Before We Explain the World

Photography by Lu Heng

5The Scale of Time

Openings in the Clouds

Story 38 of 51 · 9 photographs

Find the bright opening in the clouds, then follow the light down to the water. A small boat gives the vast pattern of light and shade a sense of scale. Where does the light enter, and where does your eye stop?

  1. A pale sun shines through cloud above a bright path on the sea, with a dark island and a distant ship.
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    Golden light over an island and a ship

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  2. Sunbeams open through heavy cloud above the sea, with a dark island and a headland at the left.
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    Sunrays breaking over the sea

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  1. A narrow opening in dark cloud pours light onto a ship and distant islands.
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    A ship beneath shafts of light

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  2. Broad sunrays fan down over calm sea and a dark island, with a curved terrace wall in the foreground.
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    Sunrays over the sea

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  3. Golden light falls through cloud onto the sea, with a dark island and a ship.
    264

    Sunrays, island and ship

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  1. In black and white, a bright disc lights the sea beside a dark cliff silhouette.
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    A bright disc above the sea in black and white

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  2. A pale sun shines through haze and reflects straight down the sea.
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    Bright sunlight on the sea horizon

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  1. A star-shaped light above the horizon leaves a long reflection on dark ripples.
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    Light reflected on dark water

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  2. A cargo ship crosses a dark sea beneath a long yellow-orange band of cloud.
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    A ship beneath an orange horizon

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