Predawn hours can yield striking light, and the stillness calms water, which can lead to extraordinary clarity in reflections. Learn to watch the weather and use these precious hours.

A pensive woman pays respect at the Medal of Honor memorial.

This photo is an example of why you shouldn’t be afraid to engage other people and bystanders in your photography. I was shooting the Memorial, and from the Indiana State Museum right behind me came this woman in a beautiful evening gown. I complimented her on the gown, and asked her to stand next to the light bollard there. This backlit the gown, and since I was looking at exposures in the 4 second range, I used a 6 volt flashlight lantern to lightpaint this side of her during the exposure. The light breeze and her natural movement coupled with the long exposure gave the skirt the ghostly aspect it has.