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Canada is the land of sunsets.
From Lake Erie to the Arctic Archipelago, the country spans nearly half the distance from equator to pole – most of it at high latitudes where the tilt of the planet’s axis means that the sun intersects the horizon with a lingering sideways sweep. In northern Canada, especially, sunsets are never rushed and twilight can last till dawn.
All of this makes Canadian sunsets less about crossing the boundary from day to night and more about a state of mind that hovers deliciously in between. It is the best of both worlds, when hard shadows and stark contrasts give way to a fluid interplay of light and dark.
Water, which Canada enjoys in abundance, is often a key part of the magic. It reflects the sky and provides a below-the-horizon counterpart to the magnificent scene above, like a mirror with a subtly different palette and texture. In this way, every lake becomes nature’s own theatre, and every beach or promontory with a view to the west doubles as a front-row seat to the greatest show on Earth.
We experience sunsets intensely because, like life itself, they blend certainty with surprise. Astronomers know, with mathematical precision, when the sun will set at any point on the planet. But how the sunset appears is entirely at the whim of the atmosphere – like a jazz improvisation on a Bach fugue.
The final ingredient is the beholder. Whether a sunset has many witnesses, or one, it is inevitably filtered through a multitude of possible moods, from exuberant to tranquil, thoughtful to consoled. It is our presence that makes every sunset unique.
On a world born turning, dawn summons us to the frantic business of life. Sunrises call out the beat of our existence.
But to glimpse the meaning of it all, and to imagine what we might become tomorrow, life teaches us to train our eyes on the last golden rays of daylight.
Don’t miss the sunset.
How do I photograph a sunset? Perspectives from the pros
- Meagan Hancock: Don’t snap just one photo of a sunset; take many. As you do, play around with angles and the exposure on your camera. You’re sure to get a good one out of the bunch!
- Pat Kane: Instead of photographing the sunset itself, think about photographing people and activities during a sunset, when the quality of light is beautiful and everyone feels at ease.
- Duane Cole: For photographing a sunset, or anything for that matter, scout out the location prior to actually taking any photos. You can visualize ahead of time as much as you want, but you have to be physically there and you give yourself time to find spots you like, how the light is moving, and how to best frame your shots – or you could miss out on the opportunity to make a really amazing photo.
- Ivan Semeniuk: It’s always worth checking what time the sun sets wherever you happen to be so you’re ready to catch it if it’s a good one. (Ditto for full moon rises!)
- Tim Smith: Follow the light and don’t get so focused on the setting sun that you miss an amazing moment cast in golden light behind you.
- Amber Bracken: The best part of travelling as a journalist is that I often get to know places through locals, as a visitor in their daily lives – and have learned every place has something special to offer. So when you find yourself at sunset, rather than simply photographing the sky, try to use that magic, golden light to emphasize the unique beauty of the people and places around you.
The Globe also asked readers to share their favourite sunset photos from across Canada, and they delivered. Enjoy the view, and happy Canada Day.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that Amber Bracken’s photo was taken in Inukjuak, in northern Quebec.