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Photo Challenge

Early Bird

For this week’s photo challenge, get up early and explore the morning light.

Sunrise over Kauai. Photo by Brie Anne Demkiw.

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For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a morning person. From early childhood I was up with the sun, and it always came naturally to me.

It wasn’t until several years ago, when I began taking photography more seriously, that I realized the benefits that waking early had on my photos.

Photographers like to talk about the “golden hour” — usually referring to the hour before sunset — but almost everyone overlooks the early morning. I love sunsets as much as the next photographer, but I began to recognize a pattern: many of my best photos were taken early.

Sunrise over Kauai. Photo by Brie Anne Demkiw.

Sunrise over Kauai. Photo by Brie Anne Demkiw.

Whether it’s an unforgettable sunrise, that warm glow that only comes from early morning light, or just the lack of other people walking through your shot, early birding can pay real dividends in your photographs.

For more inspiration, check out our previous Photo Challenge posts on Quality of Light and The Golden Hour.

This week (and especially if you’re among those who find the early bird concept cringe-worthy), I encourage you to set your alarm for the early hours, grab your first (several) cups of coffee, and challenge yourself to capture an outstanding photograph in the early morning light.

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  14. That’s a wonderful photograph. The light and colours are stunning. I have always been an early riser and I agree with you that the morning light can be amazing. It maybe doesn’t always have the drama of a sunset but its a lovely light all the same.

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