This museum grade fine art photograph is available in a fine art limited edition of 200, signed and numbered with a signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance.
Starship - Bioluminescence and the Milky Way at the Wreck of the Peter Iredale on the Oregon Coast
Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon Coast, Oregon
The Milky Way and Airglow over the Wreck of the Peter Iredale and Bioluminescence in the Pacific Ocean along the Oregon Coast at Fort Stevens State Park, Oregon
The Milky Way rises high into the night sky above the Wreck of the Peter Iredale at low tide on the Oregon Coast as green airglow illuminates the night sky. Bioluminescence glows in the waters of Pacific Ocean in the distance behind the shipwreck, as the wonders of night come alive along the North Oregon Coast in early October.
Wreck of the Peter Iredale, Bioluminescence and the Milky Way in early October
I’ve always loved the Oregon Coast, and I’ve been fortunate enough to live 90 minutes from the North Oregon Coast my entire life. This spot is a favorite of anyone who is local to Oregon. Like most of the Oregon Coast, the tides move in and out at a pretty high clip here. Come at high tide and the shipwreck is surrounded by water. Come at low tide and it looks like the beached shipwreck that it is. Perhaps my favorite thing about the Oregon Coast is closing my eyes and listening to the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash against the beach as the wind gently blows through my hair. For as long as I can remember, I’ve come to this spot.
This particular night was amazing. It was early October and bioluminescence still hung on in the Pacific Ocean. The weather hadn't yet gotten cold enough to bring the bioluminescence season to an end, and the result was a gorgeous Milky Way rising above the shipwreck and bioluminescence in the Pacific Ocean as vivid green airglow illuminated the night sky. It's been a long while since I took this photo, but I'm never forget how serene this night was. I enjoyed listening to the waves roll ashore as I marveled at this shipwreck beneath a blanket of stars.
What is Bioluminescence?
Bioluminescence is caused by dinoflagellates, microscopic marine organisms (which are mostly marine plankton) that emit light when physically disturbed by wave action, producing the stunning blue glow visible here. Your eyes won't physically see the deep blue glow of bioluminescence in photographs unless it's near total darkness, you've given your eyes time to adjust, and it's an exceptionally intense display. This is because our rods are how we see at night, and they don't perceive color well (essentially leaving us color blind in the dark). Bioluminescence often appears as white caps on and in the waves to the naked eye, but it's still very noticeable and amazing to see. The longer you let your eyes adjust, and the more experience you have with spotting bioluminescence, the more soft hints of hues and color you will be able to recognize. Bioluminescence often occurs following plankton blooms.
As mentioned, our eyes cannot see color well in the darkness due to the biological constraints of our eyes. Our cones are activated by color, and as such they cannot see in the dark. Our rods see in the dark but cannot see color. Camera sensors do not have this problem, they are able to see the color that is truly there as long as you exposure the image for long enough. As a result, cameras are able to capture the vivid displays of bioluminescence and color our eyes cannot see, as they are not limited by the same biological constraints as our eyes in the dark. Interestingly enough our eyes see better than cameras in the daytime, with the human eye possessing approximately 20-21 stops of dynamic range compared to 14.5-15 stops for most camera sensors, with only the best professional sensors reaching 16 stops. However, camera sensors can 'see in the dark' by collecting accumulated light over long exposures when our eyes cannot.
Technical Specifications
- Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
- Lens: Canon EF 16-35 f/2.8 L II USM
- Settings: 16mm | f/2.8 | 36 Seconds | ISO 6400
- Process: Single Exposure | Low Level Lighting (LLL) in Foreground | In-Camera Long Exposure (The Mead Method) | Bespoke Multi-Layer Noise Management (Manual Masking to preserve astronomical and foreground detail)
Historical Note
This photograph was captured in 2015, prior to the current 10:00 PM parking closures at Fort Stevens State Park. It serves as a rare document of the Clatsop Spit at night, a perspective that is increasingly restricted due to modern park management and conservation regulations.
