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Photographers Flock to Unique Manhattan Beach Sunset Photo Ops

Nov 14, 2021 09:38PM ● By Jeanne Fratello
On Sunday, photographers flocked to Manhattan Beach for two unique sunset photo opportunities: the Light Gate sculpture sunset and the "Pierhenge" sunset.

At the Light Gate sculpture outside Manhattan Beach City Hall, the sun sets perfectly through the "keyhole" at the center of the sculpture just two days out of the year (November 14 and January 27). 

Sunday's Light Gate sunset drew a small crowd of photographers and families. Unlike in previous years, where photography has been a free-for-all, this year people formed a line so that each photo-seeker could have an individual chance at a shot.

The crowd was bolstered by a free book giveaway sponsored by Manhattan Beach's Library Commission. Commission members gave away more than 200 free books, plus bookmarks and candy, to curious readers. 

Down at the beach, a separate group of photographers (both amateur and professional) gathered at the Manhattan Beach Pier for "Pierhenge" to capture the perfect sunset between the pilings of the pier. (Coincidentally - and we are still trying to figure out why this is the case - Pierhenge also occurs on November 14 and January 27.)

Local photographer Jefferson Graham described the gathering as a "wild scene" with at least 100 photographers and beach lovers crowding under the pier. "Photographers of every stripe were there, from the vertical smartphone crowd, to serious folks - and then there was John Post on his giant ladder," said Graham.

(Pierhenge photos courtesy of Jefferson Graham and Evelyn Schmitt.)

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