Ripple Sunrise, Bandon, Oregon: Photography Composition Tips and Techniques

Ripple Sunrise, Bandon, Ore - Photo by Jay Moore

My Story Behind The Image

Waking before dawn along the Oregon Coast for sunrise is always special. The sand under your feet is fresh, as the tide has washed away all the footprints from the previous day under the cover of night. And it's always a great morning when your eyes and mind get the opportunity to stare into the mesmerizing sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean's waves crashing upon the rugged shoreline, while your body soaks up the wet, sea-salt air as it breezes through you and delicately leaves its salt residue upon your soul.

Many of you know (either as Oregonian's or people who have visited), scene’s like this one, on any morning, might mean the absent of the sun and its light; as the lush, green state of Oregon and its coastline has many overcast mornings. So, when you wake and find that the clouds are parting and the brightness of the sun’s rays will be beaming its gorgeous tones upon the rock croppings of Bandon’s pristine beach line, you're giddy like a child. You smile at the rocks. You skip in the sand. You talk to the waves. And hope that something, anything can hear and share this beautiful moment in time with you. And although there wasn’t a physical person along the shore on this morning, I felt like the souls who have gone before me where near as I was squatting within in the wetness of the beautiful textures of the sand ripples left behind by that overnight tide.

My Technique/Tips For Photographing Sunrise

Getting Ready for the Sunrise

Preparing for a sunrise shoot begins well before the sun rises. Sometimes the night before and sometimes days, weeks or even months before the moment. Researching the exact time of sunrise is crucial. Try an app for exact morning sunrise for the days that you'll be in Bandon and then plan to arrive at least 60 minutes before that so you can scout the area and find the best spots. The dramatic rock formations dotting the coastline provide numerous opportunities for stunning shots.

Composition, Composition, Composition

Is that clear enough? You always have to be thinking ahead about how to frame your shots, as even then best sunrises can be ruined with bad composition.

Experimenting with angles is also important. During my shoot, I switched between eye-level and low angles. For example, in the image above I'm low to the sand to help emphasize the ripples in the sand and let the viewers eyes wonder up into the rock cropping and beautiful light and clouds above it.

Utilizing Natural Light

The beauty of landscape photography—especially at sunrise—lies in the ever-changing natural light. The golden hour offers the warmth of tones and soft shadows that are essential for stunning photographs.

Clouds always enhance your images by adding depth and texture. In the image above, the puffy clouds painted the sky in a breathtaking display of colors.

Reflections on the Experience

Every sunrise offers a unique spectacle, and capturing the perfect moment requires both creativity and patience. By planning your shoot in advance, mastering composition, and utilizing the natural light wisely, you can significantly elevate your photography and turn a sunrise scene from just okay into a portfolio image that can hang on your walls.

I love Bandon, Oregon as it's one of my favorite places on earth. And I always look forward to heading back to this magical place.

Oregon Photography Workshop Adventure

Interested in visiting Bandon on a photography adaventure to see and photograph this amazing place? Consider joining my upcoming Oregon Photography Workshop Adventure. Click the link below for more details.

Oregon Photography Workshop Adventure

Purchase A Print of Ripple Sunrise, Bandon Oregon

If you're interested in the image above, CLICK THE LINK BELOW to purchase a print. Limited Edition, Museum Grade Acrylic Prints are also available. If you don't see this particular scene in that portfolio on my website, email me and I'll open up this series for you.

Ripple Sunrise, Bandon Ore - PRINTS

Above The Clouds; Mt Adams

Above The Clouds, Mt Adams - Photo by Jay Moore

My Story Behind This Image

Minutes turned to hours, those hours turned to dawn … And when the sun rays popped on the tops of the clouds with Mt. Adams in the distance, I was very emotional. And very grateful to still be standing near the top of the mountain to witness such a beautiful sunrise. But, I almost didn’t see it. I almost wasn’t there to capture this beautiful moment. Let me start at the beginning. And try to explain.

A few hours earlier, after finishing photographing the Milky Way near the top of Mount Rainier, worry and doubt crept into my mind during the darkest part of the night. I sat alone against a large boulder to help protect me from the cold mountain wind. That doubt and worry grew and started taking over my thoughts. Just give up, it said. Get off the mountain. Hike back down. You shouldn’t be up here. It's too cold. Too windy. Bears will eat you for a midnight snack. The glacier above you is going to crack off and crush you. It was a heavy, negative force and I eventually gave into that darkness.

I started hiking back down the mountain in the middle of the night. But, after about 1/2 mile down, I came upon a small meadow with a babbling brook and a sense of calmness overcame the doubt and my thoughts turned to my family. My wife and daughters and their glow of love began growing inside of me, pushing away all the darkness. The feeling that they were with me, rooting for me to stay on the side of the mountain. Cheering for me not to give up. So, I listened. I stopped and pushed doubt and worry aside and gazed upon the nature that surrounded me. Its beauty, just vailed in the darkness, was patiently waiting for the morning light. So, I decided to do the same. And I laid down on the path and waited. Gazing up at the endless sky of stars above me and those few minutes eventually turned to dawn with me standing on the mountain side, capturing one of the most spectacular moments that I’d ever witnessed with my own eyes.

Final Thoughts

I really don't have any techniques with this image on how to capture a scene like this. It's more about understanding that you might encounter a series of trials and tribulations when you're in the field photographing nature. And the one that that I can offer you is a reminder to keep going. Because most likely a bear is NOT going to eat you for a midnight snack. And yes, you most likely will get very little to no sleep, but who cares because eventually you'll be sleeping in your own soft bed, comfortable and worry free. But, that light ... That view ... That moment ... It will be gone. Gone forever. So, don't listen to that doubt and worry and grab your camera and head to the mountains.

If you're interested in the image above, Click the link below to purchase a print. Limited Edition, Museum Grade Acrylic Prints are available. If you don't see this particular scene in that folder, email me and I'll open up this series for you.

Above The Clouds, Mt Adams - Prints

Photographing Mt Hood and Trillium Lake at Sunrise

Mt Hood Sunrise, Trillium Lake - Photo by Jay Moore

My Story Behind This Image

On this morning on the waters edge of Trillium Lake, I set up in front of a couple of larger boulders to help give some interest to the foreground and welcome the viewer into the scene. I'd been photographing the reflection of the mountain since before the sun first rose, when two folks arrived to put in their canoe for their morning adventure. So, instead of packing up my tripod and gear, I waited it out and as they launched into the water, I snapped away, capturing them breaking the glass reflection on the lake with some calming ripples.       

As a side note, this capture is another reminder to me to always work together with the people who are with you on your photography outings, as this lake and/or any location is not yours just because you get there first. I greeted these two as they unloaded their gear and even though I knew they were going to break the perfectly glass-like water, I was okay with it as I had been photographing the scene for quite a while at that point. But, then they apologies and I could tell that they felt sort of bad that they were going to create ripples within the water and my shot. I responded with, "Not a problem, go have fun” … However, I worked with them and then asked them if they could do me a favor. If they could start off by rowing directly at Mt Hood … They did, and it helped finish off this image and gave me a strong mid-ground element that balances well with the reflection of the mountain. 

My Techniques / Tips Behind This Image

Preparing for the Perfect Shot

1. Arrival Time: Preparation is critical when you're out in the field photographing nature. Always arrive at your location early so you have time to set up your gear and understand the area. My goal is to be on-site at least 1-hour before sunrise. This time allows you to scout potential shooting spots and study the layout of the landscape, particularly the sun's angle as it rises.

   
   

2. Apps: Download an App to your phone to know exactly where the sun will rise. I use PhotoPills. It's also very helpful when photographing the stars and Milkyway.

   
   

3. Tripod: Working on a sturdy tripod is essential. It stabilizes your camera during long exposures, which are often necessary to capture the sunrise. Sometimes my shutter can be 1 or 2 seconds long during a sunrise. And if I want motion in the clouds, I might even have a 10-stop ND filter on and be taking 30-second exposure.

Tips for Photographing Sunrise

Capturing the beauty of sunrise is always one of my favorite things to do in the field. It tends to be quieter and there is something special about that moment when the light finally pops onto the scene. Here are a few tips:

1. Golden Hour Timing: The golden hour occurs just before sunrise, offering soft and warm light. Be set up and ready at least 1-hour prior to sunrise. This way you're ready if there is a burst of color on the clouds overhead.

   
   

2. Foreground Interest: Always try and find elements like rocks, trees, or the lake itself to help add depth to your images. In the image above, I used a set of large boulders on the waters edge to help give interest to the foreground, while also helping direct the viewers eye toward the mountain.

   
   

3. Adjust Your Settings: Always try and use a low ISO to minimize noise. A smaller aperture between f/8 and f/13 will help keep the entire image in sharp focus. Depending on what you're photographing, your shutter speed can then be determined. In the image above, I had to adjust my settings after the people got into the water, to make sure I had a faster shutter so the people in the canoe and the ripples turned out sharp.

   
   

Tips on Photographing Reflections

Trillium Lake is famous for its beautiful reflections of Mt Hood, especially during sunrise. Here are a few tips on how to capture reflections effectively:

1. Find the Right Angle: Position yourself at the lake’s edge for the clearest reflections. This way you can fill your foreground with the water and potential reflection.

   
   

2. Be Mindful of Wind: Calm conditions create the best reflections. The best time to capture the reflection at Trillium Lake is during the sunrise, as there tends to be less wind in the morning hours versus sunset.

   
   

3. Composition is Key: Pay attention to how elements are arranged in your shot. While sometimes I feel that a centered reflection make for solid images, experimenting with off-center compositions can yield unique perspectives. Like in the image above, I shifted Mt Hood to the top of the frame, giving the reflection the center area of the scene.

   
   

Final Thoughts

If you find yourself in this breathtaking region of the Pacific Northwest, I urge you to take the trip up to Trillium Lake for a morning sunrise. Not only will you have a beautiful view of the mountain for the morning light, but you'll also get the opportunity for a tranquil moment in nature, as you might be one of the only people there enjoying the scene.

Oregon Photography Workshop Adventure

Interested in visiting Mt Hood on a photography adaventure to see and photograph this amazing place? Consider joining my upcoming Oregon Photography Workshop Adventure. Click the link below for more details.

Oregon Photography Workshop Adventure

Purchase A Print of Mt Hood Sunrise, Trillium Lake

If you're interested in the image above, CLICK THE LINK BELOW to purchase a print. Limited Edition, Museum Grade Acrylic Prints are also available. If you don't see this particular scene in that portfolio on my website, email me and I'll open up this series for you.

Mt Hood Sunrise Trillium Lake - Prints