Sunset at Ottawa Lake

Sunset at Ottawa Lake
Sunset at Ottawa Lake

I went camping at Ottawa Lake this past weekend.  The sky was cloudless on both days and nights I was there which made for some not so stellar photographs during the day and mostly boring sunrises and sunsets.  However, on this particular evening, the colors in the sky just after the sun went down and the corresponding reflections in the placid water of the lake were stunning.  Since only a few trees and a small dock were visible on the other side of the small lake, I decided to go abstract and blur out the details so only the bold, saturated colors were visible.

So a couple pointers when thinking about shooting a sunset: Go, even if it’s cloudy or perfectly clear – you never know what you might find.  And always wait for a while after the sun goes beyond the horizon before you pack up and leave – that is often when you’ll get the most beautiful colors.

Day 202 of my 365 photo a day project.
To see more of my portfolio & for print and download options, click here.

Sunset at Ottawa Lake
Sunset at Ottawa Lake. Ottawa Lake Campground, Kettle Moraine State Forest, Southern Unit, Wisconsin.

By Scott Norris

Emotion. Mood. Feelings. This is what I capture through my photographs. Whether it is landscapes, architectural elements, still life, or macros - it is a very personal journey as my own fears, triumphs, beliefs, and shortcomings are exposed with each photo. In the end, it is all about telling compelling stories.