Over the last few weeks, I’ve been getting up early to catch the sun rise above the horizon on the shores of Lake Ontario. It wasn’t easy waking up at 5am some days, but let me tell you, more often than not, I find it easier to take photos of sunrises than sunsets. And here’s why.
In order to take any photos of sunrises or sunsets, you have to be present at that time. I’ve often heard many photographers say that they like to take sunset photos much more than sunrise photos because of the sheer fact that they are always awake at that time. Well, for the most of us, that’s true.
I can’t however, always say that it’s easier to take sunset photos because that means I have to schedule my day around this time. If I’m out and about running errands or doing something else, I may not necessarily be able to make it to that sunset shoot. And as our schedules get increasingly busier and busier, we are often left wanting more time to just relax to ourselves, making it even harder to want to go to that shoot to begin with.
Sunrises, however, are a completely different animal. Why? Because 99% of the time, we are always doing the same thing before the sun rises: sleeping. What do we need to do to go take those sunrise shots? Wake up! It’s really that easy. No need to reschedule appointments, rush traffic, or miss dinner.
Admittedly it does take that extra effort of waking up extra early but I find it very rewarding to see that sun rise amidst the cool morning breeze. In fact, there’s nothing more eye-opening than seeing Mother Nature at her best.
Over the last few weeks I made it an effort to catch those morning glows. Some days I was more successful than others—weather-wise. During heavily overcast periods you don’t get that brilliant glow of the morning sun. Instead if you’re lucky, you’ll get some dramatic clouds rolling in with a hint of the sun behind it. But other days I’ve witnessed some magical moments that I hoped I was able to show with my photography.
Next time, why not wake up just a little earlier and see what surprises await you?