Hi,
Last Tuesday, we embarked on a bit of an adventure, heading down to Vila Nova de Gaia in the pre-dawn hours. This wasn’t just any trip; we were on a mission to capture the supermoon in all its glory over the ocean and the iconic Capela do Senhor da Pedra. We arrived at the chapel around 4:30 in the morning, and let me tell you, it was an experience like no other.
Even with the moon shining brightly above, the stars twinkling, and the soft glow from the streetlights, the darkness was profound. It enveloped everything, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. But that was exactly why we had come. There’s something magical about seeing such a powerful natural phenomenon in the stillness of the early morning, with only the sound of the waves and the faint rustle of the wind for company.
Now, I’ll admit, the pictures we took might not win any awards for clarity—they’re dark, shadowy, and a bit mysterious. But I’m rather fond of them. They capture the essence of the moment as it was, a true reflection of what we saw with our own eyes. The darkness was so encompassing that it was almost like we were in a different world; just us, the chapel, and the supermoon casting its eerie glow over the ocean.
Chris, ever the tech wizard, had the GoPro set up with its Night Photo mode and his trusty Pixel 7 Pro ready with its Night Sight feature. The results were nothing short of incredible. Compared to my pictures, which truly reflect the pre-dawn darkness, Chris’s photos look almost like they were taken in the middle of the day! It’s amazing what technology can do, capturing details that we could barely see ourselves in the moment. The fog that drifted in from the ocean only added to the otherworldly feel, giving the photos an almost dream-like quality.
As for Opal and Onyx, they were with us the entire time, even though they don’t make an appearance in any of the photos or videos this time around. Since dogs aren’t allowed on the beach at this location, they had to stay up near the park while Chris ventured down to the shoreline to get those amazing shots of the chapel. But don’t worry—they didn’t miss out on the fun. We took them for a walk in the cool, dark morning air before Chris headed to the beach, and afterward, we stopped by a nearby park where Onyx had a blast chasing her ball, as usual. By the time we all piled back into the car, the dogs were more than content to curl up and snooze for the ride home.
If you’ve never experienced a place like this in the stillness before dawn, I highly recommend it. There’s something profoundly peaceful about being one of the only souls around, with the world still asleep and nature putting on a show just for you. We’ll definitely be back for more early-morning adventures, and who knows what we’ll capture next time?
Nola
Monique Clouse
Beautiful!