Charles T. Low Photography

Faithful readers will know these three things:

1. I wake early and
2. love that pre-sunrise light;
3. I would much rather produce transcendent art (to which I only aspire) than to repeat myself endlessly, i.e. I actively do not want one recognizable style.

The ctLow Photography Marketing Department has advised me that Commercial Success in Art occurs more predictably by having a recognizable style, and although I pay these scores of highly-trained people handsomely, I do reply to them, with the deepest of respect, Fie. (Yes, I know it's strong language.) I favour versatility over reproducibility.

(Questions of style notwithstanding, please feel free to look through my portfolio, and pick out something for yourself or as a gift.)

Still, for many decades I have bounded out of bed in the Gloaming Hours, full of vim and occasionally vitality, for reasons unknown to me, and of no concern. I often find it harder to remain awake in the evening.

(Dusk light looks about as beautiful as dawn light, but more people and cars get in my camera's way, which also leads me to prefer dawn.)

So, the question arises:

• do I do dawn-light photography because I awake early, or
• do I awake early to do dawn-light photography?

I think that both happen. I do like that pre-sunrise light, and if, near the Summer Solstice (let's say), I roll over in bed and see 3:45 on the clock, I may say, Oh boy! What an opportunity! (I know that night-owls will find this mysterious.)

So, let's look at what dawn has provided more recently, since my previous blog; also check these two recent blogs (Dawn and Earlier Dawn) on a similar theme.

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Often it works best simply to show up. I like the old photojournalism maxim: f/8 and be there.

This morning, I had not shown up in search of stars, but the stars found me, and I made the necessary adjustments (raised the ISO [thank goodness for digital], opened the aperture), and set to work.

I learned on Instagram from my inspirational photographer-friend David Allan of High Park Photography that no only does the constellation Orion (belt and sword) appear in this image (which faces south-east), but that the belt points to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky.

The image above seems more accessible to me, but the one below looks more as the sky actually appeared. It will seem too dark on many screens (darken the room), but you can trust me when I say that it will print beautifully, and although Ginny would casually mention how much ink she went through (a lot!), she would do her usual outstanding printing.

Readers will also not feel surprised that I return to two recurrent themes (if not styles): ships, and our favourite car.

The photographs above and below occurred post-sunrise, but in style(!) they remain dawn photographs.

The Back Pond, viewed from a small parking area near the Broome-Runciman Dam on Centennial Road, i.e. the less-frequented southern edge, calls me back, and has never appeared the same to me twice. The light changes, and the foliage changes.

Below I show the same view, but with much less of a telephoto effect.

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The Dawning of an Old Age

Thank you all so much for viewing and reading.

You will notice that I have not discussed the technicalities or characteristics of dawn light vs. other lights. Some other time perhaps; feel free to inquire.

Now feel free also to do more viewing and shopping.

Kindly consider letting me know if you have a property with a view — I would love an invitation to photograph there. Thanks to those who have offered to date.

Kindly let me know if you have a view or a possession (building, car ...) which you would like me to photograph for you.

For those of you not yet subscribed to this blog, sign up here. Kindly refer a friend.

I would love to hear from you.

Charles T. Low
Photographer
Blog #71
2021-09-19

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