I originally had another column set to go here today, discussing watermarks.  That column has been shifted to next Monday.  I went to Starbucks yesterday morning for my Sunday routine, meeting several of my friends, as I do every Sunday; after a few of them left, my friend Cathy and I stayed behind for awhile.  After hearing about my sunrise excursion, Cathy suggested I do something a little different with the Monday Photography Column.  I took her advice:

Saturday night, I made a decision to get up Sunday morning at 5.  Wanted to shoot the sunrise from one of Madison Connecticut’s Town Beaches.  When my alarm shrieked out at the appointed time, the only thing I wanted to do was turn off the alarm, roll over and go back to sleep.

But I knew I’d wind up regretting the choice; so I reluctantly swept the covers off and stood up before I changed my mind.  Turned on my kitchen light and had a cup of iced coffee I made the night before.  When 5:15 rolled around, I was out the door.  The windshield on my car was frosted over and as I looked to the East I could see a slight lightening to the sky.  Happily, I had only five minutes to get to where I needed to go.  After my windshield was warmed and scraped, I hopped in my car and drove off.

A short time later I arrived at West Wharf’s Parking lot, stepped out, pulled out my camera and tripod, strolled over to the spot I had in mind.  Oh man!  Was it chilly, my fingers were going numb in just over a minute of being out.  Was I regretting my choice? Wishing I was still tucked in my warm bed at home?

Nahhh!  Once I saw the sky begin to pink and purple, I started shooting.  Here’s one of the first photos I shot:

By the time I left and arrived home my CF Card was filled with over 100 images.  I culled those 100 plus photos to twelve.

Twelve? you ask.

Yup, 12.  That’s the advantage to shooting digital.  You can shoot as long as you have battery and room on your card.

Of course there were more then twelve images that were passable, however the twelve I wound up saving were the best of the 100 plus.  I was shivering by 6:25 and I already had a nice collection of shots.  Was considering packing up and heading home when I turned around and saw the sun begin to peak.

Snapped off a few more shots and was SO happy I decided to stay cold to get the actual sunrise.

Toward the last few shots I took, my thumb was so numb I could hardly feel it as it pressed down on the camera’s shutter button.  The trip to West Wharf, however, was well worth the discomfort at hearing the alarm at 5AM, at losing feeling in my thumb and at being slightly anxious when I stepped out of my condo only to see the sky begin to show the first sign of dawn.  I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t make it to West Wharf in time to set up for the before sunrise photo op.  Alas, there was no need to fear.

Should you want to see the other sunrise photos I shot simply click the link below:
Sunrise West Wharf
Madison, Connecticut

Be Happy!  Be Well!  Be Positive!
Blessings to you.
—
Chris