Thursday, April 28, 2011

Travel Photo Thursday : April 28th.

Sunsets are when a countryside comes alive. Colours deepen, shadows stretch across the valleys and hills bringing them out into deeper contrast, and a contemplative peace settles upon the land. A bland, bare country scene can take on a whole new life as the sun drops lower.

The traveller knows this, and sits and waits, camera ready....

We love sunset or sunrise photos! Here's several photos of the same scene taken at Didema Lodge, Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa, 2009 with my Canon SX10IS shooting at about 7MPS.

As the sun dropped we sat outside our lodge watching the colours change.  I tried different settings to get different effects  and the often cloud obscured sun gave varying results.  Pic number 4 was shot on 'Nightscene" to bring out that sepia look.





And the final shot, the highlighted colours and deep shadows, was when the sun rose next morning. Colours had deepened dramatically.








On Budget Travelers Sandbox , Nancie has a great photo of her hometown, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Follow the link and take a peek and then follow a lot of other travellers posting up their most interesting travel photos!
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26 comments:

Muza-chan said...

Beautiful... I love sunset or sunrise photos too...

RyukyuMike said...

Good demonstration you've shared here on sunset-shooting techniques and I favor the last shot, too!

Laurel said...

Sunsets and mountains, 2 of my favorite things and so beautiful when combined together.

thepinaysolobackpacker said...

awst! i miss visiting your page guys as I'm on the road.
I love sunset and sunrise photos too, and this is special because they were taken on the same exact location and your technique made them look like they we're taken on different time of the day. Excellent Jim! =)

Mary Hudak-Collins livingthescripture.com said...

The photos are great Jim, but being a sunset/sunrise gal myself, the last one is my favorite :)

Finding One's Way said...

Jim,
Once again beautiful pictures and another wonderful adventure.
xoxo
Jessica

Nan said...

Great set of shots Jim. It's always interesting to test out different setting. Sometimes the results can be surprising!

Thanks for posting to Travel Photo Thursday.

Evan said...

The colors on your last shot are amazing.

S. Susan Deborah said...

I am quite partial to sunrise/sunset myself but I just cannot take a camera and capture it. I fear that the moment will pass by when I tamper it with my camera.

Joy always,
Susan Deborah

Alpana Jaiswal said...

No matter where in the world we are, or how often we see a beautiful sunrise or sunset, we always appreciate the glorious spectacle. Clouds scattered on the horizon add to the splendor as the setting sun bathes them in colorful splashes of violet, red, orange, pink, and yellow.

I love looking at sunrises and sunsets. I think they are beautiful and no two are ever alike. I think that in itself is amazing!Beautiful pictures...Jim

JIM said...

Very nice Jim.. it is always interesting to play with your controls...personally I like the last one


http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/04/life-cycle-of-magnolia-flower-in.html

Leigh said...

I think we both share a love of Africa - and of sunsets. What a lovely set of shots. It's always interesting to see what a few seconds or minutes difference the light can make. Is that odd shaped affair your room at the lodge?

nutschell said...

What beautiful pictures! you're blessed to be able to travel a lot.
Great meeting you through the A-Z!

nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

wandering educators said...

how beautiful! that morning shot - stupendous.

Michael Figueiredo (StruxTravel) said...

I love that you took photos of the same subject at different times of the day. Very cool! I put up a sunset shot today too!

Jim said...

Hi Leigh, Yes that is a lodge chalet. I should do a full post on Didema Lodge as they are architecturally interestingly designed. Beautiful setting backdropped by the Drakensbergs.

And thanks for your comments everyone. We were fascinated by the scene changes going on across the valley and sat outside to watch the sun setting. It was a very cool cloudy day so the sunset photos do not show the sun at all. But the morning scene was so rich in colour you could almost believe we'd been transported to another place. Those photos example how different light can change the colours of the land.

Jade said...

wow- I love this effect and the last photo doesn't even look like the same place! The sun gave everything a burnt glow!

Nelieta said...

Beautiful! Amazing how the colours come alive!

Ravenmyth said...

I agree...love the sunset shot. There is a magic that takes place. Other aspects of the setting sun while in nature are the changes in the smells...this is when nature releases those amazing scents of the night...I love photography and use it in my own blog to inspire...and I love Travel...I am now a follower...if you choose, check out my blog at ravenmyth.blogspot.com

Jorie Pacli said...

My fave is the last shot Jimshu..:)I could have myself transported to that place now in my dream. Lovely shots as always... It's always a pleasure to sit and wait, marvel at the sunsets with your camera ready in hand and enjoy the beautiful scenery right before your eyes... Thanks for sharing...:)

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

Beautiful series of photos! The sunrise is stunning!! The colors are so rich.

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

What a beautiful series! I especially like the sunrise - the colors are so rich. Wonderful photography!

Cathy Sweeney said...

Very cool shots, Jim. Love how you showed the transitions. And then that awesome sunrise shot! Very nice!

Haddock said...

Lovely.
What a transformation.

lakwatsera de primera said...

I love the last image Jim, the rusty hue effect of the light on the landscape evokes some nostalgic kind of feeling for me. (Glad to have finally caught up with your blog again :)

sheril benedict said...

Superb sunset n sunrise !!