The early bird…
Lucy Masters explains why sunrise is her favourite time of day
Living close to Chew Valley Lake in Somerset means
I am lucky enough to have an ever-changing subject on my doorstep. Getting out to the lake for a summer sunrise requires planning and preparation, but the pay-off can be some beautiful atmospheric shots. The light can be incredible at Chew Valley Lake whether it’s summer or winter, but a lot depends on visibility. Mist can create atmospheric shots, usually in the winter, while summer can mean crystal-clear mornings. Sunrise can bring some breathtaking lighting, especially with some cloud cover, and there will be a higher dynamic range in your photos for post-processing work.
Taking photos of a lake means you are likely to have wildlife around. I can nearly always guarantee there will be either gulls swooping in the sky, to add some movement to a photo; or swans, which can add a real element of tranquillity. If nothing else, you have spent some time in nature at the most peaceful part of the day. www.photographsofthechewvalley.com
1 Warm colours
The ‘golden hour’ usually brings warmth to a photo, but sunrise can mean cooler colours than sunset. Check your white balance is set to Cloudy or Shady, as this will bring warmth. Shooting in raw means you have options if you want to post-process.
2 Minimalism
Simplicity is key when it comes to taking minimalist photos. Think about the composition and ensure that you have some empty space. Use simple lines and contrasting colours. Look for lone subjects: try finding an isolated tree or animal, and compose it with uncluttered sky, water or land.
3 Shooting mist
In late summer, start checking the forecast: cool and clear nights often result in mist over bodies of water. The higher up you are, the better-placed you are to get an effective shot. Use a tripod due to the low light. Increase exposure by one stop: bright mist can trick the camera into thinking it needs to underexpose.
4 Early mornings
Be prepared! Find out what time sunrise is, set your alarm and get to your location at least 60 minutes before sunrise. Pack your bag the night before.
5 Distant objects
After setting your camera on a tripod, turn on Live View, and turn off image stabilisation. Select manual focus and find the object to focus on (ideally one third of the way into the image). Set ISO to 100 and choose an aperture around f/8 to f/16. Use a shutter release cable to reduce camera shake.