Showing posts with label sunrise photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sunrise photography. Show all posts

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Photographing Beautiful Sunrises

Photograph Beautiful Sunrises


sunrise in jupiter, florida photo by mbgphoto
Sunrise in Jupiter Florida
Source: Mary Beth Granger
During March of 2009, we were fortunate to be able to stay in a condo with the balcony overlooking the ocean in Jupiter, Florida. I was delighted to be able to photograph the sunrise each morning. The first morning when I awoke I was amazed at the beauty of the sunrise, I thought "it can't get any better than this!", but then each morning I discovered a new glory awaited me.

I was amazed at how the variation in the clouds and weather made each sunrise a little different from the one the day before. It reminded me of a phrase my father-in-law always said This is the Day the Lord hath Made!

On this page I will review the photos taken from that balcony. I will also show some sunrise photos that I have taken on other trips and add a few tips that I used to photograph these scenes. I hope you enjoy these spectacular views!

The photo in this introduction was taken from the same balcony on a return visit in March 2014. I enjoy using the skills I have learned each year to take more sunrise photos from this balcony. I can set up my tripod, jump out of bed just before sunrise, and shoot these dramatic views!

photos by Mary Beth Granger


Before the Dawn - Colors before the Sun Rises

Before Dawn photo by mbgphoto


For about an hour before sunrise each day I was able to photograph some beautiful colors in the sky. The trick here is rising early and having your tripod and camera set up and ready to take the photos. I then take a series of photos starting before the sunrises and then every 5 minutes or so until the sun becomes too bright. On these first photos I was still at the point in learning photography where I relied on the auto settings on my camera. These photos were taken using the nighttime setting on my Sony DSLR.

This series of photos is taken from the same spot each day over a ten day period.


Pink Sky before Sun Rise - predawn light

predawn light by mggphoto


We returned to the same place in Jupiter in 2010. Here is a photo from the same vantage point.

If you wait till sunrise to start photographing you will miss beautiful scenes such as this one. This photo was taken about 30 minutes before sun rise. The brilliant pink colors were there for only about 10 minutes. Amazing beauty!!


Let There be Light - inspirational photo

Let There Be Light photo by mbgphoto


If there are clouds low in the sky you can continue shooting well after the sun rises.


On this day the sun rose and then went into a cloud bank. The rays of sun coming out of the clouds reminded me of photos you often see of the creation. And God said "Let There be Light"



Sunrise in Paradise - Ocean Sunrise

ocean sunrise photo by mbgphoto



Sun through the Clouds

sun through the clouds photo by mbgphoto



On this morning there was a heavy cloud bank right on the horizon. I had to wait a bit before I could catch the sun.....it was worth the wait!



Sunrise with Scattered Clouds - Yellow colors in the sunrise

sunrise with scattered clouds by mpgphoto



On this morning there were scattered clouds that the sun went in and out of as it rose. You can see a bird taking an early morning flight.



First Light on Cloudy Day

first light on a cloudy day photo by mbgphoto



On a very cloudy day the sunrise gives another different look. You can see the pinks in the sky as the sun emerges on the horizon and then slips into a bank of clouds.



Sunrise-Heavy Clouds

sunrise-heavy clouds photo by mbgphoto



On this morning the clouds were so heavy that you never really saw the sun, just glimpses of light through the clouds.



Fall Sunrise in Destin, Florida


The next group of photos were taken in the fall of 2007 at Destin, Florida. We were staying by the ocean and I was able to capture the sun rising on the ocean from our balcony. This was the first time I had witnessed the sun rising over the ocean. The reflection of the rising sun on the ocean appears as if it is melting out of the water. It is an incredible site. I was later able to witness the same site at sunset and it was equally amazing.

Enjoy!

Fall Florida Sunrise - Sunrise over the ocean

fall florida sunrise photo by mpgphoto




Sunrise in Mazatlan

Sunrise in Mazatlan


This photo was taken from a cruise ship as we were arriving in Mazatlan, Mexico.


Sunrise in Port Washington, Wisconsin

Sunrise in Port Washington, Wisconsin


This photo was taken while we were visiting Port Washington, Wisconsin. I love the way the sky takes on a dark orange cast.



Here are some of my photographs of sunrises and sunsets on Zazzle products.




Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Thursday, April 3, 2014

Refining your Skills as a Photographer

beach scene photo by mbgphoto

To refine your skills as a photographer it is important to Practice-Practice-Practice.  During the month of March I spent some time each morning practicing photographing the sunrise.  I took hundreds of photos, using different settings on my camera.  I would then load them into my computer and see which settings got me the desired shots.  The next day I would start with that setting and then start the process all over again. 


While I went through this process, I also learned a lot about the natural lighting in the sky.  For instance I found that on many mornings there was a time about 20-30 minutes before sunrise when the sky would take on some beautiful colors.  It would only last for a few minutes so if you didn't know when to look for it you would miss a great opportunity for a beautiful photo.  Here is the result of one of those predawn shots.
ocean scene photo by mbgphoto



beach scene photo by mbgphoto


Every morning in March brought another spectacular sunrise.  Here is another of my photos from these practice sessions.  On this morning there were a lot of clouds so I photographed the sun just as it came up over the ocean and before it went into the next bank of clouds.  Note how the light shines through the clouds above it. 




Practicing photography can take many forms, from my self-imposed challenges to formal classes and workshops. 
Next week I will talk about some of the formal photography classes that I have taken.


Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


Thursday, February 20, 2014

Sunrise-Sunset and Night Photography

Taking  photos in low light can present challenges, but if you keep a few tips in mind you will be rewarded with some wonderful photos.  To get really clear photos in low light settings a tripod is a must.  Here is a photo that I took in my front yard on the 4th of July. 
red and while fireworks photo by mbgphoto

Taking photos of fireworks can be a fun adventure. There seems to be lots of fireworks around our neighborhood so each year on Independence Day I set up my tripod on our front walk and wait for just the right shot.  I have found that the tripod is a necessity to get a clear shot.

In this photo I used my Canon SX40 camera.  For my settings I used a F8 aperture and held the camera open for 2 seconds.  The ISO setting was 100 and I zoomed to the 80mm setting.




I also enjoy taking photos in low light settings.  The time just before and for about 30 minutes after sunset can produce some beautiful photos.  I give you hints on taking photos during this time at How to Take Sunset Photos

I am not usually an early  morning person but the beauty of a sunset can get me out of bed and behind the eye of a camera.  Here is a shot I took at sunrise in Juno Beach Florida.  I arrived at the pier about 1/2 hour before sunrise, set up my camera and waited for the perfect shot.  I was able to take about 20 photos before the sun got too high in the sky.
Juno Beach Florida Sunrise photo by mbgphoto


I have been fascinated by sunrises for quite some time and have written about other encounters with photographing sunrises on this page Beautiful Sunrises.

As I visited the pages of other photographers this week I found two that I particularly enjoyed their takes on night time and low light photography.
  • Patgoltz is a wonderful photographer.  On this page Night Photography , she gives us great hints on taking photos at night.  She also suggests some interesting night time subjects.  I would think of photographing the moon, fireworks, and Christmas lights; all of which Pat gives some wonderful tips.  But how about subjects like flowers, birds, lightning and even snow?  Those are some of the interesting night subject Pat explores on her lens.
  • EditionH gives 5 tips for taking photos of the sunrise and sunset.  This lens was granted a Lens of the Day on 2/10/14 Sunset and Sunrise Photos  Be sure to stop by to see some beautiful photos and learn how you can take these photos.  My favorites are the photos with the morning fog!



Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


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