Sunrises and sunsets, they happen everyday. Of course, there are times you can't actually see the sun, but it's still there. The first night of the photography workshop I attended we drove to the top of Hickory Nut Mountain to photograph the sunset. The drive itself was an adventure; four miles on a gravel road, six or seven cars, mine next to last, and dust so thick you couldn't see very far in front of you. We finally made it to the vista at the top and found a spectacular view of Lake Ouachita and the Ouachita Mountains.
There were clouds that night which obscured the actual sunset. These pictures were taken a little more to the north. The sun rays broke through the clouds in brilliant colors. I love the way a bit of the colors are reflected in the water.
On our last morning, we went back up to Hickory Mountain Vista to capture the sunrise. Once again there were clouds and we saw little of the actual sunrise, but the gorgeous colors were there breaking through the clouds. In the picture below, see all that fluffy white right above the tree line? That is the lake, totally covered by a low hanging cloud. The cloud was fascinating as it moved. It make me think I was looking at ocean waves.
Even though there were clouds, the morning was gorgeous as the sun rose higher and began to shine on the trees.
There were clouds that night which obscured the actual sunset. These pictures were taken a little more to the north. The sun rays broke through the clouds in brilliant colors. I love the way a bit of the colors are reflected in the water.
Even though there were clouds, the morning was gorgeous as the sun rose higher and began to shine on the trees.
Notice my title, Sunrise, Sunset, and Water Motion. You've seen the sunrise and the sunset, that just leaves the water motion. I saved these pictures for last because they were my worst. We set up our cameras near a stream with the goal of creating silky water flow. I got the silky water, but I also got blurry everything else. Yes, I used a tripod. No, I didn't use a remote shutter release. Yes, the wind was blowing a little. I deleted most of my blurry, water pictures, but I kept a few just to remember the fun of trying.
We did a lot of other photography at the workshop, but these three challenges were my favorite even though I didn't succeed at water motion. Mistakes are all right as long as we learn from them and I certainly learned that a remote makes a difference.
I'd like to post one more time about the photography workshop, mostly just snapshots of where we were and a little of the small things that caught my eye.
Until then, if you ever get a chance to photography a sunrise or sunset, go for it. It's a magical time of the day!
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
One season following another,
Lainden with happiness and tears.
~ Sheldon Harnick
(Fiddler On The Roof)
Such beautiful, beautiful photos, Cathy--even the water ones look great to my untrained eye!! Enjoy your day :)
ReplyDeleteLovely sunrise and sunset shots. I think some of the loveliest sunset shots I've seen are with clouds! The low hanging cloud does look like an ocean waves shot! Beautiful sunlight shining in the trees on the third from last shot. Moving water isn't always easy to capture. I like capturing it as it is in its natural state without exaggerated shutter speed to create special looks. It's always fun to try out new things though and I can tell you were enjoying yourself!
ReplyDeletepretty captures!! i prefer clouds keeping the sunset company, the colors are always spectacular!!!
ReplyDeletei have never taken a workshop or class and the water looks beautiful to me!! i love seeing all the elements in image #1!!!
These are beautiful Cathy. Love the light coming in through the pines and the views of fall. Have a wonderful day
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great workshop and the photos you shared are beautiful! I, too, find water motion to be difficult but that doesn't stop me from trying when I have the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteCathy, I really love the softness of your early morning photos with the low lying clouds and the mist. You were up late and rose again before dawn to capture these photos. I'm enjoying them.
ReplyDeleteI've never been crazy about the silky water effect in general, but I think you did well for a first try. I think the second one here is interesting because it shows that little circular swirl on the left, something you can't really see otherwise. Your sunrise/sunsets are lovely. I love the sunrise shot with the solitary tree, and the next one of the golden light on the pine with the blue mountains showing through behind. Well done, Cathy! (PS - if you don't have a remote shutter release, you could try the self-timer on your camera to avoid the shake of pressing the shutter button. It's hard to do anything about the wind, though.)
ReplyDeleteI think all of your photos are great. We did have a good time at the retreat.
ReplyDeleteCathy, your sunset photos are just stunning....Workshops are fun and tiring at the same time but nice to get with other photographers and enjoy nature with your camera.....We're always learning aren't we?
ReplyDeleteDon't worry I haven't nailed silky water yet either, it isn't as easy as it looks. I love the sunrise and sunsets, you have to take what you get and make the most of it, the color were gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! These pictures are amazing! Wow!
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