Pointing at the Sun

[Jens Peermann]

One of my recent posts is titled "Pointing at the Moon". So here is "Pointing at the Sun", to create some balance.

From a previous shoot at this location - Aguereberry Point, Death Valley - I liked the way those foreground rocks point into the scene and I wanted to use them here again. I had no idea they would be be pointing straight at the rising sun, and I'm very happy they do. I illuminated them slightly with an LED light attached to my forehead, shaking the head during exposure for even illumination. I find the effect quite natural, not as obvious as it would have been by using a flash on the camera.

This is the sunrise I was waiting for when I took the image "Waiting for Sunrise", also posted here.

Sony A7, 28/2 ZE @ f/16 (I extremely rarely use that aperture, but did it here to help with the sunburst)

[Peter McLennan]

Nicely done, Jens.  Perfect timing and perfect balance with your LED fill light. 

That's a great location, eh?  The camera's looking directly at another favourite location: Dante's View.  It's fun to visit both sites on the same day.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Nicely done, Jens.  Perfect timing and perfect balance with your LED fill light. 

I must agree. It looks quite natural and convincing.

Somehow it didn't look that magical when I was there (in mid-day).   

[maddogmurph]

Sun looks bleached out to me. But then I know how challenging it can be to shoot into direct light like this.

[Paulo Bizarro]

Great light.

[Bob_B]

Strong composition, and the texture in the foreground rocks is fascinating. Thanks for posting.

[Mjollnir]

Great shot from a tough-to-shoot place.

Your patience is clearly visible in the results.

[Jeremy Roussak]

I like it, but I find the light unsettling. Your head torch has made the near side of the near rocks lighter than that of the far ones, which is peculiar.

Jeremy