With a few thousand sunrises under my
belt, I have learned a few things that might be
helpful to the other early morning risers who
want to take serious sunrise images. The two
most important tools (besides the camera)
are a sturdy tripod and a polarizing filter.
Shooting in very low light with long shutter
speeds makes the tripod essential. It also forces
the photographer to really think about the
composition of the shot. Check the entire frame
to make sure that every element in the frame
is what you want to see in the final shot. The
polarizing filter will help darken the sky and
suppress glare from the water. By darkening
the sky, the photographer gains more details
in the shadows.
Once you have these essential tools, you can
focus on the composition of your shot. The very
best sunrise shots all have one thing in common,
and it is not the sun. They all have an interesting
foreground. Almost anyone can shoot a photo
of a beautiful sky, but a skilled photographer
will have an equally interesting foreground
to complement that beautiful sky. One of the
best foregrounds for a sunrise is water since it
reflects exactly what is happening in the sky.
Luckily, we have plenty of water on Kiawah.
I am often asked whether there is a particular
time of year or season that is best for sunrise
or sunset photographs? After much thought,
I have determined that the answer is no. Each
season brings different characteristics, but no
one season is better than any other. Summer
brings early morning thunderstorms that can
be incredibly dramatic, but it can also bring
long stretches of hazy cloudless days with
uninspiring light. Fall months bring golden hues
to the marsh grass, and spring offers energized
wildlife and new fresh color.
For me, the most critical factor in creating
memorable sunrise photographs is the clouds.
The clouds capture and hold the color, filter the
warm light, and balance a well-composed shot.
If I could control the weather, I would forecast
40 percent cloud cover every morning with the
occasional thunderstorm along the ocean.
Kiawah Island has been a gift for me to
photograph over the years. The beauty and
opportunity for great photographs are endless.
Now get out and shoot and make great images! NK
WINTER/SPRING 2019 • VOLUME 41
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