Beautiful Sunrise over the Wedge and Newport Coast

By September 25, 2012December 31st, 2023California, Surf

During August I made a few trips up to the Wedge to test out a new surf photography housing. I like to be there early to give myself a chance to see what the ocean is doing between the sand and the jetty, and to warm up and wake up. One morning there was some cloud cover that lit up beautifully as soon as the sun cleared the hills to the east of Newport Beach. My camera was setup for very low light, high shutter speed photography, which means a high ISO (I think about 3200 or so). When I shot this image I figured the high ISO would kill off the colors — as my past cameras have done — but in truth the image has turned out to be one of my favorites of the year. Perhaps it is because I remember plenty of sunrises just like this, sitting on the same sand, 30-40 years ago when I grew up in Newport. I shot this with my camera inside its housing, not yet wet, with fins and wetsuit but totally dry. I hopped in the water a few seconds after this and photographed the sunrise from within the waves but this image is still my favorite of the morning.

Sunrise at the Wedge. The Wedge, a notorious and famous shorebreak at the end of the Newport Peninsula, is seen here under a huge dawning sky and sporting a small but fun swell, Newport Beach, California

Sunrise at the Wedge. The Wedge, a notorious and famous shorebreak at the end of the Newport Peninsula, is seen here under a huge dawning sky and sporting a small but fun swell.
Image ID: 27991
Location: The Wedge, Newport Beach, California, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!