Sunrise from Presque Isle, Marquette, MI

Sunrise No. 1,046 of 1,600+

  • Sunrise time: 7:46
  • Azimuth: 115°
  • Did the sun rise: Yes
  • Was the sun visible: Eventually

Weather

  • Felt like: 34 ºF
  • Air Temp: 43 ºF
  • Humidity: 79%
  • Wind: 23 mph
  • Wind gust: 28 mph

Exposure

  • 85mm
  • f/6.3
  • 0.4 sec
  • 100

Location

Presque Isle, Marquette, MI

1.9 mile commute

📍 46° 34' 48" N, -87° 22' 51" W

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Musings [186 words]

As this project has evolved, it’s been reinforced that it’s not about the photos. They are the tangible takeaway to document that on this time, in this place, I was there. A token to remind me of a moment in nature.

Lately, where the photography has become of more importance is showcasing the evolution of the morning.

To me, an idyllic sunrise is one that is dynamic, and changing by the minute.

This first photo was taken at 7:35AM, eleven minutes before sunrise.

Waves on Marquette Breakwall

This second photo was taken 39 minutes later at 8:14AM, 28 minutes after sunrise.

Golden Hour in Marquette Michigan

Between the two photos is a subtle gradient of colors changing by the minute, something that can’t be captured in a single photo. And something that, in person, is hard to detect. This one clearly finished drastically different than it began. But on the more subtle mornings, it’s a change you can’t detect unless you have the before and after photos.

I’ll admit it’s not often for me, especially the longer the project goes on, but a proper experience of sunrise includes 30 minutes pre-sunrise and 30 minutes post-sunrise.

Outtakes

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This is the epitome of a difficult sunrise edit.

I’m in love with several of the photos from this morning. And the way the morning evolved with the clouds and sunlight was incredible, and the waves, the waves!

The winning photos looks gloomy, like the sun was never going to shine. Seeing only this photo, I wouldn’t even have guessed what it would become in the later outtakes.

This winning composition is fully of interest to me. I’ve really enjoyed taking photos of big waves with a 1/2 second exposure. There are so many peaks and valleys in these waves. I like that in this composition, the light is active on the breakwall light. And I especially love the subtle birds, just above the breakwall. Blury from the long exposure, they were on and off the breakwall all morning between trying to rest and avoiding the waves.