Any time on the beach at Pawleys Island, South Carolina, is magical for us. But with this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #186: Low Light from Sofia, we only had to look back to a brief stay in December 2021 to find that we were truly in love with night-time at the beach.
The night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.
Vincent Van Gogh
Even without meaning to, we sometimes find ourselves on the beach at dusk. And it feels as if darkness overtakes us quickly but probably because we’re focused on so much more — the rolling in of the waves, the last glimpses of shells on the beach, the thinning out of crowds. We hardly notice that house lights are gradually come on and people turn to the working of puzzles, the reading of books, the chiming in with to conversations among those lucky enough to be at the beach.
Sometimes we stroll Atlantic Avenue to catch sundown on the marsh and how the lingering rays provide backlighting for the sweet chapel and reflections beneath the dock beside the church.
From our rooftop widow’s walk, we watch as low lights of evening cast shadows on roofs and gabled windows — the last colors of day giving it their last gasp before setting.
Visiting in December also affords another low-light adventure as Brookgreen Gardens invites residents and guests to tour the grounds where tiny lights delight and surprise. From strings of light draped from tall trees dripping in Spanish moss to reflections on pools of water, the little lights laugh at the dark as they form a fairyland from one section to another.
Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Edgar Allan Poe
Just before sunset, we drive down to the North End, park the car, and walk the access bridge to the beach. It is there that we wrap ourselves in low, lower, lowest light and find solace beside Pawleys Pier. In contrast to the openness of sun-filled days, it’s the time of dreams, of reflections, of unsolved problems of life that will all be exposed again the following day.
But for now, it’s the magic of night.
For more great low-light shots, head to Photographia and Sofia’s photo challenge #186. You’ll find more of the stuff of which dreams are made.
Travel in the waning light,
Rusha & Bert
Anne Sandler
Amazing low light images Rusha! The pier is my favorite. And your images of Brookgreen Gardens are so festive. Well done!
Oh, the Places We See
We love that old pier — in broad light or at dusk. It’s just a great walk into another world!
WanderingCanadians
Lovely pictures that showcase the beauty of the lightness in the dark. I love all the holiday decorations in the Brookgreen Gardens and that sunset is gorgeous.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. Your comments mean a lot.
Indira
I loved all.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. It’s really a great time to walk the beach!
JohnRH
Excellent. I love the long pier shot.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I love that one as well and wish I were there!!
Amy
The beach at Pawleys Island is my favorite, the low light and reflections are incredibly beautiful. Your night lights at Brookgreen Gardens are magic!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I guess I did have some low light shots after all. And that’s what’s fun about these challenges: you look at your photos in new ways! Thanks, Amy.
Sofia Alves
Your photos of Pawleys Island reminded me what I loved the most while on my summer holidays, that time of the day was always magical, as are your shots. As are the ones from Brookgreen Gardens. What a wonderful post, thank you!
Oh, the Places We See
Night strolls are pretty fun. Pawleys has outlawed the use of flashlights to protect the turtles looking to come onto the beach to lay eggs. We love it, too — no lights mean the dreamy time of evening is unspoiled.
Toonsarah
I love being by the sea as it gets dark, hearing the waves without properly seeing them. You’ve conjured up that atmosphere beautifully with that final shot 😃 And the lights in Brookgreen Gardens look magical!
Oh, the Places We See
We, too, love walking the beach in the evening, allowing darkness to overtake us. Who says you have to sit in the sun all the time to enjoy the beach??thanks for commenting!
Toonsarah
Actually sitting in the sun is the only way I DON’T like to enjoy the beach 😆
kzmcb
Oh, that last shot of the jetty! Magic.
Oh, the Places We See
It’s a favorite of mine, too! And right now, I wish I were back to see it again. Thanks for checking it out.
Carolyn Pearre
Oh, Rusha! Your post is wonderful. So glad you captured the special evenings at our favorite place.
LOL, Carolyn
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. When I saw the challenge words -low light – I remembered that we had been out and about several evenings. In fact, it’s one of my favorite times to walk the beach! Hope all is well with you and we’re back in the sand soon!