Category: Sunrise

Morning People

It’s easy to feel that you have a personal connection to the sunrise. Even when you know it can be seen by everyone. And so, when we get up and go to a particular place to enjoy it and hopefully photograph it, I usually find myself with mixed emotions. I see other people (not many) with the same idea as me and feel resentment that they are crashing my party. My time with MY sunrise. On the other hand, I feel reassured that I am not alone in my appreciation of what is arguably the most precious part of the day.

Please meet some of the dawn fraternity…

I pulled into this deserted street near La Zenia beach just before sunrise. As I took the photo I couldn’t help but think the couple in the shot resented me. Probably because I was crashing their party. Their time with THEIR sunrise!

Some mornings disappoint because of cloud cover but the uncertainty is half the joy. After a dull start, my long suffering wife was rewarded with an inspiring sunrise at Playa Flamenca, Orihuela Costa.

This is probably one of my favourites. From a technical perspective, it’s nothing special but I think it has a cinematic feel. Something almost nostalgic about it. Playa Flamenca, Orihuela Costa.

The sun appearing about 10 minutes after sunrise on the coastal path at Cabo Roig. The first jogger of the day coming into shot.

A very cold morning at La Zenia, Orihuela Costa. Alone with her thoughts. This time of day is an opportunity in a frenetic world to find some quiet space.

A lone walker on La Zenia beach. Not many better ways to start the day. And depending on the time of year, this is the only time it is possible. In summer, the daytime temperatures and crowds make it a less enjoyable experience.

Partial reveal. That touch of magic when the rising sun slowly appears above the misty horizon at Playa Flamenca. The patience of the expectant watchers paying off.

There is never any interaction between the morning people, apart from the odd polite nod. A hesitancy exists among the multinational strangers. One unsure of the language spoken by the other. But as the sun rises in the sky and reaches an intensity that is impossible to look at, and as the morning people make their way to their various homes to get on with their days, they can be sure of one thing. They all share a common language. One that has no words. Rather, one that consists of a shared wonder and appreciation of the yellow star that sits at the centre of our solar system and the magic it performs every morning.

Dawn Sailing

Sailing at sunrise on the Costa Blanca, Spain.

My attraction to the sunrise is not just in its beauty. It is also in the allure of what might accompany it. Some are spectacular and some are mediocre. Sometimes they are invisible, shrouded by a veil of cloud. On this particular morning, my luck was in. I could see the sails of the yacht in the distance, just as the sun was beginning to appear. However, I was on an elevated walkway above Cala Capitan at an angle to the sun and looking down onto the water. I quickly made my way down to the beach until i was in line with the sun. This took about five minutes. Just in time to capture the yacht, silhouetted by the giant burning globe. There is a romanticism attached to sailing, especially when it comes to non sailors like me. We don’t appreciate the considerable effort and technical knowledge required to navigate one of these vessels. My navigational skills extend to a few days steering a cabin cruiser on the River Shannon and Lough Erne. And so, for a moment I found myself yearning to be onboard, witnessing the spectacle of the sun creeping above the horizon. Until I realised that it was the silhouetted yacht that made this photo a bit special.

Morning friends

A welcome photo bomber.

Sometimes visitors are welcome, other times they aren’t. The most magical times of day for me are sunrise and sunset. Without any deliberate intention, I developed a habit of photographing these. And while every sunrise or sunset is different, I find myself increasingly looking for ways to add variety. As I was taking a photo on La Zenia beach on the Costa Blanca, Spain, early one morning, a dog appeared out of nowhere. My first reaction was irritation but I quickly realised that his appearance added the variety I had been looking for. Whether you are a dog lover or not, I think you’ll agree that he is the star of this particular photo.

Lake Berkley moment

Morning glory

Central Florida is famous for Disney and the commercialisation that goes with it. But it was also the place where I captured this spectacular sunrise, thanks to my wife who seized the opportunity to get me out of bed. I don’t usually do early starts on holiday!