Day 193 of 366 – A Quiet Display at Gerroa Beach

An Early Start Shrouded in Starlight:

My day began in the pre-dawn hours under a sky so clear, the stars themselves lit the landscape. At 3:30 AM, while attending to the milking, I was enveloped in an astronomical display that few have the fortune to witness. Yet, tethered to my responsibilities, I could only steal glances between tasks, storing the celestial wonder in memory rather than on my camera’s sensor.

Anticipating the Sunset:

As the day's work wore on, my anticipation for the evening's potential grew. The weather seemed promising, suggesting a vibrant sunset might grace the horizon. With hopes high, I made my way to Gerroa, a place known for its picturesque views and serene beachscapes, aiming to capture whatever spectacle nature decided to unveil.

The Photography Session:

Upon arrival, the sunset proved to be more muted than expected. Instead of bold oranges and reds, the sky was a palette of soft pastels framed by dramatic clouds and a gentle sea mist that softened the distant views. I began the shoot with my long lens, capturing the subtleties of the clouds’ movement and the faint colours wof the dusk at 100mm, trying to grasp the essence of the tranquil scene before me.

Switching to a 24mm lens, I sought to capture the breadth of the landscape, but it was the initial intimate shots that truly spoke to the evening’s quiet mood. These images, taken from a distance, encapsulated the sombre yet beautiful end to the day.

Post-Processing Discovery:

Back home, while editing, a particular image composed of multiple shots taken with the 100-400mm lens stood out. Stitched together into a panorama, this image captured not just the visual serenity but also the expansive scale of Gerroa’s evening sky. This final composition highlighted the vast, quiet drama of the evening—a subtle yet stirring view that the wider shots could not fully communicate.

Reflections on Creativity and Routine:

Today was a reminder that creativity doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it’s a quiet whisper, not in the blazing sunsets but in the subtle interplay of light and shadow, cloud and sea. Each photograph I take is a lesson in seeing, a way to practice presence in the moment and find beauty in whatever form it appears.