Day 2 of our photography retreat started with an early wake up call to capture sunrise. With a cup of coffee in hand I headed out the door with my new friends! We returned to Black Rock Beach and this time I took a little time to explore and enjoy the beauty before setting up my camera. I was enamored with the tiny rocks that made up the beach, so different from the sandy shores of the East Coast that I’m used to.
![rocks in hand at Black Rock Beach MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Rocks-in-hand-Black-Rock-Beach-MN-©SHP-2022-3108-768x1024.jpg)
The horizon was filled with storm clouds but it helped to create this beautiful sunrise glow on Lake Superior.
![sunrise glow on water at Black Rock Beach MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Sunrise-glow-on-water-Black-Rock-Beach-MN-©SHP-2022-0081-1024x683.jpg)
I wandered and explored to see more of the beach than I had the night before. As the sun rose higher the water turned a beautiful greenish-blue.
![Black Rock Beach MN sunrise](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Black-Rock-Beach-MN-sunrise-©SHP-2022-0119.jpg)
![cliffs at Black Rock Beach MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Black-Rock-Beach-MN-sunrise-©SHP-2022-0142.jpg)
And I had to capture the lovely curve of the beach but this time from a different angle. I climbed up to the rock in the above image (right)!
![sunrise at Black Rock Beach MN with curve of beach](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Black-Rock-Beach-MN-sunrise-©SHP-2022-0156-1024x683.jpg)
We headed back to the lodge to fuel up with breakfast before heading to our next location. Temperance River held so many opportunities and areas to explore. I enjoyed practicing long exposure and different compositions. I love the white strings flowing through this image.
![long exposure Temperance River MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Temperance-River-MN-©SHP-2022-0182-1024x683.jpg)
This is one of my favorites from the river. I love the combination of a long exposure to smooth out the water and the texture provided by the exposed rocks and fall foliage!
![long exposure Temperance River MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Temperance-River-MN-©SHP-2022-0203-1024x683.jpg)
One of the techniques Beth challenged us with on the retreat was to put ourself in the image. I balked at this idea in the beginning but as I saw others taking images at the river, I decided to give it a try. I’m pleasantly surprised with my result and I think I’ll have to do this more often. I like showing that I was there enjoying the beauty of nature!
![self portrait at Temperance River MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Self-Portrait-Temperance-River-MN-©SHP-2022-0302-1024x683.jpg)
As the day remained overcast and we didn’t expect to see a sunset we decided to drive north to Grand Marais. I was not expecting the strong wind and waves but loved every minute (and grateful I had my winter coat!!). The town of Grand Marais as seen from across the harbor. The fall color is just appearing on the hillside behind the town.
![town of Grand Marais MN with harbor](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Grand-Marais-town-MN-©SHP-2022-0327-1024x683.jpg)
There are so many things I love about this next image. The leading lines of the walkway to the lighthouse, the crashing waves, the lighthouse itself and then the mountains as they roll in the distance.
![Grand Marais Lighthouse MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/Grand-Marais-Lighthouse-MN-©SHP-2022-0319-1024x652.jpg)
Since the skies were overcast I decided to post process a few images in black and white, it just felt right.
![B&W wave crashing at Grand Marais MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/BW-Grand-Marais-MN-©SHP-2022-0355-1024x869.jpg)
![B&W Lighthouse Grand Marais Harbor MN](https://sharonhoustonphotography.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16470/2022/10/BW-Lighthouse-Grand-Marais-Harbor-MN-©SHP-2022-0399-1024x718.jpg)
The day ended with a wonderful meal together and lots of laughter! The laughter became hysterical as Charlotte and I relayed the story of the young man at the market who tried to convince me not to purchase the wine opener but instead use a Bic lighter to heat the end of the bottle and blow the cork 🙂 I bought the wine opener!!
Photograph what brings you Joy!
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