Sunbeams
Wide Awakening
This is a panoramic view of the sun rising over Lake Michigan just beyond the Kewaunee, WI lighthouse.
Sometime I create the wide, panorama images by joining together several individual shots. This one, however, was created in the camera. My Sony SLT-A55V has a “sweep shooting” mode. When in sweep shooting mode, you hold the shutter button and slowly pan across the scene you want to capture. The camera takes multiple images and then joins them together in the camera.
As you can see, sometimes the results are pretty good. Sometimes, it’s better to put together individual images on the computer.
For a better, wider view of this scene, click on the photo.
Moody Morning
My time is somewhat limited. My best opportunities for image hunting has been early Saturday and Sunday mornings. My best locations…given my limited time…is close to home. That’s why you see a lot of sunrise photos of the Algoma and Kewaunee lighthouse. (I live 2 miles from Kewaunee, 12 miles from Algoma.)
This was one of several nice shots I got from Kewaunee last Saturday. Winds have been gusty and the seas were rough. Then next morning – Sunday – I got some nice sunrise photos from Algoma. I’ll be posting some of those soon.
Beaming Breakthrough
The sunbeams breaking through the cloud cover made this a magical morning in August of 2011. It was a scene that only lasted a few minutes, but I was able to get several good images of the Algoma, WI lighthouse and harbor under this “special effects” lighting.
You can see a larger version of this image if you click on it.
Bathed in Beams
On more than one occasion, I’ve heard or read Algoma, WI has one of the most photographed lighthouses (technically a “pier light”). I always considered it more wishful thinking than fact. But if I just count the number of pictures I’ve personally snapped and posted, I might have misjudged.
This magical scene was captured early on a Sunday morning while on my way to church. (As the pastor, I get to the church hours before the service to prepare.) Since I always have my camera with me, it’s not unusual for me to stop near the harbor and step out to take a few photos of the lighthouse if I see something I like.
On this morning, when I stopped, it was starting to sprinkle and I didn’t want to expose my camera or suit to the rain. So, instead of jumping out, I jumped in…to the backseat of our minivan. I set my tripod and camera up, slid the side door open and snapped away, staying comfortable and dry. As the sun continued to rise and the clouds shifted, changing the angle of the beams, I had jump back to the drivers seat and move my van 3 times.
I posted a B&W photo from the same morning a few days ago, entitled Too Wonderful for Me.
Here’s a panoramic scene, taken just a few minutes later the same morning, when the sunbeams weren’t so intense.
Click on either image to see a larger version.
Gold Rush
Too Wonderful for Me
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I cannot resist photographing. The rise of a morning sun, the set of an evening sun, majestic sunbeams piercing the darkness and the form of a rainbow in the sky. (Pops Digital paraphrase of Proverbs 30:18.)
I captured this image of the Algoma, WI harbor, on the western shore of Lake Michigan, while on my way to prepare for a Sunday morning service at the church where I serve as pastor.
I always have an eye on the sky. As I was driving to Algoma I could see that there might be a worthwhile photo op developing. This is the scene I found when I reached the harbor – just a few blocks from the church.
The sunbeams poured through for about ten minutes. I captured several appealing images and will share more in upcoming posts. Check back often.
You can see a larger version of this image by clicking on it. And, as always, if you enjoy the images you find here, please share them and this site with others.