Sunrise & Sunsets
July 22, 2024|American Landscape and Parks
Landscape photography gets a dramatic boost with the colors of a sunrise or sunset. This edition is devoted to the landscapes at the beginning and end of the day. The feature image was taken more than 40 years ago during an evening drive in North Central Texas. I don’t recall much about the surroundings other than I was alone and the landscape was as peaceful as this image represents.
In addition to the familiar orange and red hue of late day images, the absence of light in the foreground tend to simplify the image. The photograph below was taken just before sunset on Mobile Bay near Fair Hope, Alabama. The streaming glow of the sunset across the water is a catchy element. The shot has special meaning to my wife and I. It was shot after a heavy rainstorm which cleared just before the outdoor wedding of our niece. The ambiance of the scene was a beautiful accent to a joyful occasion!
The next image of Lake Superior was taken by our friend and neighbor John Dethloff while he was traveling through Wisconsin. The sunset is beautiful. The colors are inviting. Of course, John’s dog Tilly really provides the personality for the shot. As an aside, our next blog will feature people in landscape photography. The addition of people or creatures adds interest and context to a landscape image.
The sunset below was taken during a recent photoshoot at the Pacific Ocean in Brookings, Oregon. As a photographer, I was attracted by the color of the sky and the low hanging cloud bank. I later discovered the gull atop of the rocky mount. I named the images considering the bird, then on later reflection realized that it could take on a larger spiritual meaning–The World Belongs to Him.
The World Belongs to Him
A boat safely moored at shore evokes a very peaceful image, especially to those of us who are boaters and sailors. A beautiful sky at sunset just adds to the drama. The image was taken at Port Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston, Texas.
Port Bolivar Peninsula
One of my most favorite locations in North America is Alberta, Canada. The image below was taken at Jasper, just after sunset with the warm glow of the sun still illuminating the peaks.
Jasper, Alberta, Canada
The Italian Rivera is a spectacular place. The image below was taken at the beaches of the Cinque Terre. A young boy finding amusement at the beach adds interest to the image.
Cinque Terre, Italy
The image below is Carmel Bay in California. Beautiful sunset colors but in this image, young lovers steal the show.
Carmel Bay, California
The scene below was taken during the summer in Crested Butte, Colorado. Low clouds were just thin enough to pass along some dramatic filtered light. Scenes like this are common in the mountains. The weather system in the mountains is more active than in the flatlands. Fast moving clouds and frequent afternoon showers make for very interesting patterns in the clouds, skies and sunsets!
Sunrise
The evolution of photography from film to digital has provided photographers with enhanced ability to capture more subtle colors in low light. Prior to the digital age, the use of these soft color pallets were usually reserved for an artist canvass. Over the last ten years my photographic interest has drawn me to capture images in soft light. Light in the early morning or evening adds to the warmth and mood of a shot. The image below was taken just prior to sunrise at Crater Lake, Oregon.
Crater Lake, Oregon
The next image was captured in the pre-dawn period at Grand Teton, Wyoming. The view was peaceful and still. Not shown behind the scene are the more than 100 fellow photographers who also got up at 4:00 AM to get this shot!
The Saguaro National Park has a rustic beauty all its own. The image below captures this mood in the early morning.
Sunrise on the Spanish Mediterranean Coast
Another early morning image captured just as the sun began to shine on the upper peak of Whetstone Mountain in Colorado. Fall colors were on full display here in the Crested Butte Colorado valley.
Final Thoughts
Both early morning or late evening offer spectacular photographic possibilities. The image below features an evening view of Mount Avery near Crested Butte, Colorado. The evening setting provided the soft color pallet perfect for a mountain wildflower shot.
View of Mount Avery, Crested Butte Colorado
Camera Preparation for Sunset Photography
Join us for our next blog featuring Black and White Photography Please visit the website for additional photography. https://.photobykercho.com Share this with others using Facebook or Email below: