Randy Bell
April 2026 - Ocean Sunrise
About the Image(s)
On a recent trip to the coast, I got up before dawn to try to capture the sunrise. With this photo, I liked the way the first rays of sunshine were hitting the clouds in the upper sky but had not yet reached the shore. I think my initial exposure was underexposed a bit in trying to maintain the color of the light hitting the clouds. With software, I brought up the foreground exposure while trying to keep the color in the sky. Being underexposed, I had to work at the noise reduction in this, as well.
Not sure if I captured the scene as I saw it, but it was very peaceful being there without another person in sight. As always, feedback is welcomed.
I used my Nikon camera with a 85mm lens, f/8, 1/320s and ISO 400. Exposure compensation was set at -2 stops.
6 comments posted
Hi Randy, thank you for sharing this misty sunrise photo! I really like those "sparks" of the first rays of sunshine hitting the clouds in the upper sky-it's a very peaceful and beautiful moment to capture.
The colors you've maintained in the sky are lovely. One suggestion for you to consider: you might try brightening up the middle section of the image slightly (the hills and the shoreline). I think lifting the exposure just a bit in that middle area would help guide the eye from the dark foreground up to those stunning clouds and make the whole scene feel even more balanced.
Great job on the noise reduction, too; it looks very clean! Posted: 04/01/2026 18:08:15
The colors you've maintained in the sky are lovely. One suggestion for you to consider: you might try brightening up the middle section of the image slightly (the hills and the shoreline). I think lifting the exposure just a bit in that middle area would help guide the eye from the dark foreground up to those stunning clouds and make the whole scene feel even more balanced.
Great job on the noise reduction, too; it looks very clean! Posted: 04/01/2026 18:08:15
Hi Randy,
Peaceful morning sky! I would love to walk that coastline. I couldn't think of anything I'd do different, until I read Linda's comments. Then I thought I'd play. I added a linear gradient from the bottom and stopped just short of the clouds. I tried both lifting the midtones (I just learned how to do that so try it all the time) and pushing the exposure up a tad. I am not sure which I did in the end. Not a big difference, and not better, just different. I guess it all depends on what you saw that morning. Posted: 04/01/2026 23:43:59
Peaceful morning sky! I would love to walk that coastline. I couldn't think of anything I'd do different, until I read Linda's comments. Then I thought I'd play. I added a linear gradient from the bottom and stopped just short of the clouds. I tried both lifting the midtones (I just learned how to do that so try it all the time) and pushing the exposure up a tad. I am not sure which I did in the end. Not a big difference, and not better, just different. I guess it all depends on what you saw that morning. Posted: 04/01/2026 23:43:59
Hi Randy,
I can hear and smell this shot -- the crisp air, salty and misty, the waves and fizz of the receding water, gulls and shore birds -- it's a feast!
Frankly -- I think your photo is great as is and I'm tempted to borrow it as my lock screen on my phone.
Thank you! Posted: 04/04/2026 11:15:01
I can hear and smell this shot -- the crisp air, salty and misty, the waves and fizz of the receding water, gulls and shore birds -- it's a feast!
Frankly -- I think your photo is great as is and I'm tempted to borrow it as my lock screen on my phone.
Thank you! Posted: 04/04/2026 11:15:01
Randy, I was immediately transported to that scene.
Before sunrise on the beach, deserted, and the world is simply beautiful in that moment!
The reddish sky, the blue haze over the mountains, and the dark rocks in the foreground. The gradient from dark to light - very well observed and executed - perfectly complements your image. I can also hear the waves crashing on the beach.
If it were my photo, I would crop the bottom a bit; that would balance the composition (one-third landscape and two-thirds sky) and make the image more harmonious overall. I would also add a touch of red and yellow and increase the brightness slightly.
(In Photoshop, I always start with the exposure and then adjust the colors. Often, I like my image better that way.)
Perhaps you'll like it and it will give you some inspiration for further work with the image. Posted: 04/08/2026 15:14:35
Before sunrise on the beach, deserted, and the world is simply beautiful in that moment!
The reddish sky, the blue haze over the mountains, and the dark rocks in the foreground. The gradient from dark to light - very well observed and executed - perfectly complements your image. I can also hear the waves crashing on the beach.
If it were my photo, I would crop the bottom a bit; that would balance the composition (one-third landscape and two-thirds sky) and make the image more harmonious overall. I would also add a touch of red and yellow and increase the brightness slightly.
(In Photoshop, I always start with the exposure and then adjust the colors. Often, I like my image better that way.)
Perhaps you'll like it and it will give you some inspiration for further work with the image. Posted: 04/08/2026 15:14:35
Hi Randy, Love the many shades of blue and the sky's touch of pink. Serenity. Ocean Sunrise truly evokes emotion. I actually like the muted colors..if that's the correct term. It reminds me of morning's stillness.
I'd only add me to the scene :) You certainly captured the peacefulness. Posted: 04/11/2026 23:19:37
I'd only add me to the scene :) You certainly captured the peacefulness. Posted: 04/11/2026 23:19:37
Randy, the early morning light is perfect to reflect this beautiful and serene image. I like the color and pattern of the wet sand caused by the receding ocean waves. The three evenly staggered cliff formations preceded by the dark right corner of the photo leads me to the beautiful pastel colors that can only be seen at this time of day. I think the blue sky with clouds reflecting the early morning light make the progression of dark to light in this image is perfect. I really enjoy this photo and see no reason to change a thing. Very well done. Posted: 04/13/2026 15:40:43