It was time to put that right 
in 2010 as I tested my Canon 7D at low light once again. It had passed the test after dark on numerous occasions so now I wanted to get my first sunrise shots off my trusty little toy. Out came the tripod, the ND filters, the remote control...oh, and that big warm coat to keep the chill at bay. Having said that, it isn't even Autumn yet so the early morning temperatures aren't too bad compared to later months when Winter properly takes a hold.
in 2010 as I tested my Canon 7D at low light once again. It had passed the test after dark on numerous occasions so now I wanted to get my first sunrise shots off my trusty little toy. Out came the tripod, the ND filters, the remote control...oh, and that big warm coat to keep the chill at bay. Having said that, it isn't even Autumn yet so the early morning temperatures aren't too bad compared to later months when Winter properly takes a hold.The alarm clock went off at 4.45am, but who wants to get out of a warm bed at that time of morning eh. Aye, you've guessed it. A quick wash and a gob full of coffee then it was out of the door and away. The destination was local, very local, and twenty minute drive to the coast of Sunderland saw me parking up near Roker Yacht Club. The north sea was very calm and a mixture of clear sky and cloud cover gave me an indication that it might be a good sunrise. Of course, it was still early as I always set off with plenty of time to spare - there's nothing worse than turning up during a dramatic sunrise/sunset and missing the action by the time you've set your gear up.
The highlights on the horizon 
gave very strong clues as to where the sun was going to rise so it was then a simple case of picking my spot, and a foreground including Roker Lighthouse seemed the best bet all round. Anyway, I headed out onto the rocks to take up position as the incoming tide calmly swirled around my feet. I managed to get onto a concrete ramp but it was rather slippy and I didn't fancy going 'Arse over tit' so I stopped for a second and dropped the legs on my tripod. It comes in handy and doubles up as a walking stick now and again - I think it's known more commonly as improvisation, he he. And it certainly did come in handy, as I needed to get off that ramp quickly because the colours in the sky were now starting to show. I was now walking slowly to a spot just in front of me near the rocks - it was just what I wanted. I was stepping across the rocks that were covered in sea weed but it gave me extra grip, which helped a lot.
gave very strong clues as to where the sun was going to rise so it was then a simple case of picking my spot, and a foreground including Roker Lighthouse seemed the best bet all round. Anyway, I headed out onto the rocks to take up position as the incoming tide calmly swirled around my feet. I managed to get onto a concrete ramp but it was rather slippy and I didn't fancy going 'Arse over tit' so I stopped for a second and dropped the legs on my tripod. It comes in handy and doubles up as a walking stick now and again - I think it's known more commonly as improvisation, he he. And it certainly did come in handy, as I needed to get off that ramp quickly because the colours in the sky were now starting to show. I was now walking slowly to a spot just in front of me near the rocks - it was just what I wanted. I was stepping across the rocks that were covered in sea weed but it gave me extra grip, which helped a lot.So, here I was and my gear was set up as the pinky-red hue in the sky got brighter and more colourful by the minute. Mirror lock, a four second exposure at f16, followed by a remote trip of the shutter and I was up and running. It was a good one alright - a mixture of warm colours with those dark rocks in the foreground. A few night fisherman were in position on Roker Pier in the background, especially near the lighthouse, and were seeing a fine sunrise in front of them.
Once the colours had burned out
it was time for the sun to rise on the horizon behind the pier. I fired off a couple of quick shots before packing up and making the short walk back towards the yacht club. It was near here that I switched lenses, opting for a 70-200mm affair to pull in the subject. The lens was on loan as it happens and I only had use of it for a couple of days so it came in very handy just when I needed it. A small boat headed out into the harbour and was tethered to an anchored sailing boat. A few minutes later the sails were set and it was on the move. This time, facing the bright light of the sun, the camera was hand-held and I was off and running once again, grabbing a few shots of the boat as it left the harbour.
it was time for the sun to rise on the horizon behind the pier. I fired off a couple of quick shots before packing up and making the short walk back towards the yacht club. It was near here that I switched lenses, opting for a 70-200mm affair to pull in the subject. The lens was on loan as it happens and I only had use of it for a couple of days so it came in very handy just when I needed it. A small boat headed out into the harbour and was tethered to an anchored sailing boat. A few minutes later the sails were set and it was on the move. This time, facing the bright light of the sun, the camera was hand-held and I was off and running once again, grabbing a few shots of the boat as it left the harbour. I must have grabbed around fifty shots in total from various positions. Here are some of my favourites from my first sunrise session of 2010. It was great to be back!
Hope you like them.
Thanks for reading,
Ash
