Blue Dawn
A rare moment of beauty in Sydney as the Opera House is bathed in the early dawn light, just before the sun breeches the horizon. All natural colour as captured...
Read more
A rare moment of beauty in Sydney as the Opera House is bathed in the early dawn light, just before the sun breeches the horizon. All natural colour as captured in camera.
Read less
Read less
Mar, 2016Views
139
Likes
Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Legendary Award
2020 Choice Award
Elite
9Teen Award
Hero Award
Lucky 3 Award
Great Shot
Top Ranks
Top 10 rank
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 2Top 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank week 1
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
This was shot from the Rocks in Sydney harbour. The light in Australia is just sublime. I was set up well before sunrise knowing where the sun would appear over the horizon. I made this just before the sun rose capturing the light as it hit the clouds, offering a clear reflection of the Opera House in the still water. There has been no colour correction in this shot and it is an 'in camera' image. I was the only photographer there that morning so this sunrise is a unique photo of that day.Time
I made sure I was at the Rocks well before dawn to set up my tripod and get into a good position. I had researched the best location the day before. The shot was recorded around 0600, just before the sun crossed the horizon. A few minutes later and I would have got a completely different image.Lighting
As mentioned, the lighting in Australia is just the most vibrant and clear I have ever seen anywhere in the world. Sunrise and sunset during the golden hours cannot be bettered anywhere in my opinion. This is also relevant considering this is a city shot and not some remote low pollution landscape.Equipment
I used a Canon 5D for this image. The lens used was a Canon 24-105 L Zoom along with a Manfrotto tripod, cable release. Exif data not recorded on this shot.Inspiration
Essentially I was looking to capture an image of the Opera House that I hadn't seen before. You can imagine I was extremely pleased with the result, particularly when I saw the image on the back of the camera. I knew I had captured something special and got the shot not a minute too soon or too late.Editing
Very little post processing was required on this shot as what you see is what the sensor recorded. I checked the histogram and there had to be a bit of highlight clipping given the sun's rays hitting the horizon. In my opinion this helped the image by highlighting the overcast clouds creating a lovely blue hue as it reflected off the water.In my camera bag
I have a 2 bodies: Canon 5D MKII and a 5Dsr. I have a range of lenses from 100mm macro to a 100-400 L zoom, including a 50mm prime, a 16-35 mm L Zoom and a 24-105 mm L. If I need a flash I have a Canon unit and a wireless box too, if required. I always carry my Manfrotto tripod, particularly on landscape shoots or I want to use longer exposures..Feedback
I took many shots in Sydney harbour both before and after this one was made. They are all different. This one was unique from the whole shoot. My advice would be just to be at your location early and have an idea what you want to capture. Then nature either helps or hinders your imagination.
