Sunrise Photography

I love sunrise photography.  Now this is a fact that would be surprising to a few people who know me – especially my mom!  I caused her untold suffering as a child by being near impossible to shift from a bed first thing in the morning.  I admit it I enjoy my sleep and I know you all understand that you are never more comfortable in bed than that moment when you wake up.

All this being said though, I do really love sunrise photography.  If I have planned to get up and try some sunrise shots I have no problem at all leaving the warmth and comfort of the duvet!  

There is something magical about being up at first light, the crispness of the air and the freshness of everything around you as it gears up for a new day is really invigorating.  Keeping all this in mind I have a selection of shots I wanted to share from my recent trip down to Queenstown.  We had pretty iffy weather while we were there though so I only had one day to venture out.  Luckily our hotel was a short walk from the edge of Lake Wakatipu and all along the lake frontage in front of the hotel there were outstanding views of the Remarkables mountain range so I decided this is where I needed to head.



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Sunrise at Lake Wakatipu - Shot at 18mm, f/16, ISO 100, 0.6 seconds

This is the first shot I took that I thought had potential.  I used the rock as foreground interest to help give a sense of depth to the picture and I think this worked quiet well.  However there is something about this photo that just does not sit right with me.  I think it has something to do with the boat  and how it kind of blends too much with the back ground and does not stand out as well as I would have liked it too.

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Sunrise over the Remarkables - Shot at 18mm, f/16, ISO 100, 1/6 second

For this second shot I moved up off the small beach.  Here I was able to include a lot more of the mountain range which I like and I think it gives real emphasis to them.  I know there is no immediate foreground interest but the boat mid-way into the frame is quite a good point of interest and in my opinion helps to give a sense of depth and scale to the picture.  When you look at this mountain range in this kind of circumstances you immediately understand why they are called the Remarkables

I figured I had the sunrise shot I wanted so now I started looking around for some other opportunities.  It was a stunning morning and Queenstown’s fitness fanatics were starting to appear.  I was making the pictures from Queeenston Gardens  and there a numerous trails that early morning runners and cyclists take advantage of to exercise away from traffic.



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Cecil Peak - Shot at 18mm, f/16, ISO 100, 0.6 seconds

Turning the tripod around I was able to make this shot looking towards Cecil Peak on the other side of the lake.  I chose to include the cyclists as they really add some dynamic energy to the photo.  The bush and the pathway really help lead the eye into the picture towards Cecil peak with it's summit dusted with snow.

It was definitely time for some fun now.  Okay I had been having a great time, but what I mean is it was time to make a fun picture.  The main drama of the initial sunrise was well and truly over now so I wanted to try take a series of pictures that I could later edit in a specific way.  What I wanted was myself appearing multiple times in a single shot watching the sun rise from different places.  I chose a bench and got to work.  A few people on their morning jog gave me some pretty puzzled looks as I ran back and forth from the camera and back to different  spots around the bench, I can only imagine what they were thinking!

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Me watching sunrise - Shot 18mm, f/16, ISO 100, 1/6 second

Here is the end result and I think a pretty funky picture to end off with.

Walking back to the hotel I was thinking what a great start to the day this had been.  It is really invigorating to be out there in the crisp air listening to Tui’s bubling their greeting to the morning along with numerous other birds.  I find it makes you feel alive and excited for all the possibilities the day ahead can hold.  I need to plan another morning shoot soon, perhaps when the weather gets a wee bit more friendly…..

Thanks for stopping by I hope you enjoyed!