What A Great Way To Start The Day
Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON
It's always good to keep an eye on the sky - because you never know when you'll get a dramatic sight. And the thing about photographing a great sky is that you have to be really quick, because the subtleties of light change so swiftly.
Last weekend I was up early and noticed some scattered cloud across the east. The sky was lightening and it was still several minutes from sunrise, so I made myself a cup of tea and savoured it. You can take the boy from Darjeeling but you can't take Darjeeling from the boy - I always drink normal tea, rather than the blended tea flavours that are so popular.
After I put the cup down, I picked up my camera, put on a jacket (this is our winter, remember?) and walked outside. Sure enough, in a few minutes, it was as if someone had daubed the freezing winter sky with a flamethrower.
I always like getting a few silhouettes into a sky shot, because I find they provide great value. Rather than detracting from the overall image, I always find they add something to the shot because they give you some idea of perspective. I used a roof line and trees to frame these shots and in about five minutes, the colours had vanished completely.
The rest of the day was grey and cloudy and gusty - but I was so very privileged to see the way it started out.
For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch Friday.
Beautiful sunrise! And Darjeeling is probably my favorite!
ReplyDeleteWOW! great photos
ReplyDeleteGorgeous, David! I'm finding it hard to believe they are sunrises. I'm more used to seeing those colors at sunset. Maybe I should be getting up earlier. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers!
WOW.ZA. I adore how the tree frames the mad sky on that last shot. Spec.tac.u.lar.
ReplyDeletefantastic colours - time I think to go and make a pot of Earl Grey!
ReplyDeleteRich colors, David. Like thick cream on coffee. I like these photos.
ReplyDeletevery rich colors! nice!
ReplyDeleteMy Sky Watch Friday posts
David: So very nicely done with such a colorful Sky.
ReplyDeleteAnother incredibly beautiful post. By the way, I'm late with ABC Wednesday comments - so check for mine on yours.
ReplyDeleteVery lovely. How fortunate we are to live on a planet that offers us such natural wonders to enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLovely shots:) I wonder if the sky was like this every morning...would I get tired of it??I live in a cite that is well known for all the rain. Here in Bergen (Norway) we would die for more sunset like this;)
ReplyDeletePetunia's SWF
These are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI envy you your skies, I really do. Love the overhanging branches in the last shot. The contrast is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI could look at that all day. Thanks for capturing this moment, David. I think it is another one of your great "watercolors"!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should start looking forward to winter? I get the best morning shots then anyhow.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
I can't say that our winter mornings ever looked this vibrant.. how gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYou're right about the silhouettes. This is a fantastically dramatic sky. Sunrise is the best time of day!
ReplyDeleteStunning shots, fantastic colors, great silhouettes and perspectives.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the sky is on fire.
Well done.
David, thanks again for including me on your P.O.T.D. I am honored to be in such good company here.
Have a nice weekend.
It is well known that we Portuguese once sailed the seven seas searching for new lands, wealth and adventures.
ReplyDeleteWe were brave in those days and gave the world new worlds!
Luckily I don’t have to sail the big oceans on a small ship to sea the wonders of our world …
No Sir, I just need to check with Mr. Tom, the finest host there is, for a trip around the world with SKY WATCH TOURS and with a click here, a click there I am quickly in the USA, England, Brazil, Italy, China, Australia, Finland … well, everywhere.
And on each stop I come to see a little marvel of our world under a great sky!
Hope you can come and see my piece of the sky at lenses & visions
What an amazing sky!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunrise pictures!! Such an amazing sky!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful nice have good weekend
ReplyDeleteThere you are my favourite Australian !! Nice picture as usual in your blog, and I can see that you still have the light in your eyes... (same picture of course... silly mee....blond you know...)
ReplyDeleteNice weekend wish to you from Norway.
Exquisite David... thats of course you picture not you ha!..... well perhaps a bit then.. :O)
ReplyDeleteDavid that is MAGNIFICENT!!
ReplyDeleteI love sunsets, and I caught one on camera like that not too long ago. I have never seen a sunrise lie that though. What a sky. And, to be fair, not much of the sky I saw looked on fire. It had that effect if I zoomed in. Not all the sky was like that. This shot is awesome.
I am really excited because this week I have joined Sky Watch. I know you are really really busy but I would sooo appreciate you having a look at my post when you can. And everybody else who reads this of course - the more advice and opinion, positive or negative, the better! All adds to the learning curve.
Naturally, I love positive stuff.... ;0)
Wow, that's absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing shots.
WOW!!! so intense. I love these, David! You have done it again.
ReplyDeleteGod was enjoying the autumn colors in His great palette today! Thanks for sharing this gorgeous shot with us.
ReplyDeletePeace - D
Wow...I have NEVER seen a sunrise like that! It looks like the sky is on fire, but in a beautiful way. Absolutely brilliant!
ReplyDeleteThese are simply glorious each one. I do like the silhouettes and they add so much...
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
These are gorgeous, David. They almost look surreal.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDeleteStunning shots!
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots i love those kind of photos.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to get a shot of the sun that has been on fire, but i guess i just don't have the right kind of camera. Shame too cause its on fire.
Those oranges are gorgouous. What vibrant colors.
ReplyDeleteA priviledge, yes, these times.
ReplyDeleteThese shots almost make me want to get up early tomorrow morning...emphasis on the "almost."
ReplyDeleteWow wow and wow! First thought: Bush fire!!!! Just gorgeous. And thanks too, for the post of the day award for Hunter Gatherer!
ReplyDeleteEven *I* might arise early for a sunrise like that! Magnificent sky (have never seen the like); superb photos!
ReplyDeletewow, I would have said that looked like a forest fire--isn't it great that we have skywatch to help us notice all this beauty
ReplyDeleteA magnificent sunrise, and truly a wonderful way to start your day. Beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteSpectacular David. Glad you got up for that Darjeeling. Pappy
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a firey skyline...hard to believe no flames are involved. It's beautifully scary
ReplyDeleteSandi
Hot? Plain tea.
ReplyDeleteCold? Plain tea, occasionally with a spring of mint.
Photos -- awesome.
The photos seem out of this world! Really great! And a cup of Darjeeling....... what could be better!
ReplyDeleteDelightful images David. Quite stunning.
ReplyDeleteShame the rest of the day wasn't as colourful.
Gary
Bodge's Bulletin
another fantastic set for sw. amazing colors
ReplyDeleteDavid that is absolutely stunning, and I love how you framed the third shot. Breathtaking. What a fantastic way to start a day.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, fantastic colours!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful ... breathtaking photos! Thanks for sharing. I've joined Sky Watch for the first time this week at Small Reflections with a view from my front patio.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings,
Fantastic all. The elements in the last shot are spectacular!
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