Lessons from the Shenandoah National Park
I recently posted about hiking to the top Hawksbill Mountain in Shenandoah National Park to photograph what turned out to be a beautiful sunrise from the summit. Being on the top of that mountain taught me to experience sunrises and sunsets in a different way. I’ve always looked for that decisive moment when the light is at it’s peak. Now I realize that a sunrise is a story that starts at first light and ends when the dawn colors fade. Sunsets are the same, just in the opposite direction.
This realization really came home recently when I went to photograph the sunrise in the New Jersey Pinelands. This sunrise was a story of light and weather that I was able to witness as the sun rose just before a storm front moved in.
When you go out to photograph a sunrise, it is usually impossible to predict what will happen. It’s something I fret over before heading out, especially on a warm muggy morning. After hiking to a location then standing around swatting mosquitos while pointing a camera at the brightening sky, you hope to get something out of it.
Early Twilight
On this morning there was no disappointment. I saw a predicted storm front coming in from the north and hoped to get a window of nice light before the clouds covered the sky completely. The photograph below was made with the camera facing north, away from where the sun was going to rise.
Fortunately, the front moved in slowly which allowed for some beautiful light as the sun rose over the Franklin Parker Preserve, one of the gems, in the New Jersey Pinelands. The following is the progression of light from just before sunrise to the point where the clouds finally started to overtake the rising sun. The time each photograph was made has been added to the caption.
What really caught my eye during the sunrise were the colors and how the mist on the lake glowed bright red for a brief time.
As you can see in this last photograph, the storm clouds caught up with the sun making a complete change in the color of the light. This only lasted the briefest of time before the gray clouds completely covered the sun and the rain started.
Dawn is a mystical time when night transitions into day. This one was just a brief window where an impending storm left room for a spectacular sunrise. Please feel free to leave a comment below.
Enjoy
Gorgeous shots at one of the finest locations in the pine barrens!
I couldn’t agree with you more! The Pinelands are an amazing place and the Franklin Parker Preserve is by far one of the best places to make that realization. Thanks, as always, for your support Mike.
Reblogged this on South Jersey Trails and commented:
One of our favorite photographers – Richard Lewis – has another great series of shots, this time of a progressing sunset at the Parker Preserve! This is seriously one of the best hiking spots in the whole state of New Jersey, so it’s totally worth the trip to see it. For help along the way, you can check out our write ups on some of the trails there – the White Trail, the Batona reroute through the preserve, or a guest post from James on the Red Trail.
I know I’m dying to get out there for a sunset now!
Thanks for reblogging this post on your great website. I really appreciate it. I also agree with your trail assessments in the Franklin Parker Preserve. The Red trail is always a favorite, especially when I just need to get out in the woods and decompress.
Beautiful
Also, the colours of the light are different at these times
Thanks for your comment Rajiv and I could not agree with you more. The colors during the dawn’s are one of the things that makes me want to wake up each morning.
Yeah… If it was not for that, i might refuse to get up!
Amazing just how beautiful the pine barrens really are. You certainly have captured several glorious morns. One of my favorite places to ride. Thank you for sharing these.
Thanks Buck, I really appreciate your compliment. These Pines are so beautiful. One of these days we’ll bound to run into you while you are riding out there.
Nice presentation of the morning light. Your photos illustrate how the color changes.
Thanks Ken. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
Spectacular! I especially love the one at 6:17.
Thanks for letting me be there with you (through the photos). Makes my day!
Thank you Susanne! I really appreciate the compliment. The image made at 6:17 is my favorite and it was just when all the elements in that sky came together so beautifully. Your comment helps me realize why I keep blogging. Thanks again!
Wow! Gorgeous shots, particularly the 6:17 one. I love the rich color.
Marites from NJPhotography on FB.
Thanks Marites. I appreciate your comment. The one at 6:17 was the most amazing part of this stunning sunrise. All the elements in the sky just worked so beautifully together at that point.
Like this piece Rich. I live on the 11th floor corner apt. facing north. It’s been a year now since I made the the decision to downsize big time. And from my perch I’ve witnessed many, many beautiful sunsets looking north with the Philly skyline in the foreground. And you’re right sometimes I get set up for the best time and over next hour or so they are all seem like “best times” Moving to the to the balcony on the eastern side I’ve been mesmerized by some powerful sunrises. One day when I have more time I’ll do the necessary post processing.
Thanks Bob, I appreciate your comment and compliment. I hope you get to process those images soon and share them. A great sunset over the Philadelphia skyline in the foreground sounds like a recipe for a great photograph.
Works of art
Thanks Byron. I really appreciate that!
Gorgeous! ~Rita
Thanks for your comment Rita. I appreciate it.
A great series here … I love the orange overtones with just the hint of color variation here and there. Nice work and post!
Thanks Denise. It was one of those sunrises that was worth waking up for.