Virginia is undeniably one of the most beautiful places on earth. From soaring mountains to rolling hills to miles of beautiful ocean coastline, we have access to an immense array of natural beauty. But add the right light, and these already beautiful scenes transform into something even greater. The following images were captured by photographers around the state, showing that surreal moment when the light turns an ordinary world into magic.
- Virginia Beach sunrise.
Botany Bob / flickr
- Coal Tower Silhouette in Charlottesville.
Bob Mical / flickr
- Approaching sunset in Newport News.
Tony Alter / flickr
- Botetourt County beauty at sunset.
nedim chaabene / flickr The sun dips behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, but does not go quietly in this breathtaking photograph.
- Sea oats in silhouette at the northern tip of Virginia Beach.
derrickcollins / flickr
- Sun over the Chesapeake Bay.
Photo credit: John Laurie via Only in Virginia
- The Chesapeake Bay goes gold and blue at a Phoebus marina.
Matt Barnett / flickr We are so used to the reds, pinks and purples of sunset, that sometimes we forget how the sun can turn the world into pure gold.
- Sunrise at McIntire Park in Charlottesville.
Bob Mical / flickr
- Assateague Island sunrise on the Eastern Shore.
Zach Frailey (The Uprooted Photographer)
- The sun peeks over Cahas Mountain near Boone’s Mill in Franklin County.
Donnie Nunley / flickr
- An old barn at sunrise in Chesapeake.
Jeff Self / flickr The position of the sun and the timing of the photographer work in perfect harmony to catch this sunburst.
- Dawn Patrol at Virginia Beach.
Barclay Nix / flickr If you’ve ever wondered why surfers get up so early, this picture explains it.
- Sunrise at City Park in Portsmouth.
Clyde / flickr
- Shrimping in Chincoteague.
Zach Frailey (The Uprooted Photographer) The sunset makes a picture-perfect backdrop as this shrimp boat returns to dock on Chincoteague Island.
- A sunset view from Stony Man on the Skyline Drive.
Eric B. Walker / flickr
- Raven’s Roost at sunset.
Charles Payne / flickr The lone figure silhouetted against the sunset sky in the photo tells a story in itself.
- Rockfish Valley fairy tale.
Bob Mical / flickr The way the light comes through the clouds in this exquisitely composed image makes the valley look like the setting of a fairy tale.
- When sunset turns the landscape into a painting…
Donnie Nunley / flickr …this is what it looks like.
- The Midtown Tunnel in Norfolk with sunlight accents.
Matthew Sullivan / flickr
- First light at Great Falls Park in McLean.
Tony Beverley / flickr
- Sunday Park in Midlothian.
Jillian Chilson / flickr
As always, many thanks and much respect to our state’s talented photographers. What do you think of these incredible works? Do you have a favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Botany Bob / flickr
Bob Mical / flickr
Tony Alter / flickr
nedim chaabene / flickr
The sun dips behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, but does not go quietly in this breathtaking photograph.
derrickcollins / flickr
Photo credit: John Laurie via Only in Virginia
Matt Barnett / flickr
We are so used to the reds, pinks and purples of sunset, that sometimes we forget how the sun can turn the world into pure gold.
Zach Frailey (The Uprooted Photographer)
Donnie Nunley / flickr
Jeff Self / flickr
The position of the sun and the timing of the photographer work in perfect harmony to catch this sunburst.
Barclay Nix / flickr
If you’ve ever wondered why surfers get up so early, this picture explains it.
Clyde / flickr
Zach Frailey (The Uprooted Photographer)
The sunset makes a picture-perfect backdrop as this shrimp boat returns to dock on Chincoteague Island.
Eric B. Walker / flickr
Charles Payne / flickr
The lone figure silhouetted against the sunset sky in the photo tells a story in itself.
The way the light comes through the clouds in this exquisitely composed image makes the valley look like the setting of a fairy tale.
Donnie Nunley / flickr
…this is what it looks like.
Matthew Sullivan / flickr
Tony Beverley / flickr
Jillian Chilson / flickr
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