Cloudy Sunset 12-18-2017

Captured during the New England Balloon Festival in Goshen, Connecticut back in July 2017, this shot was born out of a bit of patience. While the main event on the ground didn’t quite live up to expectations, the sky end-of-day made the trip worthwhile. As the sun began to dip, heavy clouds moved across the horizon, setting up a dramatic interplay of light and shade that proved far more captivating than the festivities below.

The composition centers on the glowing disc of the sun peeked from behind thick, dark bands of clouds. Warm golden and amber tones light up the edges of the cloud cover, creating high-contrast rim lighting against deep shadowy masses. The monochromatic warmth gives the sky an intense, moody look, capturing a brief moment where golden sunlight breaks through heavy summer skies.