The snow this Winter has been ridiculous – more so because the Winter has been compressed into all of 30 days of snowfall. After the latest storm left, a bitter cold wind remained and I made the brilliant decision to go out to shoot the sunset.
Without a doubt, these were the most difficult conditions I have ever shot in. First, it took me a while to find a place to park the car with roads barely passable by one or two cars at a time. When I did, I found myself facing incredible wind gusts that pushed the single digit temperatures well below zero.
I started off shooting at Riverhead Beach but quickly crossed the causeway to capture the sunset taking shape over Devereux Beach. From my vantage point atop the causeway, I was treated to a spectacular view of blowing snow at Devereux Beach. I also quickly realized that the snow was blowing right at me with every errant gust. It took quick reflexes to keep the lens from snow spray while trying to capture the blowing snow backlit beautifully by the setting sun.
This image came from a burst of shots that worked out perfectly. I had zoomed out at this point to include the familiar structures on Devereux Beach as well as waves cresting in the ocean. Shortly after this image, the wind picked up even more and I was forced to pack up and make my way back to the shelter of my car. Incredible conditions but they made for a pretty incredible scene…