Sunrise and Sunset Photographs in Acadia

I am going to Acadia/Bar Harbor in 2 weeks and would like to take some nice photos of lighthouses or breaking wave onto a cliff during the sunrise and sunset. Could anyone tell me exact spots and how to get there in details?

I found this nice picture of the Bass Harbor lighthouse. Could someone tell me how to get to the spot where I can take similar picture? Can someone tell me this picture is likely taken during the sunrise or sunset?

http://www.pbase.com/mrickard/image/66182261

Thanks very much..

Sunrise and Sunset Photographs in Acadia

The Bass Harbor light faces almost due south, the photographer stood to the east of the light, so it probably was an early evening shot. With the fog that comes close to the island, we get interesting light effects---how close it was to sunset, I can%26#39;t tell. Given that it was a 2 second exposure, there wasn%26#39;t much light.

The Bass Harbor light is located off Rte. 102A. I%26#39;m not aware that there are any paths or trails in the vicinity of the lighthouse. Most people, in fact, come away a little disappointed with the view of lighthouse that is available from the access. My guess is that the photographer brushwhacked his way down to the rocks.

For the sort of sunrise photos you mention, I suggest the Ocean Path, anywhere between Sand Beach and Otter Cliffs; the stretch between Thunder Hole and the Cliffs might be the best. For similar sunset opportunites, you might do best either at the end of the Wonderland or Ship Harbor trails---both accessed from Rte 102A and close to Bass Harbor light.

One word of caution: we tend to lose one or two people a year who were trying for the magnificent photo. Wear reliable footgear and stay alert.

Sunrise and Sunset Photographs in Acadia

Thanks, cwvoigt, for the info and caution. I will be very careful. Is it safe (crime-wise) to wonder alone very early in the morning or near dark in the evening. Or will I ever be alone? Afterall, it will be a long weekend (Memorial Day weekend).

Well, let me give you some advice. But, first thank you for taking an interest in my photos. It was a late afternoon shot, and I used a neutral density filter on the lens to knock some of the light down a bit. Depending on the amount of waves, I will vary the shutter speed on the lens from 1/5 of a second to several seconds, sometimes even longer. I watch the water and anticipate where it will go when the waves come in and break. I look for rocks it will break over and wait for the ';big one'; to come in and just before it breaks I will start taking the photo. I recommend using a tripod and a remote release. If you dont have a remote release, use your timer function. That way you will eliminate all camera shake after you push the shutter button. While out taking photos of the waves, I use the shutter-priority mode a lot (or manual mode). I will set the shutter speed and let the camera pick out the aperture. Or, I will start with a set shutter speed and aperture setting in manual mode and then vary it if the photo turns out too dark or too light. There are one or two photos in the album you referred to that were taken over a time period of 360 seconds (6 minutes). There was a lot of trial and error there.

You wont have a problem getting to Bass Harbor. Just follow directions given to you or ask someone. When you descend down to the lighthouse, it is a bit cramped if there are a lot of people there. One year my wife and I got there and there was a lot of fog with a big blob of sun directly behind the lighthouse. The only way for the photos to turn out was to venture out on the rocks and walk under the lighthouse over to the other side. The water was low, but it was very slippery and I dont recommend doing that. Sometimes I am a bit too adventurous. But, the photos turned out great with the thick fog from the other side of the lighthouse. For anyone wondering here though, I am very careful where I walk as to not hurt any plants, etc. Ask my wife, I will yell at her if she ventures off of the trail. And anyone reading this, please watch where you walk and take notice of the signs requesting you to stay on the trail and off of the plants. If we do our part, the Park will be around for a long, long time.

