Katrina Sunrise, August 28, 2005

The effects of the category 5 hurricane Katrina

MichaelStephenWills

Hurricane Katrina approached the Gulf Coast and New Orleans as the sun rose on the West End of Jones Beach on Long Island, August 28, 2005. This amazing sunrise was an element of the unusual atmospheric effects that are evidence of the power of this storm.

The featured image (heading this blog) is my print, “Katrina Sunrise”.  This work is enjoyed by hundreds of my clients.  Use the link, below, to acquire your own.  Custom framing is available.

Click this link for Katrina Sunrise from my Memory Dreams Reflections Online gallery
The following images are the rough drafts taken in the early morning hours. The beach was literally deserted as I mounted the camera and framed the view for this series. Many image captions include the file time stamp, for example 6:07:13 is 6 am and 7 minutes 13 seconds.

West End Sunrise 6:07:13
6:07:13 First image of the set. Below the horizon the sun lights the upper atmosphere.
West End Sunrise 6:07:34
6:07:34 As the sun approaches the horizon the lower clouds catch light. My Camera was a Sony DSC-F828 tripod mounted with a polarizing filter.
West End Sunrise 6:07:56
6:07:56 I panned slightly to the east. ISO was set to 64 throughout.
West End Sunrise 6:08:16
6:08:16 Gradual brightening. The lens is 7.1 – 51.0 mm f/2.0-2.8.
West End Sunrise 6:08:38
6:08:38 All levels are brighter. It seems those low clouds will block the horizon. That was not the case. The variable focal length is 15.6 mm.
West End Sunrise 6:09:05
6:09:05 It is happening!!!! Exposure was set to automatic on a f stop of 8.0. It was 1/3 second for this image.
West End Sunrise 6:14:34
6:14:34 The view is panned west. That is the Robert Moses water tower of Jones Beach State Park looking like a rocket ready to blast off.
West End Sunrise 6:15:15
6:15:15 Will those low clouds block the sun? Looks promising.
West End Sunrise 6:16:11
6:16:11 Clouds on the upper margin catching the sun. Horizon brightening….. Exposure 1/20 second.
West End Sunrise 6:14:39
6:14:39 This will be a disappointment if that sun does not show. Exposure 1/25 second.
West End Sunrise 6:18:27
6:18:27 Almost there….1/15 second exposure….
West End Sunrise 6:19:07
6:19:07 Quick framing adjustment to bring the lighting of shore margin into the composition. The final version was created from two images captured seconds after this.
Hurricane Rainbow Panorama
As the sun rose a rainbow formed in the western sky.

Click this link for my blog “Sunrise Photo Album March 2 2017.”

Copyright 2021 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved

17 thoughts on “Katrina Sunrise, August 28, 2005”

  1. It is only because man is such a fragile creature that ‘nature’ can appear to be such a ferocious animal. The beauty within these images is defiled by our sensitivities. Beautiful images, Michael; such majesty!

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  5. This is the first chance I’ve had to visit your blog. This particular post reminded me of photos I took of the Ninth Ward about six months after Katrina. I may have to pilfer through those and do a post.

    Your work is nothing short of stunning. I love candid photos of life and nature happening. Thank you for sharing your perspective of life.

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      1. Yes I do, I have some very good friends from New Orleans I was in touch with them all through out, luckily, since they lived close to the Viewx Carre, they were ok and did not suffer the flooding. And as a cop in Miami, I worked through Hurricane Andrew in 1992…cheers Michael, all the best,
        F.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Plenty close…….I experienced one hurricane as a child on Long Island….nothing as serious as Andrew or Katrina, still the wind, rain and wittnessing the wall clouds as the eye passed over were unforgettable.

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