Eloquent Images by Gary Hart
Insight, information, and inspiration for the inquisitive nature photographer
Sunrise on the rocks
Dawn, Puna Coast, Hawaii
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
10 seconds
17-40L
ISO 100
F11
I “discovered” this unnamed beach while scouting locations for my Hawaii workshops. It wasn’t on any maps or in any guidebooks, it was just there, tucked into a narrow strip separating the churning Pacific from lush Kapono-Kalapana Road. Through the trees the beach looked promising, so I pulled into a wide spot and explored more closely. A pair of children’s shorts draping a branch near the road, and a warning sign nailed to a tree, were indications that this not a secret location. I feared the sign would threaten severe consequences to anyone who dared trespass, but it simply said, “Private property: No camping or fires. Please enjoy.” So I did.
I’ve probably photographed this beach a dozen times since then. The hanging children’s clothing is always different: shoes, shirts, a swimsuit, but the sign stays the same. For the last few days, on each visit to locations I scouted before the workshop, I’ve scoured the rocks for a lens cap that disappeared somewhere early in my visit to the island. While I have no real hope of finding my lens cap, it’s a great reminder to look more closely at the beauty right at my feet. In Hawaii it’s easy to get distracted by the turquoise surf and billowing clouds, but it’s the jewel-like pools, pillow-shaped rocks, and emerald green moss within arm’s reach that make me feel like beautiful images are possible here any time, regardless of conditions.
This morning’s workshop sunrise was maybe my sixth time here in the last two weeks. The sky was nice but not spectacular, so I decided to emphasize the basalt pillows and quiet pools. I put on my widest lens (17-40) and dialed it out to 19mm to exaggerate the exquisite foreground. The pre-sunrise sky reflected nicely in the pools, but wasn’t yet sufficient to illuminate the black lava. To bring out the character in the nearby rocks, I used a two-stop graduated neutral density filter that held back the much brighter sky enough to expose the foreground detail. Because it was still too dark for a shutter speed that would freeze the violent waves, I opted to blur them into a gauzy mist that (I hoped) would create an ethereal mood. The result was a ten second exposure at f11 and ISO 100.
As we pulled away, an older gentleman hurried across the road to flag me down. I feared we’d inadvertently disturbed his peace, but he was simply wanted to express his admiration for our enjoying the beach so early. He gestured to a home mostly hidden behind dense foliage and said this was indeed “his” beach (technically no beach in Hawaii can be private) and that he was glad we enjoyed it. Then he reached into his pocket and handed me a small black disk, “I found this a few days ago.” I took my lens cap and thanked him for his generosity.
A Big Island Gallery
Eloquent Images by Gary Hart 
Hi Gary – What a marvelous story – I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at this wonderful “surprise ending!” And the image is definitely an existential dream! I love the colors and darker tones together with the gorgeoous rocks…amazing. The composition and perspective is phenomenal – as if I am there. It is so wonderfl to see someone whom I respect and admire so much be rewarded with this “new find” and then be able to enjoy it and share it with your students. That is what you are about, Gary…you give so much, it is a delight to see you receive some good karma back. Have a great autumn, I know you have lots more workshop activities and I will just sit here and wait for more joy from the eloquent ,aster…All the best my man! – Denny
Thanks, Denny. Yeah, these Hawaii workshops have been fantastic, even better than I dared hope. Last night we were having a great time photographing the fiery Halema`uma`u Crater (in the Kilauea Caldera) beneath a moonless mix of stars and clouds. Then the clouds on the eastern horizon lifted to reveal the distant glow from the Pu’u O’o cone (which unbeknownst to us had breached earlier in the day).The clouds above the cone were bathed in orange and dotted with stars–it was truly breathtaking. I’ll blog about it when I find time in my busy fall schedule.
I love all your photos, they are all amazing. I just purchased my first DSLR Camera this past weekend and can’t wait to start taking pictures. You are such an inspiration to me. Wish me luck!
Good luck!
What an Amazing photo, as the poster above said, it feels as if I’m right there, thanks for sharing the story behind this pic, and for also sharing the way it was captured, the more knowledge I have, the better my photo taking will be…
I have learned a lot by just reading you blog. I can tell you love to teach.