Nikon D850
Sigma 24-105mm f/4 at 32mm
1/30 sec. f/16 ISO 64
March 12, 2021 6:30am
✨ published to Landscape Photography Magazine
You can view it here: https://landscapephotographymagazine.com/2021/bodie-island-lighthouse-nags-head-dare-county-nc-usa/
As a child, I grew up vacationing at the Outer Banks of North Carolina and I have many fond memories of that unique shoreline. When I learned that a photographer friend of mine would be hosting a workshop there, I was super excited to join them. Once again, the location did not disappoint, and I came away with some lovely images.
We began our workshop that first evening at the Bodie Island lighthouse nearby on the island of Nags Head and managed to catch some nice light for sunset. Early the next morning, we returned to Bodie Lighthouse to photograph the Milky Way as it passed behind the lighthouse. That was my first time trying astrophotography and it was a thrilling experience.
As the first rays of light started to make their appearance in the sky, we all moved further out away from the lighthouse to find a new composition for sunrise. Many of the photographers in the group were shooting the sunrise out over the sound but I was drawn in by the wooden walkway leading to the lighthouse. I set up my tripod, framed up my shot using the walkway as my leading line and waited, somewhat impatiently, for the clouds to inch their way behind the lighthouse to fill in my sky. Just as the clouds got into position, the sun broke the horizon to the left and lit up the lighthouse with a beautiful golden light. I managed to fire off several frames before the light was gone and I was thrilled with the results when I loaded them into Adobe Lightroom. I love how the windows in the house at the base of the lighthouse appear to be on fire with a glowing yellow light. This image ended up being one of my top favorites from the entire workshop and proves that sometimes it is absolutely worth the wait!
