
The last few months have been pretty different for me. I’m pulling together a new project, which is months in the making and certainly taking up a lot of my time. Regardless, I still get out to photograph every morning. I’m always up before the sun and no matter where I am I’ll make the effort to scout a location and spend some time photographing.
I know it’s often said, and more than an overused cliché, but the first hour of daylight is the best time of the day. It’s why you should make the effort to get out of bed early. Waking up in the dark and witnessing the first colours light up the sky sets up your day. So set that alarm (put it in the next room to remove that snooze button temptation) and get out of bed, head outdoors and watch the world change from dark to light.
Here is some inspiration for you. Find the largest monitor you can, kick back for a few moments and scroll through this collection of early morning images.
Enjoy your day,
Joel Coleman…
Macmasters Beach

Manly Beach





Barrenjoey

Long Reef


Queenscliff







North Curl Curl

Somersby

Moruya River

Stephen Wilkins
Posted at 23:36h, 04 NovemberLooks absolutely beautiful every photo, with the way society is going stress to many people on the roads and everyone time poor, its good just to sit back and study each photo and appreciate how beautiful this planet is.
What a great way to make a living, taking amazing photos, being creative and being in tune with nature .
Very envious!
keep them coming
Cheers Steve
Coral Johnson
Posted at 00:40h, 05 NovemberDear Joel
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful portfolio of work. My favourites were North Curl Curl with the contrasting deep colours of grey versus blue; and the photos of Moruya River. Yes, dawn brings such positive energy and hope for the day as it unfolds.
Best wishes
Coral
Chad Barlow - seabelow292
Posted at 00:47h, 05 NovemberGood stuff Joel. Look forward to seeing what your next project entails. Keep the inspiration coming!
Trevor Mace
Posted at 01:02h, 05 NovemberHi Joel I notice you got down the South Coast to Moruya. We are another couple of hours further south at Tathra but if you are ever down this far you would get some great morning snaps of the Tathra Wharf. I am an early morning swimmer and hardly miss a sunrise here.
Joel Coleman
Posted at 01:04h, 05 NovemberCheers Trevor, I’ll make sure I get down there sometime..
Robyn
Posted at 02:27h, 05 NovemberGorgeous as always!
Bruce Dart
Posted at 02:51h, 05 NovemberHi Joel
I agree sunrise is the best part of the day, especially at sea
Keep up the great work
Regards Bruce
Rob Elliott
Posted at 04:06h, 05 Novemberwow … quite humbling , very relaxing and totally beautiful
Benny
Posted at 08:51h, 05 NovemberBeautiful Joel!!
susan ruggles
Posted at 09:55h, 05 NovemberHi Joel love the photos, they are so lovely, I love my picture my son brought for my Christmas present, brought off you at Manly its got pride of place in my house in England lovely photos you send.
regards Sue
PJ
Posted at 11:52h, 05 NovemberGreat stuff. I will be getting up early now…
PB
Posted at 21:14h, 05 NovemberHello Joel
Just a note to thank you for what you do. I have spent 30 years in Corporate travelling the world working in innovation, many planes, been everywhere and not really seen much. I am out now, over it.
I have spent the last year mulling over what next, your email this morning reminded me of who I really am, a chef who liked making surfboards – in the 70”s. Seeing your pictures has reminded me there are better places than the Qantas/Emirates lounge.
All the best.
Andrew Wilde
Posted at 01:37h, 06 NovemberHi Joel, love those photos. As a lifelong surfer I to know the joy of getting out for the dawn patrol. There is no better feeling than paddling out as the sun breaks the horizon and sitting out the back to witness Mother Natures light show. Keep up the great work.
Karen
Posted at 01:49h, 06 NovemberBest time of day, sunrise & sunset, so inspiring!
Ellie
Posted at 04:03h, 06 NovemberThanks so much for these amazing photos! You got a great job and thank you for being unique with your snapshots, wonderful work!.
tom-paul jagg
Posted at 07:06h, 07 NovemberJoel, You are the Photographic Ambassador to Australia and Sydney in particular mate. Ive got mates coming in Feb from Washington State so if you can also put in a good word for the weather to be picture perfect, please do. Ill put in a good word for you if you can do that.
You’re an Icon and asset to Manly mate. Cheers, tpj
trev syme
Posted at 07:32h, 10 NovemberThanks Joel, I have enjoyed your work for some time now and it’s always a pleasure to see what you have been doing. your work is always fresh and interesting and yes often inspirational in some way.
I think it’s wonderful. so once again thank you.
regards.
Jen
Posted at 12:14h, 10 NovemberJoel thanks for sharing the beauty you capture perfectly … I have seen many a sunrise at Freshy …not sure if this first one is Freshy but either way it reminds me of how blessed we are to see the ocean at sunrise and be there when a new day begins. Love your eye for sutle beauty. Thank you.
astrid
Posted at 23:50h, 12 Novemberthankyou for the email reminder-I would have missed some amazing images of many of my favourite places.
Lyn
Posted at 19:05h, 20 NovemberHello! You’re doing very well, so happy for you.
Beautiful images. Well worth the lifelong early rising!!
Some of us have to get out of bed super early for less creative reasons these days – my little girls especially loved the crab photo of course 😉
Keep well x