Sunrise Reflections at Driftwood Beach
Sunrise on a cold morning at Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA.
Sunrise on a cold morning at Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, GA.
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Dec, 2017Views
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Awards
Fall Award 2020
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
Superior Skill
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Emotions
Happy
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this shot at Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia. It was a last minute decision to go out there, and I am glad I went!Time
This was taken right before the sunrise broke the horizon. I remember it being pretty chilly that morning as I was walking along the beach, and I was the only person out there. The tide had just recently receded, so there were reflections on the wet sand everywhere I looked. The early sunlight combined with the wet sand made for a perfect scene.Lighting
The lighting was 100% natural, and it was perfect for the scene. The light lit up not only the sky, but also the reflections on the sand. The tree was a great silhouette against the early morning light.Equipment
This was taken with my Nikon D3200 with the 18-35mm kit lens. I did not have my tripod with me, so I rested the camera on another tree trunk that was nearby to stabilize it.Inspiration
Sunrise is my favorite time of day to shoot. It is always so quiet and peaceful, and the world just looks a little different at that hour. I was only visiting the area for work, so I was hoping to get some good sunrise shots with some clouds over the water, but this day turned out to be a clear day. I decided the old skeletons of the trees on the beach would make for some great silhouettes, and decided to shoot this particular tree. I walked round the tree a couple times looking for the right spot and angle, and then the sunlight made that decision for me. Once I saw the nearly full reflection of the tree in the sand, I knew this was the shot I wanted to take.Editing
I added some warmer color to the picture using Lightroom, but did not do much else. Mother Nature took care of the rest, so there was not much that needed to be done to the photo.In my camera bag
My bag is pretty simple. I usually have my Nikon D3200, 18-55mm kit lens, Nikon 50mm lens, and Nikon 70-200mm lens. I always have an 8x ND filter and Polarizing filter, as well as a cleaning kit for the lenses. My tripod is strapped to the outside of the bag, and an extra battery and remote shutter release are in the pocket.Feedback
Get out before the sun comes up to get those unique shots. Sometimes the best shot is not the one you intended to get, but just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Walk around the location looking at your subject from different angles and viewpoints. Driftwood Beach is littered with old, dead trees and driftwood. Take your time and find the tree that best suits your vision!
