Emerald Fishing
Anglin’s Fishing Pier, Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida.
As the first light of dawn began to peek over the horizon, I set out to capture the magic of the sunrise from above. With my drone in hand, I took off from the beach, feeling the refreshing sea breeze and hearing the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore. Initially, I intended to frame the pier between my camera and the sun as it rose above the ocean's edge. However, as I gained altitude, something unexpected caught my eye. Out in the water, a boat was anchored just past the end of the pier. As I flew past the boat, now pointing my aerial camera to the west instead of the east, I couldn't help but notice how the sky reflections rippled out in every direction, creating a stunning contrast with the emerald waters still glowing with the sunrise's rays. I realized this would make a fascinating shot, but it required a change in plans. So I kept my drone aimed entirely to the west, away from the sunrise, and adjusted my attitude and position to frame the boat and the pier into the scene.
This shift in mindset reminded me of similar experiences in the past when I had to adjust my plans to capture better shots. Those times, I had to go against my initial plans to frame a new subject and instead pull back to see the bigger picture. These experiences reinforced the idea that sometimes it's wise to fully assess your surroundings and conditions before being inflexible and just sticking to the original plans.
The resulting aerial panorama was enchanting, showcasing the beauty and magic of the early morning hours in a way I would only capture if I had followed the initial agenda. And as the sun rose higher in the sky, now behind my aerial camera, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at how the new scene unfolded. This moment was a reminder that sometimes the sunrise is not just a subject but a moment. It taught me to stay open to unexpected opportunities and the power of mind-shifting, which can lead to beautiful and surprising results.