Our Final Stop

Exploding in a spectacle of color, I had to conclude the Sunrise Intersections collection with this photo, a personal favorite. Every element needed to make it perfect arrived in view at exactly the right time because of “The Sweet Spot.” This was truly a top Sunrise Photo for me. 

All the right ingredients are present, creating an intersection of color and formations that bring your eye right into the middle of the shot. The clouds (compliments of some Sahara dust) set the stage. But what makes this image so incredible is the time of day I captured the moment, i.e., “The Sweet Spot.” I believe this captures the essence of a stunning Sunrise Photo.

A Valuable Lesson Learned

When I first began photographing the sunrise, I had no idea what to expect. Always an early riser, I was up before or at dawn. But I thought sunrise meant when the sun was visible on the horizon. I was learning how crucial timing is for the perfect Sunrise Photo. 

I was quickly educated once I started taking photos, and timing was my first lesson. It was knowing when to be present (and be present) and ready to begin shooting. And that is well before the sun makes its appearance!

Photography Tip #10

Photography requires understanding the cycle of the sunrise. On mornings like those in today’s image, there was a brief window of opportunity to capture “The Sweet Spot.” Earlier in the morning, it was too dark, but more importantly, just minutes after I took this shot, the color was quickly fading. Once the sun crests above the horizon, its brilliance washes out the colors, and they become muted or nonexistent. This timeliness is key for an exceptional Sunrise Photo.  

Many people and photographers enjoy photographing the “Golden Hour,” as do I! But it is called such because the sun can be so intense that it overtakes the sky, bathing it in gold. It is gorgeous if that is what you want to shoot. But it isn’t as rewarding if you want lots of colors and see them disappear because you are not ready to take pictures. 

So when do these precious moments occur? It’s usually (although every sunrise is different) when there is plenty of (but not too many) clouds, no rain or fog present, particles of dust in the air, and the sun’s light is just becoming visible. This is crucial for capturing a memorable Sunrise Photo.

Learning when “The Sweet Spot” exists each morning takes time, patience, and experience. But once you know when it occurs, you can capture some fantastic photos.

Quote of the Day

I love that this morning’s sunrise does not define itself by last night’s sunset. Steve Maraboli