Sunrise shots.... Well, I go below Thunder Hole and fool around on the rocks in that area. Make sure you get there early (I get there while it is dark still) and get set up. Take a flash light, and have warm clothes - sometimes it is a bit chilly. Early in the morning, stay off the dark patches as they are usually the slippery seaweed. And slippery is an understatement. Watch the water, watch for where it is breaking, rocks it is rolling over, where the swells are, etc. But, get a spot early and stay till the sun comes up a bit. If it is really foggy, take a spin over to Jordan Pond. You can get some great early morning photos over there if it is foggy on the seaside.

Check my pbase site later tonight. In the Maine 2006 album, I have a few more to add of Bass Harbor and other things that might spark your interest. You also can email me if you want if you need more help, or we can talk here (maybe someone else will pick a tip or two up). Not sure if my email address shows up here, if not reply to this and let me know.

attblk03,

Here is a link to one of the photos in the fog that I had to walk under the lighthouse for. It was very, very slippery and difficult. Taken in 2004.

http://www.pbase.com/mrickard/image/66568808

Thanks very much, Crash758. I actually did not realize those photos belong to someone in TripAdvisor. Anyway, your photos are great. As you may be able to tell, I am quite new in photography, but very interested in taking nice photos. My current set of equipments is a Nikon D70s, a 18-55mm lens, a 50mm prime lens, a polarizer and a graduated ND filters, an old but sturdy tripod. I have been using a camera%26#39;s timer for longer shutter speed shots with some success.. but I think it will be a quite a challenge when it comes to timing it right for a wave to crash on a rock :)

Yes, it%26#39;s safe to travel alone before sunrise or near sunset. You probably won%26#39;t be very alone anywhere near sunset. But there are many places you can be alone at sunrise. The top of Cadillac will always have some people at sunrise. But I doubt there will be anyone at Thunder Hole. The sun rises at 4:48 a.m. on Monday, Memorial Day.

You should be good then. Use your wide angle, and your ND filters to knock the light down more to increase your shutterspeed. Experiment... as you use your equipment you will become better and more comfortable. Good luck!!

Thanks again, Crash758. Your photo of the lighthouse in the fog was awesome, but I will probably won%26#39;t try to wander there.

Now if you can help me identify some more places, that%26#39;d be nice.

www.pbase.com/hougangman/image/61193669

www.pbase.com/hougangman/image/61193675

What is your guess on the time of the day in the second photo?

The first one is at Jordan Pond, just below the pond house. The two mountains in the background are referred to as the Bubbles. I have some shots in my Maine 2006 album of it here...

http://www.pbase.com/mrickard/image/77590615

http://www.pbase.com/mrickard/image/77590616

The second one is from the shore along the park loop road below Thunder Hole in the general area where I go. You are looking at Otter Cliffs in the photo. This spot is a great sunrise spot.

http://www.pbase.com/mrickard/image/77590611

http://www.pbase.com/mrickard/image/77590602

http://www.pbase.com/mrickard/image/78851070

In regards to the Jordan Pond photos, the ones I took were when it was too foggy for sunrise shots along the coast. Morning, and probably evening, would be good where the water is calm and still. In general though, you want the morning sun or evening sun for that nice golden look wherever you decide to shoot.

In the second shot you are referring to, it is hard to tell the time of day. The sunrises out in the Atlantic to the left of the photo and sets kinda behind the photographer. With the way the shadows are and the clouds that are in the sky, I would say morning wih the sun peaking through some clouds.

Before you go, print off the tide tables for Bar Harbor at MaineHarbors.com The tables also give you the sunrise and sunset times.

If you want lots of rocks to show in your photos, shoot when sunrise (or sunset) coincides with low tide. If you want the rocks (and all the rockweed) mostly covered, go when high tide coincides with sunrise (or sunset).

Generally speaking, anything on the east side of the island (the part of the Park Loop Road that runs alongside Frenchman%26#39;s Bay) is good at sunrise. So, the afternoon before drive the Park Loop Road and get out and walk along the water and pick a spot to return to the next sunrise.

The only danger I%26#39;ve encountered being out really early is deer. Almost everytime I drive the Park Loop Road before sunrise, I see deer.

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