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Sun Pillar at Sunset


Sun Pillar at Sunset
Photo Information
Copyright: Jay Meeuwig (Shoot_Score) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 473 W: 318 N: 684] (2364)
Genre: Landscapes
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-12-20
Categories: Trees, Seascape, Ocean, Sky
Camera: Fuji Finepix S7000
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Theme(s): Sunrise & Sunsets, !Solar Shows, !Waxing & Waning [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-01-19 20:07
Viewed: 1013
Points: 22
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Two days after I saw the ,sun pillar before the dawn of the day , I saw another sun pillar after sundown.
In this photo I zoomed in more, rather than showing the entire Western skyscape. The sky had gone very red at sunset... after a while - but for less then 15 minutes - this sun pillar was available. I have recorded the entire event ;)

As we approach the Winter Solstice it gets easier and easier to stay around for the pre-darkness moments ;)

Today I was lying in wait to take more pre-dusk and post-dusk shots. The earlier ones were OK, but nothing spectacular. < We can only shoot what Nature offers ! > Then at 4:30PM for abt. fifteen minutes the sky suddenly lit up with yet another pillar. Here is one of the shots with that almost perpendicular flare!

Here is more information on same: sun pillars!
Information about sundogs is here!

Related phenomenon:

Sun pillar before dawn ,

Sun pillar after dawn



NOTE: Colour saturation adjustment, then scale & crop. Colours now are as shot.
Other pre-dawn, midday and early morning shots may follow along with post-dusk an dusk shots.

Hope you enjoy.

NOTE: Winter Solstice 2006 - 22nd December
The midwinter sunset can be seen between Stonehenge's uprights - the largest trilithon.
English Heritage usually allows Open Access to Stonehenge during the Winter solstice sunrise -
... I will have to make due with the Atlantic View from Sambro Head,
which - when conditions are right - is second to none. What?
Adanac, marhowie, loot, whjb, bobair has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To anniejo: Solar PillarsShoot_Score 1 01-22 19:07
To pankajbajpai: Solar PillarsShoot_Score 1 01-22 19:05
To marhowie: Solar PillarsShoot_Score 1 01-22 19:01
To arfer: Solar PillarsShoot_Score 1 01-22 18:59
To horia: ...better late than never, ehShoot_Score 1 01-22 02:44
To anahory: Solar PillarsShoot_Score 1 01-21 19:21
To whjb: Solar PillarsShoot_Score 1 01-21 19:18
To Aramok: Solar PillarsShoot_Score 1 01-21 19:16
To loot: WS commentsShoot_Score 1 01-20 10:44
To loot: WS commentsShoot_Score 1 01-20 10:33
To anniejo: Only a month agoShoot_Score 1 01-19 21:36
To Adanac: STORM? What storm? Oh no!Shoot_Score 1 01-19 21:04
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Critiques [Translate]

I really like the composition here in this shot. The sun pillar is wonderfully captured, but the added bonus of the dazzling yet soft colors of the sunset itself, is wonderfully photographed!!
Good POV, as usual, and the contrast of the colors in the sky and the darkness of the trees, gives this photo a very nice balance!!
TFS

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1111 W: 1 N: 4518] (15128)
  • [2007-01-19 20:39]
  • [+]

Hi Jay,
Beautiful shot, love the composition and colors. I heard your going to post storm pictures tomorrow. So this peaceful, lovely scene won't be around. Thanks for sharing with us.
Rick

hi jay,
nice shot,
well composed,
lovely colours,
tfs & regards
pankaj

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-01-19 23:32]
  • [+]

Hello Jay

This is a very well composed shot that shows a beautiful sunset,with amazing colours.The sun pillar is very intense and shows well.I like how the clouds are formed around it,and the way they are reflecting the wonderful colours.It is like a powerful beam of light coming down from the sky.TFS

Rob

Cool shot Jay.
Wonderful pastel colors in this awesome capture of a unique natural phenomenon. Excellent links with your note..
Very well done.

Hi Jay

Yet another remarkable display of the natural phenomenon of the “fantastic light fandango” you manage to capture and share with us.

The pillar is clear and spectacular. The composition is well presented. The colours are beautiful, the details are sufficient, and the exposure was well controlled as far as the sky is concerned. IMHO the foreground could show a little more light as you lost all the detail there and it really resulted as a dark area that consumed ˝ of the frame. A little optimisation in PP could probably solve this quite satisfactory.

Good work and TFS.
Regards
Loot

PS. I’ve done a workshop basically to experiment a bit with the foreground, but unfortunately I fiddled a little more than just that and then the ‘pillar’ lost a little bit of its original definition in the process. Anyway, I hope you like it for what it’s worth.

Hi Jay
really I never saw this interesting atmospheric phenomenon and so your photo is very didactic to me...but also is a fine piece of art with beautiful,warm colours and composition
best regards
pedro

  • Great 
  • whjb Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 51 W: 26 N: 172] (683)
  • [2007-01-21 15:26]
  • [+]

Hi Jay,

Another interesting post. Instead of cropping, maybe you should include more sky originally - as per comments. The photo, and good note, does however bring a strong message across. Well done.

TFS
Willem

PS Hope the other issue is sorted out?

You have managed to capture a wonderful sunset and a solar pillar as well. I have been fortunate enough to see 2 sundogs and a mock mirage sunset but not a solar pillar, you have made me quite envious.

Nicely caught and TFS
Emma

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2135 W: 224 N: 3948] (13111)
  • [2007-01-22 2:10]
  • [+]

Hi Jay

...better late than never, huh :)
Another great example of this amazing phenomenon.
The sky is really RED and i think zooming in was the way to go here. This way all the attentions is focused on the pillar.
The colors and tones of the sky are simply fantastic!
I also like the exposure management here, which kept everything nice and not overexposed. The FG in that dimm light looks great and also adds interest to the overall composition.
Very well done.

Bravo and TFS
Horia

  • Great 
  • bobair Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 384 W: 83 N: 1252] (4592)
  • [2007-04-25 22:00]

Hi Jay,
man who has sun pillars,one here and the other on TE.Well I'm glad you have mentioned these photos as they do illustrate an atmospheric phenomenon that one doesn't see very often.I have only seen a few of these in my life but halos and sun dogs very often and the same for the moon as well.The colours are deep and rich with all those mellow hues and there is a nice softness to this image as well.The TE upload is very good as well but I have not signed up to TE and have had my TL account removed(I only have time for TN and Just barely).Two points for the TE and two TN my friend,sorry I over looked this gem. Bob

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