One of my favorite places to shoot is The Gem Theater in Kannapolis, NC.   I have probably shot well over 500 photos of the Gem or with it in the frame somehow.  I also love to shoot sunsets and sunrises; there is something about that golden hour, it brings out colors we do not normally get to see.

I have seen the many many shots of "Manhattanhenge" that happens in NYC twice a year, and thought that it would be cool to shoot something like that in my little town of Kannapolis.  This alignment of the sun and street only happens twice a year, and with my schedule I am normally not around.  This time I was home and decided to try and capture this shot.  

MONDAY NIGHT

I got up there Monday and the clouds were just so thick there was no real sunset, it just vanished.  

I did get a few cool shots of some clouds, including one great shot of an "Angel". 

Was shooting and looked up to see this awesome formation.  Lasted only a few mins, but was great!

TUESDAY NIGHT

Windshield RaindropsWindshield Raindrops Windshield RaindropsWindshield Raindrops Windshield RaindropsWindshield Raindrops Windshield RaindropsWindshield Raindrops

I was about to give up, it was 8:20 and I think sunset was 8:34 or so, the sky was solid and black toward the setting sun. I drove around to where i could get a better view down the street.  Parked over by the train tracks.  Got out started to walk around. The rain was just a drizzle at this point.  As I got up to the corner I could see a little sliver of sky (or I thought it was sky) under the heavy clouds. 

Little Slice of Sky and SunLittle Slice of Sky and Sun

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD

I had to get out into the middle of the street to get the shot I wanted, lucky its not super busy in Ktown at 8:30 in a Tuesday.  There were a few cars, had to run out, get a few shots then get back to the curb.  Did this a few times.  Got maybe 8 shots, only 1 was close to what i had been looking for.

The sun was just about gone, the clouds were moving back in to close up the hole, and the sky started to glow that amazing orange color.  One of the things I love about sunsets/sunrises is you have no idea whats coming, and the sky can change completely in just a few seconds. 

I managed this amazing shot.  Granted I was hoping for a more dramatic sky and no cars in sight, but, we take what God gives us.
Hope you like it.

Orange GemThe sun only sets directly down this street for about 3-4 days a year. Have been trying to get a good shot of it for several years. Waited out the big storms clouds and the rain, the sun came out for about 1-2 mins, then was gone again.

Thanks for visiting, please comment, let me know what you think of this shot, and of my work in general, or if you have any questions.

David