When the sun is low in the sky casting long shadows, familiar places can start to look magical.
The dark shadows and the light of the setting sun can make a great visual contrast.
Yesterday, as the sun was going down, I was walking on Burrow Beach, Sutton. The low sun was aiming straight at Ireland’s Eye and it looked absolutely stunning.
I like Burrow Beach. It doesn’t get too busy and it makes a nice flat walk from Sutton to Howth, away from the traffic. At one end you have Sutton Golf Club and at the other you have the Howth’s West Pier.
The beach itself isn’t much more than 1km long but it’s a beautiful walk no matter what the weather throws at you. Certainly less strenuous than last Sunday’s Sutton to Howth cliff walk.
It wasn’t a day for rushing. I had planned on walking to Howth and getting a cup of coffee but I decided to sit and watch the changing light instead. It was a perfect way to relax.
I’ve been reading about contrasts in images lately in Michael Freeman’s 101 Top Digital Photography Tips
In his chapter on composition, Freeman talks about contrasts within the image. As I read I realised that I don’t often look at a potential photograph and think beyond where I want to place the subject. But looking for contrasts, e.g. shadows and light, man made and natural, lines and curves, rough and smooth…the list is probably endless, can make an image so much more interesting.
The great thing about the book is that it has me considering what I’m seeing much more than I ever did before. I like that. It hasn’t instantly improved my photography skills, but it has given me every chance to get better as I consider what materials I can work with.
That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop taking snaps. If I insisted on analysing every situation before taking a photograph I’d not only lose the moment but also the patience of anyone who’s with me.
But when I’ve the time, and the situation allows, I’ll view my surroundings a little differently from now on.
Yesterday on Burrow Beach was like that. I like the result, especially the picture of the rock pool and Ireland’s Eye.
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