There’s nothing quite like using the rising/setting sun to create simple, elegant and colorful imagery.

One of the issues students had when we went hunting for sunrise or sunset silhouettes, was exposure. Exposure is actually very easy with these sorts of images. The more you point your camera or hand held meter towards the actually sun, the darker the rest of image will be. That works great for silhouettes, but if you want some small avenues of brightness, you need to begin to point the meter away from that one true “hot spot” if you will.

The scene below was made of the Mississippi River, from the Iowa Bluffs. Actually they are cliffs. It’s always a good idea to shoot both verticals and horizontals.

With a typical river scene, where the river meanders into the distance, I would first shoot verticals and then look for potential horizontals. With this area of that great river, it is visually more like a series of rivers wandering all over the place. That made both formats important. So here we are.

There is nothing like a silhouette to convey feelings of frilliness in branches and leaves. You need space between some trees and/or branches for this to work.

While there is no true detail here, you can almost “feel” texture.

When you find a highly recognizable shape to silhouette, and yes I often use that word as a verb because of the action that you take to accomplish your goal, the next step is to wait for a great pose. This wild goose provided me with just that.

The rising or setting sun is not all about shapely silhouettes. The light of sunset that was provided to me to make use of on these legendary rock forms in Monument valley, Arizona/Utah, was appreciated to say the least. This was the only time in my life to be at that location, at sunset.

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Revelation 19:11-13
11 And I saw Heaven opened and behold a white horse. He who sat upon Him was called Faithful and True and in Righteousness He does judge and make war.

12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns, and He had a name written that no man knew, but He Himself.

13 And He was clothed with a venture dipped in Blood, and His name was called The Word of God. (Jesus Christ)

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One thing’s for certain, we only get what seems a brief few moments on this earth in these bodies. At least compared to eternity.

I have done a fair share of things in my life. I’ve crossed paths with a lot of people, and made some friends, and made some enemies. I do the best I can, .but often I fall far short of what is needed. Once in a while I succeed. Maybe even help someone.

The one thing I know for sure, is telling the truth no matter the consequences, is better than just trying to be liked and searching the easy way out. I have lied and I have been honest. I’ll take honest any time.

We all tend to listen to people who say what we want them to say. Be they criminal or cop, aetheist or pastor, street sweeper or president, most will want to tell us what we want to hear. So we will think highly of them.

I reached a point a while back, where I began sharing what I believe in rather than what will make others happy with me. While I word things at times in a fashion that will not be pleasing to others, my intent is not to be mean, and I feel my point is important.

To the best of my ability, which at times is not very much, I take my chances here and share what I believe, for better or for worse. I may not make many friends, but just the same, I sleep good at night.

God Bless,
Wayne