What happens when the sun finds its way through the quiet spaces we usually walk past?
I’m honored to share that my photograph “Beneath the Shadows of San Clemente Pier” received an Honorary Mention in ViewBug’s Sun Sparks Photo Contest. The theme focused on moments where sunlight becomes the subject—those fleeting sparks of light that transform an ordinary scene into something memorable. Under this pier, the sun did exactly that.
The moment before the moment
I didn’t arrive chasing a shot. I arrived curious. Beneath the pier, everything felt muted—cool tones, deep shadows, slow water. The sun was present, but not expressive yet. Most people would keep walking. I stayed.
Minute by minute, the light changed its tone. It slipped lower, grew warmer, and began pressing against the structure instead of overpowering it. The pier didn’t fight back. It framed the light, narrowed it, and held it just long enough to make it matter.
That was the moment I raised the camera.
What this image is really about
This photograph isn’t about a pier or even the sun. It’s about restraint.
- The light doesn’t flood the scene. It earns its place.
- The shadows don’t disappear. They give the brightness something to push against.
- The water doesn’t steal attention. It quietly mirrors what’s happening above.
Everything had a role, and nothing needed to shout.
Why it stood out
The Sun Sparks contest celebrates images where light transforms a scene. What I love about this recognition is that it honors subtlety. The spark here is brief, controlled, and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.
That’s often where the strongest photographs live.
Receiving an Honorary Mention among such a wide range of interpretations reinforces something I believe deeply: light doesn’t need to be dramatic to be powerful. Sometimes its strength comes from timing, balance, and knowing when not to intervene.
Thank you for following along and supporting this journey. The next time you find yourself beneath something familiar, pause. The light may still be deciding what it wants to say.
View the image award here.
Click here to purchase this award-winning image.