My first post to GMG had me wondering what on earth I could possibly contribute to an already amazingly talented group of contributors. My daughter Abbey made it pretty simple for me by saying just start with what you know…photography! I picked up a camera about 7 years ago after my kids went to college thinking it would be something to pass the time and an outlet for my creativity, but as it turns out, the camera is evil! It makes you do evil things! It makes you learn stuff about what you are photographing. Like when the sun rises and sets (seriously…I had no idea that the best part of sunrise was actually before the sun rose!) So since this is a new beginning for me, and spring is in the air I thought I’d start this day off with a sunrise! You can visit lots of areas and see many sunrises, but I honestly can say that Cape Ann has THE MOST spectacular sunrises and sunsets. No…I’m not a morning person, in fact, I love sleep, but remember I told you the camera is evil? It makes you do evil things?? Well it makes you get up early too! So here you go….pick a day….get up early… bring your camera or just bring a blanket and a cup of coffee and treat yourself with the peacefulness and beauty of the early morning! My favorite place to go is Good Harbor Beach and on any given day there are a half dozen cars parked there and a handful of people on the beach walking and waiting. This morning’s sunrise was hindered by the clouds, so I’m sharing one of my favorites from GHB. I’d love to hear where everyone’s favorite places for sunrises are (on or off Cape Ann)!
(Nikon D610, 1/15 sec, F8, ISO 200 – shot in Raw with Lightroom edits)

Spectacular Bridgette!!! I tried this morning too but it turned out to be a total dud. I love GHB too for sunrises. and anywhere along the backshore.
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Where did you end up? I got a “gleam” of the sun between the clouds but nothing earth shattering. Still… a peaceful mild morning!
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Aaaaaaand #BOOM! Bridgette Comes Out Of The Gate with a 107mph Fastball Right Down The Center Of The Plate!
Kablammie!
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Aaaagreed ~ sunrise is the perfect place to start! Beautiful photo and thoughts. Bridgette, I’m looking forward to more 😉
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Thanks Joe….but maybe it’s not the camera….maybe you are evil for luring me into the GMG web haha!! ;P
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BTW ~ Bass Rocks is my favorite place ~
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Thanks Mary! Any special spot along the shore you like best?
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Welcome! Great pic!
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Thank you!
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Beautiful photo and your are so right about the camera is evil, when on Shore Road taking photos of sunrise or sea smoke in my pajamas. So happy to have you join the GMG family.
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Thank you Donna…I’ve been known to run through the neighborhood in my pjs chasing birds lol! You are in good company 😀
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Well, if this is an example of your photography, I am going to be even MORE impressed with GMG! I love this picture! Wish I had taken it! I don’t live in Gloucester, but my favorite place/time to take great pictures is in the woods right after a good rain storm.
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Thanks for your kind words Paula! I’ll need to drag myself away from the ocean and venture into the woods!!
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I’m so excited that Glostah’s finest has joined the team!
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Awww shucks…you’re making me blush! 😛
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“shot in Raw with Lightroom edits.” I am not a photography expert and everyone else takes photos much better I do. Am I correct that “raw’ is a camera setting? Also, does Lightroom refer to some type of computer program you use to “change’ the picture before you print it? thanks
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Hey Warren..great question! I’m no professional by any means, but here is my understanding. Most point and shoot camera’s shoot in JPEG, which means the camera is making the decisions for you, deciding your color, contrast, white balance, etc. A DSLR camera has the “RAW” option. Where it takes in all the data of the photo, but then allows you to “process” or “develop” the picture in an external software. Much like you would “develop” film in the old days but waaaaayyyy easier in the digital age! The program I use almost 99.9% of the time is Adobe Lightroom. It’s great for editing photos without using Photoshop which can be cumbersome for the layman. Once in a while I’ll edit in Photoshop if there’s a flaw in the pic I need to fix.
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I’d love to hear more of the best spots. I’m an hour away but once we hit daylight savings, it’s on my bucket list for me and my son to come up. Our goal is Twin Lights in the background. Long? Penzance? We got “one shot” when we come up!
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Penzance is a great spot, Long Beach too…although any location is subject to the time of year and where the sun is that day. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of apps for that! I use an app called LightTrac on my iphone. Put in the location and day and it will tell you when the sun will rise and where. Another of my favs is the Boulevard or Stage Fort Park.
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Gorgeous! My favorite spot is Niles Pond.
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I haven’t been there in a while…ill have to venture back one of these mornings!
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Greta Shot! Welcome to GMG
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Thanks James!!
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Excellent shot indeed to me along lanes cove,5 minutes from house. Plum cove beach lot’s of baseball in the field across the street ward 7 then. I heard Joey welcome you aboard at Felicia’s podcast. “Welcome on board GMG from a transplant here in “South Korea across the big pond!” Born in Summaville and moved to Lanesville when I was two right there on Washington Street (One of local rascals) 🙂 Dave & Kim :-)…
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Thanks Dave! I live in the Willow Rest area just down the road….love my Plum Cove sunsets! I’m sure I could dig one (or 100) out for you! 😀
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🙂 Thanks – Had a friend up the hill from there (Willow Rest) in my youth so went to Willow rest often and passed it on the way to school (Beeman) everyday, That was before the new Lanesville School called plum cove school was being built. School up off hickory street. the hill. They tore down the old Lanesville school on Washington street and is now a park. Thanks! 🙂 Dave & Kim 🙂
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I have always loved sunrise on the headlands in Rockport. We used to pick the wild blueberries on the way back to Gram’s house, sometimes a few berries even made it to her kitchen, though we ate most of them on the way.
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Beautiful photo, Bridget. Good Harbor has some fantastic sunrises. My desktop page is a gorgeous sunrise photo taken from there by our talented Kim Smith. The angle is from the creek after low-tide, so the beautiful sky and cumulus clouds are reflected in the water….a total winner!
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Thank you! Yes, Kim takes beautiful photos I’m sure it’s a great scene. GHB never disappoints 😀
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Long Beach as the sun rises between the twin lights on Thacher Island.
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The headlands in Rockport
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