South Stack Lighthouse at sunset

Lighthouse #47

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The story behind this image

The cliffs at South Stack on the island of Anglesey is a prime spot to watch a glorious sunset.

This particular photo was taken close to midsummer, with the sun setting to the northwest, but in the winter the view is reversed, with the sun setting on the other side of the lighthouse, to the southwest. So this really is a location that's worth a visit any time of year.

For this photo I wanted to capture the flash of light from the lighthouse to act as a counterpoint to the setting sun, so a cable release proved very handy in giving me a precise shutter opening without having to touch the camera and cause shake.

There was a high pressure system over the UK at the time, so the air was heavy with particulates and moisture which gave a stunning orange glow to the sky just as the sun sank towards the horizon.

You never know what you're going to get for a sunset in North Wales, but I was particularly pleased to be at South Stack for this one.

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Image data

Filename - lighthouse 47.jpg

Camera - Canon 5D

Lens - 24-105mm zoom @ 105mm

Exposure - 1/10 sec @ f22, ISO100

Location - South Stack, Anglesey, North Wales

This image - 800x600px JPEG

Conversion - ACR & PS-CS2

Comments - Tripod, mirror lock up and cable release used to prevent camera movement