SUBLIME is defined in Merriam Webster’s Desk Dictionary as: adj 1 : EXALTED, NOBLE 2 : having awe-inspiring beauty or grandeur syn glorious, splendid, superb, resplendent, gorgeous.
SUBLIME is quintessential WOW photography which renders the photographer, and perhaps the audience, with a feeling of inspiration or awe.
For photographer, the sublime image occurs as a happenstance of being in the right place at the right time. For example, in the photograph I took on St. Kitts Caribbean Island (above). The morning rays of sunlight shone exactly and perfectly upon the sharp lava wall on the beach. I gave the title “Golden Lava” because the golden hues of sun made the wet lava rock look golden at that moment. With photography time is of the essence. Another moment and the light rays were gone as they moved on into morning. Thus it truly is about being in the right place at the right time with sublime photography.
Flying—for sublime photography—is a photographer’s opportunity to capture some unique perspectives. If at all possible, I usually try to schedule my flights so I can be in the air during sunrise or sunset. Window seat. Photography while flying allowed me to use the bulk of images in the feature article about clouds : THE LANGUAGE OF CLOUDS A PHOTOGRAPHY WORLD OF CLOUDS AS SEEN FROM EARTH AND SKY. Though flying isn’t a sure fire recipe for “sublime”, I think anytime a photographer adds perspective, clouds (fog), sunset/rise and associated colors, odds for capturing a sublime image increase and you will know it when you shoot it.