Note on Provenance
This image is a certified Single Exposure. Captured using the "Mead Method" developed over 15 years of nightscape experience. No trackers, no sky-swaps, and no generative AI. Just a single moment in time, preserved.
Technical Note
Achieving a balance between the neon-blue of the bioluminescent waves and the deep rusted tones of the Peter Iredale required precise LLL (Low Level Lighting) execution. By utilizing a single-exposure workflow, I’ve ensured the temporal relationship between the moving tide and the stationary Milky Way remains 100% authentic to the moment.
Photo © copyright by James Mead.
Chromaluxe® Metal Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
Vibrant. Modern. Impactful.
My Chromaluxe® Metal Fine Art Prints offer a sleek, modern presentation that’s both bold and beautiful. Using a high-heat dye sublimation process, each image is infused directly into a specially coated aluminum panel resulting in vibrant colors, ultra-sharp detail, and a striking glossy finish. The dye sublimation process infuses the image directly into the metal, creating a scratch resistant surface while helping provide permanent protection.
These prints feature:
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• Float mount backing for a frameless, floating display. Ready to hang out of the box
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
These metal prints are ideal for collectors seeking a contemporary look with museum-quality output. Resistant to scratch, moisture and UV fading, they work beautifully in both home and office settings.
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Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
Museum-Grade Brilliance. Gallery-Worthy Depth.
Bring home the brilliance of nature with the industry’s finest print medium. My Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints are crafted using a state-of-the-art process that infuses archival pigments into a transparency layer, backed by a clear acrylic backer and mounted under crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic. This creates a luminous, almost 3D effect. Colors appear to glow from within.
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• 1/8" clear acrylic backer mounted using an archival adhesive layer
• 1.25” Roma wooden rear float mount frame inset 2” from the edge for a clean, frameless display that is ready to hang
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether you're designing a luxury interior or curating a personal gallery, these prints are built to impress and designed to last a lifetime.
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Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Museum-Quality Ready to Hang
Timeless elegance. Unrivaled depth. A true centerpiece.
My Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints represent the pinnacle of archival display. These statement pieces combine the award-winning brilliance of Lumachrome HD with the craftsmanship of custom Roma wood mouldings, transforming your chosen image into an heirloom-worthy work of art.
Each piece is handcrafted by master printmakers and framers in the USA using museum-grade materials. The print itself is infused with archival pigments into a transparency layer, mounted to an archival acrylic backer and face-mounted and sealed under a 1/8" layer of crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic: a premium optically-coated surface that eliminates reflections and enhances depth, vibrance, and clarity.
Surrounding this luminous presentation is your choice of genuine Roma Moulding, hand-built with a choice of 3.5" or 4" Italian made wooden Roma frame with a 3" black linen liner for a refined, framed, museum grade appearance. This adds approximately 13 to 14 inches to both the height and width of the final piece. This level of finish is rarely seen outside of luxury interiors and gallery exhibitions.
After placing your order, I’ll reach out personally to confirm your ideal frame and liner pairing from my curated Roma collection. If you’d prefer to finalize your framing choice in advance, feel free to reach out any time for a custom recommendation.
These museum grade works of art feature:
• Gallery-grade presentation with luminous depth and 3D effect
• TruLife® acrylic: anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and blocks 99% of UV
• Archival quality construction with pH-neutral adhesive and backer
• Available in your choice of 3.5" or 4" Roma wood mouldings with a black linen liner for a framed, museum-grade appearance
• Museum-grade 3" black linen liner for added depth and visual separation
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 4-5 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether displayed in a luxury residence, corporate lobby, or fine art collection, these framed prints command attention and offer a sense of permanence few art mediums can match.
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These are investment-grade art pieces designed to last generations. If you have any questions, need any mock-ups or if you need anything else before purchase, please reach out and I will be in contact shortly.