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Writer's picturePaul Cotter

One Scene, Three Views


Sunrise view of Kidston Island Lighthouse in Baddeck, Nova Scotia
6:15 a.m.

If you want to see how quickly and continually life changes every instant of every day, look closely at these three photos of a lighthouse in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. Photography can help us see and appreciate what our eyes might otherwise miss.


I took the first photo at 6:15 a.m. near the end of the “blue hour,” that time when the sun is just below the horizon and the sky is bathed in blue as it transitions between darkness and lightness. You'll notice the first hints of pink starting to whisper through the blue.


Sunrise view of Kidston Island Lighthouse in Baddeck, Nova Scotia
6:20 a.m.

Just five minutes later, everything has changed dramatically as the sun begins to peek into view. You can see the golden rim of light above the clouds, and the sky is filled with a warm orange tone. To make the scene even sweeter, a pair of ducks are gliding across the water in the foreground.


Early morning black & white view of Kidston Island Lighthouse in Baddeck, Nova Scotia
7:35 a.m.

One hour later, the water in front of the lighthouse is calm and the lighting has changed as the sun climbs into the sky – casting beautiful symmetrical reflections in the water. All the color and drama have drained from the sky by this time, so I processed this photo in black and white, drawing the eye to the simple shapes and bold contrasts.


One scene, three different views: A gentle reminder that nothing in the world is permanent and unchanging. Everything, everywhere is in a constant state of flow, arising and passing like the sunrise shimmering across the water.




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