Sunrise Reflection
Jan, 2020Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken from one of the South Seaport Piers in Lower Manhattan toward Brooklyn.Time
Sunrise is my favourite time to shoot. It's peaceful and the crowds are generally smaller, but this winter shot was bitter for sure.Lighting
I had been eyeing up this shot for weeks since the first time I saw the sunrise reflect off some new towers in Williamsburg. Either the ferry was late, there weren't any clouds, it was way too cloudy, or I didn't have my gear with me. Getting the glow of the sun to the right and the reflection to the left has been one of my more thought out compositions - I think it worked out well.Equipment
I was shooting with a Sony A6000, an NDF either 6 or 10 stops for a 30 second exposure, and Rikon wide angle lens with a portable tripod.Inspiration
My morning commute at the time was to run to the ferry in South Brooklyn with my Camel Bak and small amount of camera equipment inside. From South Brooklyn to Manhattan there are a plethora of great views, but I've always been drawn to bridges. One morning from the back of the ferry I noticed this reflection and only had enough time for a blurry cell photo before it was gone. It seemed like a great chance to do something different with such highly photographed scenery. Fortunately the piers in Manhattan offer a more stable place to set up camp with my gear.Editing
I use Photoshop to post process. Generally I stick to correcting the position of the image, cropping, and some minor colour correction.In my camera bag
Since I prefer long exposures I always try to have a tripod and ND filters. I've just switched up to a Sony A7RII and have a new adjustable wide angle lens (16mm - 35mm), so I carry around fewer lenses than before. Extra batteries and some minor cleaning accessories are super helpful, especially if on a boat kicking up water. Most recently I've also added a remote clicker for the shutter and it has proven wonders.Feedback
Sometimes your first shot is your only shot to capture the moment, especially if it's long exposure. If I'm aiming for sunrises, I try to arrive where I want to take the shots 45-60 minutes before the sun is supposed to cross the horizon- although it doesn't always work out that way. Even if you think the moment's over, it's always a great opportunity to stick around a while longer and try out some other techniques that could come in handy for another time.
