Being a volunteer lighthouse keeper has its perks, particularly in the off-duty hours. Fortunately, no matter what month I am at Crisp Point Lighthouse, sunrise and sunset fall squarely within my free time. And I make sure I am at the ready to witness and photograph both. Highlights of each day.
Being keepers in September this year means a more sociable hour for sunrise. Scrambling out of the tent by 6:45am still nets me a front row seat to an inspiring light show. I start on the west side of the lighthouse, watching the oranges infiltrate the clouds and silhouette the tower.
Making my way past the lighthouse to the opposite side, I turn back to watch the sun crawl its way down the lighthouse, illuminating it with the glow of the low morning sun and reflect on the water.
Another morning delivers fiery red hues that mutate into pink cotton candy in the clouds overhead, just 13 minutes later. I never tire of this scene. It’s worth the brisk morning chill, the sleep still in my eyes and the fact that I haven’t had a chance to brush my teeth yet.
At the other end of the day, sunsets provide lingering entertainment that only starts with the sun dipping below the clouds.
The real show begins five minutes later when the sun drops below the horizon and shoots its brilliance into the clouds above, and intensifies with the accompaniment of crashing waves.
The variety is never ending. Some mornings and evenings are duds, scuttled by clouds blanketing the horizon. Others lack clouds completely, robbing the sun of targets to reflect its brilliant rays. But when the conditions are right, it’s downright magic and never the same twice. God’s majesty at work.
Photographing these scenes is half the fun, the game of seeing if I can replicate the image. In the past, I’d point my Canon Powershot SX40 camera at these displays, struggling to get the settings right, focus carefully, keep the camera still and hope for a good photo. Usually with mixed results. This time the camera stays in the car. Instead, I whip out my iPhone 12 Pro Max and hold it up for the shot. Click, I got it. Click, another for good measure. Click, catch the changing light. It certainly lowers my stress level, enhancing my appreciation for these solar events. And I have to say, that phone does a credible job and is always at the ready in my pocket. It’s my new standard to ensure I capture those sunrise, sunset moments.
Superior Footprints 
stunning!!!!! thanks so much for sharing, molly! just beautiful
I love the idea of being out there at sunrise and sunset. I was there this past week, first time ever, and I loved it! I thought it would be a wonderful place for night photography, but I don’t know if I’d want to maneuver the road out there and back in the dark. I imagine you’d need special permission to be out there after hours anyway? When I was there I didn’t go inside, or up, though I hae never not done that when visiting a lighthouse. I was just so taken by the beach, both sides. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve been since the pandemic! (I did make it out to Sable Point lighthouse in June, camped at Hurricane River. It’s the lighthouse I can most imagine living in alone back in the day, and one of my favorite places to visit.) I foundy your blog by googling Crisp Point Lighthouse…so I figure it was all a win! Someday I will get back out there again.
We do get photographers who come for night skies, but I wouldn’t want to drive that road at night either! No special permission is needed as long as you are considerate. My husband loves being able to crawl out of the tent for Northern Lights or Milky Way shots.