Summer Sunrises and Sunsets Assignment Winner Max Foster

“The Needles of the Black Hills in South Dakota are sheer granite rock formations that tower above the evergreen forest below,” explains Foster. “One of the most scenic areas is Cathedral Spires, with impossibly steep towers and pillars. I wanted to find an elevated location to view the entire area and climbed up a small peak nearby. As the sun dropped below the horizon, the entire sky lit up with incredible color. There were heavy winds that night, so I had to hold my tripod securely and use a fast shutter speed to minimize camera shake. Confident that I captured several sharp frames, I took a step back and admired the beautiful scenery. It was a fantastic way to end our time in the Black Hills.”

Nikon Z7, Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S, Really Right Stuff TVC-34L, BH-55 PCLR Ballhead. Exposure: 1/30 sec., f/8, ISO 200.