Description
Artist notes:
It was an hour or so before sunrise when I found this location and started pre-planning the shot. The stars were just starting to fade into the night as I setup my tripod and 14mm lens on a lava rock outcropping outside of a deserted beach. My back was to the sea which always makes me uncomfortable, knowing full well what the fury of the ocean is capable of. And this day it was even more so, as a swell had been building all night.
As the sky became lighter and lighter I was impressed with the early cloud formations. Usually on Maui we have some pretty clear skies in the morning and its not until later that they start to build with clouds. This morning, however, the clouds were already building and they were low enough and thin enough that I had a feeling they might put on a show when the sun finally did break the plane of day.
Soon, the colors did start to present themselves and the clouds turned a dark red, followed by purples and pinks as the morning started to clock in. On cue, the ocean started to build with the rising sun. Soon my feet and tripod legs were being covered by significant amounts of water, but I held firm. I knew there were only a few more moments before the sun peaked over the mountains and into my frame.
Finally, after a barrage of swells left me soaking wet from the waist down, the rays of light did start peaking over the mountain and I let the shutter fly. The colors, sky and water all formed an incredible view that I’ve been looking forward to releasing for a long time! Thankfully, outside of a little sea-soaked clothes, no cameras or accessories were damaged in the shooting of this image.
