Between daylight and dark, that magical time arriving twice a day no matter where you are around the world. Seemingly created especially for artists and romantics, lovers and dreamers, idealists and philosophers. And everyone else who will pause for a moment or two to revel in nature’s most spectacular twice daily show.
Stone Town, ZanzibarAlleppey, India
Lost, yesterday, somewhere between sunrise and sunset, two golden hours, each set with sixty diamond minutes. No reward is offered for they are gone forever.
___Horace Mann
Halong Bay, VietnamGalapagos Islands, Ecuador
Technically, the golden hour, that period of time just before sunrise and just after sunset, when the sun is close to the horizon and its light is warmer, softer and more diffused. The colors of the clouds can be dramatic. From pale, pastel orange to bright, bold reds and fuchsias.
Havana, CubaSt. Marys, Georgia
There is only one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.
___Jean-Paul Sartre
Cat Island, BahamasNappo River, Amazonia, Ecuador
Sunsets seem to get more attention than sunrises. Could it be that far fewer of us are awake at sunrise.
Salinas, Ecuador
I’m sure that is true in Key West, Florida, where sunsets are celebrated daily. Mallory Square is the site of the nightly festival replete with magicians and sword swallowers, psychics and musicians, artists and food vendors. And, of course, Dominique and his flying house cats.
Sunrises may get less notoriety, but it is not because of the lack of effort. They can be just as spectacular as a sunset. They just have a bad scheduling problem.
River Ganges, Varanasi, IndiaSunrise, Saint James City, Florida
On the darker side of the Golden Hour is the Blue Hour, that twilight time when the sun is below the horizon and the indirect sunlight has a blue hue. The quality of the light can be dramatic and can produce stunning images.
Matlacha, FloridaTampa, Florida
The biggest cliche in photography is sunrise and sunset.
___Catherine Opie
A sentiment I tend to agree with, although I am hopelessly enamored with nature’s show and continue to photograph it.
Sunrise, the bad timing problem. So true! And there is nothing like that brilliant blue following the golden hour! Beautiful collection of photos you posted.
What a gorgeous array of sunrises and sunsets, Ron. Sunrises really do present a scheduling problem, don’t they? They’re beautiful though, when we can force ourselves out of bed to enjoy them. Wonderful!
Fantastic entry Ron, as usual. It’s my opinion that that “twice a day magic time” has been created specially for anyone of us to realize how tiny we are before God and Nature. I think the one from Ganges River contains more between elements; that’s why it’s my favorite!
lynnsarda
22 Jun 2014What a lovely blog entry. Both times evoke such a strong presence. And you have captured it here.
fotograffer
22 Jun 2014Thank you so much Lynn. So much beauty out there if we would just take to time to look.
Kat at travelgardeneat
22 Jun 2014Sunrise, the bad timing problem. So true! And there is nothing like that brilliant blue following the golden hour! Beautiful collection of photos you posted.
fotograffer
22 Jun 2014Like minds… Thanks for your comment and for stopping by.
Stefano Scheda
22 Jun 2014Great shots, Ron! I can’t decide which one is my preferred. 🙂
fotograffer
23 Jun 2014Thanks Stefano. No decisions are required. 🙂
Les Petits Pas de Juls
22 Jun 2014splendid shots! they’re all absolutely gorgeous!
fotograffer
23 Jun 2014Thank you so much and thanks for visiting.
Colline
22 Jun 2014You have shown us such beautiful views.
fotograffer
23 Jun 2014Thank you Colline. I am happy you enjoyed the post.
The Wanderlust Gene
22 Jun 2014The magic of light, Ron – fabulous post.
fotograffer
23 Jun 2014And that’s it, isn’t it? It is all about the light. All the photographer has it do is show up and click. Thanks Meredith,as always.
Tina Schell
22 Jun 2014OK Ron, now you’re just showing off LOL. Each more beautiful than the last, and love that first quote!
fotograffer
23 Jun 2014I’m taking being a show off as a compliment. 🙂 I thought the quote beautiful too. Thanks Tina.
maamej
23 Jun 2014Wow, what a feast you’ve given us today. Especially love the first two and Cat island, but all are lovely.
fotograffer
23 Jun 2014Havana and Cat Island are probably my favorites. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Follygirl
23 Jun 2014stunning!!! I like them all!
fotograffer
23 Jun 2014Thank you and thanks for visiting.
Tuxedo Sophisticated Cat
23 Jun 2014Stunning photos!!
fotograffer
23 Jun 2014Thanks so much.
edithlevyphotography
23 Jun 2014Stunning images.
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014Thank you Edith.
kerbey
23 Jun 2014There was no subsequent pic of a cat on fire? That’s my hoop dream.
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014Kerbey, you crack me up. This guy managed to land safely.
anotherday2paradise
23 Jun 2014Breathtakingly beautiful images, Ron. They are all magnificent, but the Havana and the Saint James City ones really stand out for me. 🙂
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014Thanks Sylvia. St James City is one of my favorites.
jazzytower
23 Jun 2014All awesome photos!! Wow!!
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014Thank you so much for your comment and thanks for visiting.
Connie Hanks - ClickyChickCreates.com
24 Jun 2014We can’t help but be enamored with sunrise and sunset… good thing they happen so often, letting us photograph and fall in love just as often 🙂
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014You are so right! Thank you Connie.
catbirdinamerica
24 Jun 2014What a gorgeous array of sunrises and sunsets, Ron. Sunrises really do present a scheduling problem, don’t they? They’re beautiful though, when we can force ourselves out of bed to enjoy them. Wonderful!
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014Thanks Cathy. You may have noticed there are far more sunsets than sunrises. 🙂
catbirdinamerica
29 Jun 2014Yes, I noticed! I wonder why? …. 🙂
jaime perez
24 Jun 2014Fantastic entry Ron, as usual. It’s my opinion that that “twice a day magic time” has been created specially for anyone of us to realize how tiny we are before God and Nature. I think the one from Ganges River contains more between elements; that’s why it’s my favorite!
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014What a lovely comment and so true. Thank you Jaime.
The Guat
26 Jun 2014Amazing shot! Very cool colors.
fotograffer
26 Jun 2014Thanks and thank you for visiting.
Madhu
29 Jun 2014Just magical Ron! The Ecuador shots are my favourites of your spectacular gallery.