I had planned to photograph the sunset over the Strait of Juan de Fuca from the West Beach vista on Whidbey Island, Washington. But when I got there 30 minutes before the sun disappeared, I was greeted by a thick layer of clouds blocking the horizon.
I knew the chances of getting a colorful sky were slim, but I didn’t let that discourage me. I decided to embrace the dark and gloomy mood of the scene and look for interesting compositions of the beach, the water, and the clouds.
I spent the next hour exploring the shoreline, finding different angles and perspectives. I used a long exposure to create a smooth and silky effect on the waves and the clouds. I also experimented with different filters and settings to enhance the contrast and drama of the image.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this photo shoot. Even though I didn’t get the sunset I wanted, I still created beautiful, atmospheric images. I learned that sometimes, the best photos are not the ones you plan for but the ones you discover along the way.
