One of my favorite subjects revolves around the rising or setting sun. I especially enjoy locating interesting shapes within the scene as to render them as silhouettes. Of course the rising/setting sun can be used to render objects opposite the actual sun in beautiful warm yellows and golds as well.

Today’s images were primarily shot in the direction of the sun, although mostly that big yellow ball of fire was either below the horizon line, or out of the picture frame either left, right or above.

While reds, oranges and golds are the most common color that develops, pinks blues and purples can appear also.

Finding things to silhouette is pretty easy, anything including manmade subjects can be powerful.

The sun arose in the east over a lake, but there was nothing to silhouette in or above the lake. On the bank right in front of me, there it was, a tree.

A borderline abstract. I could have shot all leaves to complete the abstraction, but I liked the way the silhouetted tree “leaned” into the picture frame.

I was in the mountains on a western trip waiting for the rising sun to get close, just close mind you, to the horizon. It lit the clouds up like a Christmas tree. The dead calm waters of the lake made for a perfect reflection of those clouds.

A mirror if you will.

The question of vertical or horizontal is just as valid with a sunrise shot minus details, as much or more so than a traditional image.

When in doubt, do both.

The bits of land you see are of course silhouettes.

I have found that trees without leaves, also make good silhouettes. That would suggest winter or late fall so dress appropriate for the season.

A steely bluish sky with a fiery sun just below the horizon can make for an awesome combination with leafless trees. Sometimes it is a benefit to ignore what we expect from a location and realize what is actually in front of us.

Contrasting colors can create an amazing mood.

Leafless trees do make nice abstractions.

I have made no color alterations with the photo below. Composition is actually as big a part of this photo as is color.

Silhouetting trees and other subjects does in fact mean we have to compose those detail less subjects just as we would in midday with obvious details.

Below is an intentional and thought out composition. It is also simple.

I was attracted to rim light on the clouds with this one. We have to look, and then we have to “see”.

With our final image I was at a dock awaiting sunrise when I decided that the shapes on the dock would be my subject. Not the subjects per say, just their shapes. In some respects, those shapes give forth a sort of oriental mood.

I do not share as much technical data when I write these articles as I used to. After all these years it kind of bores me a bit. I would however mention that when you are after sunrises/sunsets, in particular with silhouettes, using meter readings from right next to, or including a bit of the actual sun, and up to pointing the camera meter or hand held meter, right at the center of the sun if it is above the horizon, will cause featureless silhouettes. Color and shape.

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“Jesus died for me, so I could live for Him.”

A thank you to the late Adrian Rodgers for sharing that thought. He was the “real deal” when it came to understanding and respecting the Word of God.

John 7:7
The world cannot hate you, but Me (Jesus), it hates ( He is speaking now of the so called or fake religious world), because I testify of it, that the works therefore are evil .

God Bless,
Wayne