Golden Hour

Taking photos in the digital age

I used to think it was a matter of 

spontaneous brilliance,

an inspiration that struck

as you were strolling along the shore

camera over your shoulder

(just in case) and then

a sudden recognition of the perfect balance

of color, light, and composition.

Capturing the mood and the moment

tack-sharp and glorious

and then walking on.

Thousands of dollar’s worth 

of equipment and lessons later

I arrive at the beach an hour in advance

(because I know the time of sunset 

to the minute),

tripod balanced precariously on the rocks

aperture and shutter speed 

set for the half-light

filtering the glare off the water.

Finger poised on the shutter

I check my watch

again

squinting at the horizon

making final adjustments

waiting for nature to do its thing.

The show doesn't disappoint.

Swaths of magenta and orange

bathe the sky,

gorgeous and oh, so satisfying.

Well.

There are, of course,

a few things to tweak:

I fix the exposure

reduce highlights, bring up shadows

enhance and saturate colors

(not too much

so it looks natural,

like I've never heard of Photoshop)

sharpen the edges of the rocks

erase the imperfections.

#perfect_sunset

Author's Note

It's my first poem - please review and kindly critique.