This month, the focus is on moments captured in The In Between – when the world is neither fully night nor fully day. These photographs, taken from opposite sides of the Island, reveal the subtle changes that occuur in the early morning as darkness gives way to light.
These are the stories behind this month’s photographs.
The Milky Way During Astronomical Twilight
In late Winter/ early Spring, the core of the Milky Way rises like a clock hand, sweeping above the horizon just before sunrise. When the sun reaches -18° altitude, it marks the beginning of astronomical twilight. Unable to be perceived by the human eye, the darkness is already starting to recede, each step towards dawn subtle, unfolding over an hour or more of soft tranitions.
But what you can’t see is translated beautifully through the lens of the camera. The rocks in the foreground sit dark and textured, a familiar break alongthe shoreline at Steephill Cove. As the light begins to shift, the scene becomes drenched in a palette of blues, creating contrast against teh star-filled sky while the Milky Way core lingers low on the horizon.
In this brief window, the camera can pick up detail and contrast in the foreground while still capturing the Milky Way in the sky. The result is an image where both the foreground and the stars are clearly defined.
Taken in May 2016, this image was chosen particularly for the colour of the sky, which sets it apart from other images, taken in these conditions. The composition is balanced, with the foreground providing weight against the expansive sky, and together these elements make it a standout photograph in my collection – one that captures the mood of that early Spring twilight better than any other from that year.
Sunrise at Yaverland
Taken at Yaverland on the 6th September 2021, this image was a rarity. As a night owl, I’m typically out late into the night, but I don’t usually stay out for sunrise. In fact, this was my very first sunrise shot at this location.
I had wanted to photograph Culver Cliff from Yaverland beach as it is such an iconic part of the Island’s landscale. This trip was origanised with this exact spot in mind. The tripod was perched on the rocks, with the water swirling around and sometimes lapping at it’s legs. I knew the sun would be rising slightly out to sea, creating for a dramatic sunrise.
The clouds were heavy, almost ominous, layered and threatening to cover the entire sky. Yet as teh sun rose over the horizon, a beam of light cut across the sea, illuminating the cliffs and reflecting on a line of rocks, giving them a pink glow. A crack of light pierced the cloud cover. The long expure smooths the water, capturing the flow of the waves as they weave through rocks.
This image was born of persistence. I had begun to think that all was lost, as that cloud cover got thicker and it seemed to me that the sunrise would be a complete miss. And then, as the sun touched the horizon I realised instead that this would become somethiing worth capturing, an iconic part of the island revealing its dramatic side at sunrise.
Thank you for taking the time to read and follow along. These images have been a quietly important part of my journey – moments that have shaped me not just as a photographer, but as a person. I hope their stories have given you a glimpse of the experiences and influences that continue to guide my work, and I look forward to sharing the next chapter with you.
We often don’t notice it in the moment, but the right person at the right time can change everything. I hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate those who have quietly sided, supported, or believed in you along the way.
Thanks again and I’ll see you again next month!
Living in a town it’s something I will never see for real myself, so thank you for sharing this video Chad, it’s truly amazing. Who would have thought you’d see them this far south.