As I waited in the dark for this shot, there wasn’t a single star twinkling through the pre-dawn sky. Usually that means there won’t be a great sunrise. In fact it seemed hopeless with the thick overhanging cloud, but I decided to wait and see what the daylight would bring. This photograph just goes to prove that waiting can bring great treasures. As the sun rose, the light was spilled through a great rent along the horizon. For me, it was not only a general parable of gloomy circumstances being transformed into something glorious. It was a specific reminder of what had happened in my own life – years ago – in this very area of Mona Vale. I had lived in this suburb for almost ten years, commuting into the city for a nine-to-five job; some of my first panoramic shots were taken along these beaches. It was those shots that helped inspire me to leave my frustrating day job and finally pursue my dream of becoming a professional photographer.