A powerful December sunset smolders deep. Burning yellow, orange red flame reflected atop the derelict ruins of Rands Marina. The entire Great Bay Boulevard Wildlife Management Area salt marsh burns bright as colder temperatures and winter weather approach. Cards on the table this is my best sunset photograph in five years.
Welcome to my sunset photography archive
Here's my complete archive of sunset photography. Most photographs are here made in southern Ocean County, New Jersey. Let us share the beauty of New Jersey's coastline, salt marsh, and Pinelands forest. Some of my favorite sunsets include Ruinous Splendor, We Face the Path of Time, and Still the Sirens Call. Now get out there and chase some light!
From Solitude
A life in solitude may yet be a life well lived. Trials and tribulations shape the isolated travelers journey through this life. In solitude exploration and self discovery take place. A chance to uncover who we are and what we’re all about. His is the path of solitude.
The Winter Look
The winter sunset, man. My favorite photograph to make. A holy ember unique unto herself in the pantheon of seasonal sunsets. The depth and vibrancy of color coupled with a singular clarity to the air creates the perfect environment for striking cloud colors. These are cold moments made to leave you breathless.
Intersections
Where does the writing go when you set out with nary an end nor a goalpost. How does it flow? Set out on The Union Market deck I let my mind snake its way through the labyrinth at the tip of ten fingers. Is this how one gets into creative writing?
In My Own Time
We find help for our mind, body, and soul in many places. Some planned and intention, others serendipitous and seemingly sent by coincidence if not fate. It is important to avail ourselves to help, especially in the times it is most difficult to do so. And no matter how hard it gets we can always come back to our breath. It’s the one thing nothing but death can take from us.
Plebs Will Out
This democratization of technology has taken photography from a cloistered craft of the few into a pastime of the many. The equalization of this skill makes us all richer. Smartphones have become the great leveler, bringing high quality picture making devices to so many. This has allowed experimentation and practice by people in places who otherwise would have had no chance to learn the trade.
Distortion
As humans we invest significant time and thought in self discovery. In so doing we present ourselves to the world as what we think the world thinks we are. It’s a trap. This dissonance stunts self discovery and leaves us mired in an inescapable loop.
Exposed
I’ve demonstrated some modicum of skill with photography, flat horizon sunset photography in particular. And yet it is not enough. It’s no longer getting it done for me. It all feels like a wash, rinse, repeat exercise in both futility and repetition. Like eating the same dry piece of toast each morning with the same familiar disdain of a routine unwanted.
I Knew You When
Leave it to a sunset to bring pause to a racing mind. A pause long enough to strike the muse and leave the photographer trying about lines of poetry. The result may not be great, but the effort is always worthwhile.
To Sparkle in Your Eyes
Sometimes what we need is a little push out the door. A small dose of unexpected encouragement to get us off the couch, literally. Jon Carr provided said encouragement when he reached out to let me know 4 September’s sunset meant business. Thanks to my friend I got out and got this shot.
