Swirls of Sunset
This photograph was taken in the autumn of 2024 during the final days of a storm that battered the Galician coast. It captures a breathtaking sunset at the Ermita da Virxe do Porto in Meirás (Valdoviño - A Coruña).
Technical Details:
Camera: Canon 5D Mark IV
Lens: Irix Blackstone 15mm F2.4
Filter: Irix Edge CPL
Settings: ISO 100 - F16 - 1/3s
Tripod: Artcise AS80C + Artcise UB40 Ball Head
Post-Processing:
Editing this image wasn’t particularly difficult, but I had to deal with diffraction caused by shooting at F16. I also focused on preserving and enhancing the textures of the water while bringing out the rich colors of the sunset. Special attention was given to the sky to maximize its dramatic impact.
Challenges & Difficulties:
This location is well-known among both local and visiting photographers. Having shot here many times before, I wanted to capture something truly unique. During a storm, I had observed that waves could crash over the rocks, creating a temporary pool on the other side.
To achieve this vision, I studied the conditions carefully and determined that I needed:
- Extremely high tides
- Strong winds to push the water further inland
- The right timing—coinciding with sunset
I took advantage of the last remnants of a powerful storm system that had been affecting the coast and aligned my shoot with high tide at sunset. However, the execution was far from easy.
First, finding the perfect alignment of natural elements was a challenge in itself. Then, positioning myself at the right spot added another layer of difficulty. The area where I needed to stand was risky—one overly powerful wave could not only ruin the shot but also drench both me and my gear.
To mitigate the risk, I spent time observing the wave patterns to determine a relatively safe position. With only a short window of opportunity, I set up my camera, adjusted my settings to achieve the ideal shutter speed, and patiently waited for the perfect wave. When it finally arrived, I captured the moment exactly as I had envisioned—creating one of the most challenging yet rewarding shots I have ever taken.