I am speaking from a virtually uneducated point of view on this, mind you.

it can be a lot of work for sure. Nice to be your own boss though and work at your own pace.

Really great shot, Samantha. The colors are subtle but blend to create a really crisp and open feeling.

Thanks! It seems I can never get enough of this view for reasons that are both simple and complicated. Life is so interesting, isn't it?

Ever-changing:):):)

Loved the quote. I thought the photo was a beautiful painting at first glance. Nice darlin!

Steinbeck had a way of of getting straight to the point didn't he? :)

I kind of felt like I was in a beautiful painting on that hike. The clouds really made it for me.

Thanks for your kind words!

It was a good shot and edit. Well done!

Thanks again!

Lol great view, you dont hate cameras you love them lol have fun

Great view, indeed and you're right, I don't hate cameras...quite the contrary. I do identify with the second half of Steinbeck's quote. I seem to have so many questions after I take pictures whether it be about the subject itself or why was I drawn to take the shot in the first place...I could go on and on. All of those questions are why I LOVE CAMERAS and why I am having so much fun! :D

Thanks for your comment!