Sunsets...over-rated and maybe under-appreciated

What’s a pretty common phrase in newspapers’ singles’ ads? Yes, that’s right, “enjoys sunset strolls.” And what do we tend to see a lot of in friends’ and family members’ vacation photos? Yep, a glorious sunset. Oh, and another one. Wow, there’s another one. Um, could these be doubles?

What exactly is it about sunsets that causes them to be highly romanticized and perhaps over-photographed? I’ve often found myself wondering what all the fuss is about. The sun sets every single night, and I’d say at least 50% of the time, there will be amazing cloud formations and almost every colour of the rainbow will be discernable from the horizon up into the twilight sky.

Speaking of rainbows now, I get that. They’re not too common, can be single, double or even triple, faint or intense, to the north, south, east or west, and are prominently featured in enduring stories both biblical and fantastical. But sunsets…common, everyday sunsets…

Alright, I was kind of playing the devil’s advocate there. I am guilty of rolling my eyes a little with the “sunset stroll” cliche, but I have also developed and uploaded my fair share of sunset photos, some worthy of having been captured, others less so.  That’s the real draw I think: to attempt to capture such fleeting beauty. That, and the fact that although the sun will set another day, no two sunsets are ever the same. Having spent pretty much my entire life in settings that have ideal conditions for beautific sunsets, namely natural, unmarred horizons, I can attest to this.

I also have to think that for much of the population residing in urban centres where sometimes western views aren’t visible, let alone the actual point of the sun dipping below the horizon, there is a renewed fascination in the sun’s descent. So whether we get to see them as often as they happen, or only with the joys of travel, may we always appreciate one of nature’s finest art exhibits—the setting of the sun.

Comments

[jules]

it totally looks like the sun is setting in the wrong spot :-)