Think Big

Flat Rock Park

Well, maybe not big, but at the very least I was thinking. I’ve had this image in my head few a while. There is an area at Flat Rock Park where the rock formations are in a large semi-circle. Typically, this area is occupied by other visitors, i.e., kids climbing on the rocks, groups of people gathering near the tree in the center of this view, etc.

But, the sun rises behind the semi-circle. Last weekend I attempted to get this image but there was nothing but clouds in the sky. Yesterday the conditions seemed good looking out my apartment window so I grabbed the camera before heading out for my weekly grocery run. It was a good morning. Low 60’s, no wind and best of all, no one in my view. Oh, and the clouds were just right.

I played around this area for about 45 minutes. I tried different angles, different compositions and especially waiting for different colors in the sky. This is a 7 image panoramic view about 20 minutes before the actual sunrise. By the time the sun breaks the horizon there will be a lot more orange tinted light in the sky. The 7 images cover about 140 degrees of view which contributes to the changing color in the sky.

Typically I use the tag #SilentSunday for images I post at the start of the week, mostly because it allows me to be lazy. Today I wanted to share a little more about this one… wishing you the best for today.

Think Big
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 2s, 28mm, f/11, ISO 100
{7 image pano}

Rise and Shine

Silent Sunday
Boardwalk, Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

Rise and Shine
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/30s, 29mm, f/11, ISO 100

Early Light

Yacht Club Lighthouse
Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

Morning is my favorite time of the day. Maybe it’s because I’m an early riser. I’ve been getting up around 4am for years. Originally it was for necessity but now it’s habit. I can go to bed late and still I wake up early (I’ll admit a good nap might be needed later).

Maybe being a photographer is another reason I still get up early. Some of the best light is before the sun pops above the horizon to right after it makes its appearance. Same can be said for sunset but at sunset there are generally more people around. In the morning, most people are still sleeping. I guess I like having the light all to myself.

This penchant for the morning is even stronger when I’m on vacation, especially when I’m at Disney. This is definitely related to the “less people” comment above. When I stay at the Beach Club I get the added benefit of the walking/running trail around Crescent Lake and the amazing views to be found. Just look at this view…

Early Light
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/13s, 33mm, f/11, ISO 100

Morning Reflected

Crescent Lake, Epcot Area, Walt Disney World

I’m home! As you have been warned, I am back in Walt Disney World. I left late Wednesday night and drove six hours in order to get to the resort bright and early. OK, I’ll admit I stopped after crossing the Florida state line and took an hour nap but driving down was definitely better than the fun that is air travel. Although, the last forty miles had me questioning my decision… 🙂

My room wouldn’t be ready for hours ,so I decided to grab a few sunrise images before heading to the bus for the Magic Kingdom. It was a great way to unwind after the drive. I could feel the tense muscles relaxing and my mind was getting into vacation mode.

Well, it is time to go walk around the lake and see what today’s sunrise will bring me…

Morning Reflected
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/10s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 100

Zoomin’ In

Bellamy Harbor, Rome, NY

Saturday morning I finally got off my butt and headed out for the sunrise at Bellamy Harbor. There might not have been as many clouds in the sky as I would have preferred, but the colors were a beautiful consolation prize. These three images are from the same location all within a minute of each other, the only difference being the amount of zoom I used. There is a subtle shift in the colors as less of the blue sky is included in the view.

Blue Hour
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 2s, 27mm, f/11, ISO 100

The Harbor
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.6s, 42mm, f/11, ISO 100

Zoomin’ In
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.6s, 60mm, f/11, ISO 100

Tower on the Rise Reflected

Silent Sunday
Bellamy Harbor Park

Tower on the Rise
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 2.5s, 41mm, f/11, ISO 100

Tower Reflected
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1.6s, 57mm, f/11, ISO 100

Colors of Dawn

Bellamy Harbor Park

It was a long week. We also had an EF-2 tornado slice its way through Rome. Thankfully, no casualties, but quite a lot of damage. The city will be recovering for quite a while, but to see how everyone comes together is very encouraging.

This morning was not a day to sit on my butt. I went to Bellamy Harbor Park for the colors of the morning before sunrise. I processed this one quickly to be able to show it off…

Colors of Dawn
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, {0.6, 1.3, 2.5s bracket}, 26mm, f/11, ISO 100

Life in the Morning

Discovery Island, Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Life in the Morning
Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/50s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 100