Thursday, June 26, 2014

Solstice Photos

The summer solstice occurred last Saturday, and I set a little project for myself — to take a picture of sunrise and one of sunset. Now, the way things are around here, I can't see the sun directly rising or setting (to my eternal disappointment), but I checked online to see the times for my area. It would rise at 5:12 and set at 20:54 (8:54). So, I set myself up at both of those times and took some pictures.

I seemed to be on a bit of a fool's errand because it's been almost nothing but cloud here, but even so, I was determined to take photos at those times regardless. Somewhat serendipitously, I experienced an marvellous sunrise and an acceptable sunset.

Of course, you realize that one sees the light from the sun both before it comes up and after it goes down. The sky was really lit in the morning photos.


In all photos except for the one below, I used HDR to blend two pics — one for the land and one for the sky. Aside from not being an HDR, the one below is also the only hand-held photo, and it is really a stitch of two photos — or more like 1.5 after cropping.


After the above shots, I moved to the other side of the road that is on the left and took a photo of the trail. It's an all purpose trail used by cyclists and pedestrians in fair weather and snowmobiles and pedestrians in winter.


All of the above photos are a fair representation of the way I remember seeing the sky that morning. In the following sunset shots, the sky was not as dark as it appears in the photos, but it is pretty well the way that it came out of my underexposed shots before blending two photos for sky and land (or water).


Notice some silhouettes of Canada Geese above. They are a main reason why I chose that spot to set up my tripod. Visible are several adults and a couple of goslings' heads.  Then I moved the tripod to a spot and an angle where I could catch a few clouds.


So, that was the project that I set for myself. And I don't think I even had a daytime time after that early morning.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my. The lighting and sky really worked well for you.

TexWisGirl said...

these are really beautiful! you did exceptionally well!

Gail Dixon said...

Wow, these are really beautiful. The colors and composition are excellent!

Mara said...

We may have great light up here in Norway, but you certainly know how to use that light. I will need to get some training to get those beautiful shots you always seem to get.

Wow!

Ginger said...

Wow, AC. Those photos are stunning! Such talent...

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

As I kept scrolling and reading and admiring the beauty you captured in the early morning and then close of day, I wondered how anyone could not appreciate the simple beauty all around. You have captured it so well here, John.

MARY G said...

You go from strength to strength. Particularly like the goose heads shot.
The sunrise was not nearly as good out here as the one you got. We too do not have an eastern or western clean horizon shot, surrounded by trees as we are, and while I was up for the sunrise, I was too dern lazy to hike a half kilometre to get to an open view.
You are not only a very talented photographer but also a man of determination and backbone (we won't discuss the insomnia, eh?).

troutbirder said...

Stunning photography!!!! Thanks AC

KGMom said...

Speechless. That's me in the face of these gorgeous photos. I would use every one of them for a screen shot (for me...) except that I have my granddaughter in that spot, and don't want to dislodge her.
But, oh, AC, these are just stunning.

Ginnie said...

Breathtaking, AC and I also enjoyed reading about the "rock stacking" Canadians.

Mage said...

Lovely thanks.

Shammickite said...

A successful project, I should say.

Regenia said...

I, like everyone else here, appreciate your talent, Thank you for sharing these beautiful shots.