Wednesday, September 28, 2011

PHOTOGRAPHING SUNSETS AT KEY WEST

As a photographer I love sunsets. Something about the finality of it plus the saturated colors just grabs my heart and eye!! You really never know for sure how colorful a sunset is going to be. Depending on atmospheric conditions some are wonderfully colorful events while others are just the sun going down!! A great sunset is lyrical, its nature's own rapture, a combination of saturated reds, oranges and yellows combined with dramatic cloud cover. They sing out to be documented, to be gazed at in wonder. 


Through the years as we see the sun, beautifully, set we hear the sounds of people appreciating what they are witnessing; awes, ohs and a few "oh my god". To see a dramatic sunset is like looking into the soul of nature, it is hard to forget.  


In Key West there is a place called Mallory Square known for having some of the best sunsets in Florida, some would say in all of the USA. When we were visiting there recently we found all of those claims to be true! So here are a group of sunset images I took from Mallory Square in Key West, Florida, While viewing them listen to Dino Crocetti sing Red Sails in The Sunset. You may know Dino by the name Dean Martin, my favorite singer.




All of these images were taken over a few different nights.





When I saw this schooner passing by I just kept shooting looking for the best composition. I think I like the third image best, the one where the schooner has passed the island.






One night as the sunset, the sky went from orange to deep red and I just kept shooting till the sun actually set!!










The island that you see in some of these images is Sunset Key, formally known as Tank Island. This island was converted from a fuel depot to some of the most prestigious real estate in the country, with no homes worth less than a million dollars. Owners include Madonna, Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey!!








I hope you enjoyed seeing these Key West sunsets and that someday you to will stand in Mallory Square with the one you love looking out at a really dramatic sunset!  It can be very romantic!!!!!!! I know!!!!!


IF YOU ENJOYED THIS PLEASE STUMBLE IT, THANK YOU!!

















30 comments:

Roy Durham said...

love the sunsets and when it comes to Dino, well , he bought my horse ebony after riding in a movie,and he can sing too. thank you and god bless

JIM said...

YOu have led an interesting life my friend!! Meeting Dino would have been a thrill for me, I did get to see him in Vegas a few years before his death and he was great. On stage for over two hours just him and a stool without a break. Sang a lot os songs and only finished a few without going into a story lol. By the way what movie was it??
Thanks Roy

Manisha Bhatia said...

Jim i lack words...t describe the beauty...today my silence is my applaud!

Corinne Rodrigues said...

Beautiful sunsets and Dean Martin set it off so well!

AJ said...

Your description is just as beautiful as your images. "To see a dramatic sunset is like looking into the soul of nature." :)

Martha Jane Orlando said...

Fabulously breathtaking! I've never seen more beautiful sunsets in my life. Enjoyed Dean Martin, too! :)
Blessings!

Anonymous said...

I am incredibly jealous, I love sunrises and sunsets and you have some beautiful sunsets. These images are absolutely phenomenal, thanks for posting them.

http://viewingthroughalens.blogspot.com/
http://outpostke.blogspot.com/

Abhisek--The Invisible Art said...

Personally I am a nature lover and this is a mind blowing sunset collection.I tried something similar but I am not a pro photographer.You can check out my try at cgmagiic.blogspot.com

Tameka said...

Oh Jim you sure know how to set a mood. Dean Martin and beautiful sunsets. Totally perfect.



http://lyricfire.typepad.com/lyric-fire/2011/09/lyric-fire-look-at-my-fabulous-life-episode-7-.html

Anonymous said...

Just lovely, Jim. The only thing better than a sunset is a sunrise. Both, truly my favorite times of day.

Alpana Jaiswal said...

Beautiful pictures Jim....making me very nostalgic..and making me think to write something on sunsets....loved the Dean Martin video also..

Unknown said...

sunset has its own ethereal charm and only an artist like you can capture it on film.Thank you ,Jim,for these photos.
-PORTIA

Unknown said...

Dear Jim,
I've linked my blog with yours and have written a poem about your breathtaking photo. Hope my words do justice to your 'poem on cellu loid'.

Jim said...

Beautiful. Yeah, can see why they inspire romance. You can imagine how I felt sitting on a rock in Botswana admiring the sun coming up but with my wife half the world away missing a magic moment together.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Jim. I believe I like the first one where the sun and boat actually cross paths. It seems to illuminate the scene. Sunsets are may favorite photo...or at least until the we have a sunrise lol.

JIM said...

Thank You all I really do appreciate all the wonderful comments and the stumbles. Portia and Ravinmyth thank you so much for your special actions of linking my blog to yours, I was blown away by your kindness



http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/09/photographing-sunsets-at-key-west.html

Anonymous said...

gorgeous images and Dino is a favorite of mine... yet i do prefer Louis Prima just saying.

Oh by the way a schooner here as well as being a boat is also the size of beer glass..

Cheers A

JIM said...

As well as here actually i prefer to be in the glass over on the boat :)

Larry Lewis said...

Mate that has got to be one of the most awesome copllection of photos i've seen. I'm staggered. Jealous as hell because i want to be there seeing as you do such unbelievable settings. Totlly awesome today. when are you publishing your ebook of photos (you should - id order a copy)

cathy jones said...

JIM, I know now why your blog is a favorite of mine. The music and photos were simply perfect. I have always loved sunsets, the end of what is, so that what may be will be able to happen the next day. Awesome my friend.
~cath xo

JIM said...

Thank You Cath.. I have not included music for awhile and thought of Dean for this one. I thought it was appropriate and like I said he is a favorite of mine!!!

photos by jan said...

What beautiful captures Jim, I did indeed stumble and facebook share. Dino is also one of my all time favorites. Puts me with my dad whenever I hear him. The sunsets are glorious,I was blessed to grow up in a home with an ocean view, sunsets were a piece of my salvation. Thank you for this post.

Unknown said...

Stumbled...

Hard to believe those were taken in Florida .. amazing colors

Thanks for sharing

JIM said...

Thank You Jan I also love sunsets as I wrote



Deb this state is beautiful including the sky great clouds here Thank you

Aaron said...

Great shots Jim.
Sorry I have been MIA.
I do like sunsets but nothing beats a sunrise for me. It is much harder to get up for than the sunset though :)

Jessica M said...

Stunning images! I especially love the one where the water looks purple. Beautiful. :)

Anonymous said...

The music and photos go so well together. I love the deep reds and burnt oranges. Makes you glad to be alive :-)

The Poet said...

Hello.
Nothing better than watching the sun go down with the one you love right by your side.

Awesome shots!

Thanks for sharing.

My most recent post: Thief In the Night

Mari Sterling Wilbur said...

BTW - my blog button is working again :D

Melissa Tandoc said...

4th and 5th images from the last --- sunset with the glossy effect are awesome...the 6th up looks like a painting with its solid yellow background...

I liked the different hues of sunset...reminds me of autumn leaves...

I like the silhouette on the 4th photo...also the schooner when it has passed looks better.The red streaks are so lovely. I always remember your explanation for this sky streaks in your other post.

Oh, I'll wait for that day to be with my loved one in Mallory Square :P...

Loved the concept :P