Black and White

The Bubbles

Just off the path leading to the Jordan Pond house in Acadia National Park you will find this scene of the iconic Bubbles. Twin mountain peaks rising behind the pristine waters of Jordan Pond (source of drinking water for local towns) provide a great backdrop for a great family hike around the pond. Sample the popovers at the Jordan Pond House. A treat that immediately brings me back to my childhood.

The Pier

Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Home to nightclubs, bars, mini golf and a waterfront amusement park. Old Orchard is pure beach kitsch . On a coast dotted with stately, reserved, upscale towns, OOB is a blast of touristy bedlam that makes it stand out from the crowd. Some people love it, some people hate it. I think it has it's place and you can't argue that the miles of beach that stretch north into Scarborough and south of the iconic pier into Cape Ellis will appeal to almost any visitor. This image took home first place in the Maine Photography Show black and white category.

Wheel in the Sky Keeps on Turning

Yeah don't know what that title means exactly. This is the old ferris wheel at Palace Playland in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. This particular ferris wheel has since been replaced by a wheel with big generic plastic buckets. I miss these burnished burgundy cars and the old school bare bulbs of this version. So much more character.

Time Warp at the Portland Head Lighthouse

The Sun rises on a cloudy day over the Portland Head Lighthouse in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. A long exposure helps smooth the water and add motion to the clouds in this take on the iconic lighthouse at Fort Williams. If you look closely enough you can see a fisherman out on the rocks to the left of the light. Only fisherman and photographers are crazy enough to be out before the sun rises along the coast in the summer. We do get the best views though. And if you're wondering how a vertical panoramic print like this would fit in to your decor I have a large print of this image that fits perfectly in between two windows. Just sayin.

Cobblestone Bridge

Jordan Stream flows below Cobblestone Bridge south of Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park. The stone bridges scattered throughout the park support the network of carriage paths that crisscross the park. As a kid we used to bike on the paths in the summer and ski them in the winter. When I got older they were a perfect way to get off the tourist filled roads on my bike. I used to know these paths like the back of my hand. Nowadays I barely remember where the entrances are located. I love the way that fall colors sometimes look in black and white. In this case the brightly colored leaves turn white providing great contrast against the dark shadows of the stones.

Moonscape

It wasn't until my second trip out to Death Valley that I made it out to Mesquite Sand Dunes. Truly a fantastic shooting experience. If you've got any water or weatherproofing gear use it! Blowing sand refreshes the landscape every day but will lodge in both gear and person in ways that will make your day uncomfortable. It should go without saying but it's hot and trudging up and down these dunes is more than a walk in the park.

Rattlesnakes!

Well, not really any real rattlesnakes. This image was taken in Rattlesnake Canyon, Page, Arizona. Unlike nearby Upper and Lower Antelope canyons Rattlesnake Canyon was completely deserted. Partially because only certain guide companies are permitted to lead people through, partially because it had just dried out from flooding and partially because you need a 12 foot ladder to get in and out. After the chaos of Upper Antelope it was a great respite to just wander through the tighter confines of Rattlesnake. Our guides sat at the entrance eating their lunch and just let us explore the colors and textures to our hearts content.

Portland Bug Lighthouse

Portland Bug Lighthouse, Maine. With great views across Casco Bay of Portland, Bug Light Park in South Portland, Maine is a popular place to walk your dog or fly a kite (I say this because every time I'm there I see somebody walking their dog or flying a kite...). Also home to Portland Bug Lighthouse. This was actually the first image that I sold as a print so it does hold a special place in my heart.

Path through the dunes winds towards the Beehive near Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, Maine.

Custom House Tower

One of the oldest, proudest and most recognizable buildings along the Boston skyline is the Custom House Tower, now home to a Marriott Timeshare. At least the building is still in use I suppose.

The Burning Bush

Valley of Fire, Nevada. Storms like this don't roll in too often up here in the Northeast so when I get the chance to witness scenes like this it's always pretty special. I was actually in the middle of photographing the sunset to the West when I turned around and saw this storm system rolling in across the desert. I made a mad dash down into this little valley looking for some foreground interest and came away with this image. The clouds here look to me like tendrils snaking down from the heavens. What they're grasping for I have no idea.

Rock Beach, Otter Cliffs, Acadia National Park, Maine

The ocean flows back out through the rocks on the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine.

Serenity

Nobody who's been to Old Orchard Beach during high tourist season will ever mistake it for being serene. This is one of the things that I love about photography, it's up to you as an artist to convey mood, place, emotion. It's all within your control.

Rattlesnake Canyon, Page, Arizona