In The Beginning

One of the most common subjects for nature photographers is the sunrise/sunset.  Those magic moments when shape and color come together.  I would guess that most photographers spend more time with the sunset than the sunrise.  For me it is just the opposite.  I am an early riser to begin with and I simply love starting my day in anticipation of the rising sun.  I then know that I have a day of photography yet to come.  I love those moments where the light just starts its journey and there are great things yet to come. Good things come to those who wait.

“Let there be light”

Balanced Rock-Arches N.P. Utah.  I arrived on the scene long before any light appeared in the eastern sky.  I pointed my hand-held 1% reflected light meter just to the right of the brightest point in the sky.  This image was made in 1992 with my Pentax 6×7 camera and my beloved Velvia 50 film.  A wonderful way to start the day.

Prairie Sunrise.  I was on my way to teach a photo workshop at Horicon Marsh NWR and the clouds in the east began to show signs of a crimson coat.  I knew that I really should keep going but who can resist something like this.  I gave most of the visual importance to that beautiful sky.  This was a prairie and that is the traditional method of showing a spacious view of this habitat.  I used a foreground row of trees as to give me some shape to silhouette.  No day that follows this can be bad.

I live in Wisconsin just a stone’s throw from Lake Michigan.  That means my eastern view on most mornings will display the rising sun over Lake Michigan.  I have worked most of the 300 mile coast of this “great lake” and the variety of images you can create is infinite.  All three of the photos below were made using a lake view of one sort or another.

Photographing sunrises (or sunsets) is surely not just about pointing your camera towards the sun.  Not only do I frequently not include the actual sun in my image, but quite often you will find that my camera is not even pointed towards the sky.   The morning sky or just the morning light can make a powerful image.  Your picture still has to be composed but you are often reduced to only color or color and shape.  The top of our three photos is a Lake Michigan tidal pool.  Our middle shot is the actual tide and the third is a Blue-winged Teal.

Our next image is just to prove that I can remain conscience for the final light of the day too.  This sunset was made near Horicon Marsh NWR

Those of you who know me or have read my work before know that I am not much about my destination, but I am all about the journey.  I am speaking of our lives here on this earth in these bodies.  When I begin a trip, be it 30 miles, 6,000 miles or the trip of life, I am never quite sure where I will wind up.  I do know that I will appreciate every second of the journey.  I have never wanted to chase the “pot of gold” at the end of the rainbow.  I have however always appreciated the rainbow. I can find no better way to start the journey of a new day than with a beautiful sunrise.

Bonus Shot

As is often the case my Bonus Shot has nothing at all to do with my article.  This is an image of an Osprey starting its decent.

I appreciate your visiting my blog,

Wayne