Photography / Sri Lanka

Shoot Before Dawn In Galle, Sri Lanka

Before Dawn in Galle

Wake up before dawn in Galle.

The seaside Sri Lankan city, wrapped in its colonial fort and perched on turquoise water, stuns at all hours. The muggy hot streets are filled with old men on bikes, travelers in cafés, schoolchildren on fieldtrips.

But before sunrise are the secret hours, when people sleep and the air is cool.

Before Dawn in Galle

Before Dawn in Galle

It wasn’t my idea to wake up so early, and the cocoon of my bed held me tight. I crawled out anyway, though, lured by the whispered promise of the good light—a photographer’s weakness. Our trio wandered down the empty streets in the blue hour before sunrise until we reached boats. Fisherman groan and shout by the beach, tugging in their boats and butchering their bloody fish with the thick thwack of knives.

No one seemed to mind us as we milled about, taking pictures.

Before Dawn in Galle

Before Dawn in Galle

Before Dawn in Galle

Before Dawn in Galle

The light was diffuse and pink, adding pastel glowing colors to the scene. There’s something special about that dawn warmth; less harsh than the midday sun, less golden than the hours before the sun sets, yet more delicate, quieter.

This was a scene I couldn’t have found, or shot, without waking up at 5am. So, if you want to see a different side of Galle; set your alarm and wander its quiet streets before dawn.

Before Dawn in Galle

4 Comments

  • Nate
    July 15, 2015 at 6:07 PM

    Great set of photos!

    Reply
    • Katrinka
      July 15, 2015 at 6:20 PM

      Thank you! (Took me a minute to figure out why I had to approve your comment… #trollmadic)

      Reply
  • Collin J Orthner
    March 2, 2016 at 1:40 AM

    I stumbled onto your blog today for the first time. To say I am impressed is stating it a bit mildly. Really enjoying “traveling” with you. This set from Sri Lanka is especially great! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Katrinka
      March 3, 2016 at 6:16 PM

      Thank you so much for such kind words! I’m glad you enjoy it– I hope you stick around 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply