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Solitude

All along the coast of Maine you will find a host of different canoes, skiffs, rowboats and all different manner of small boats like this one tied up waiting to take working fishermen and lobstermen to their work boats. This weathered and worn canoe rests along the beach in at Pine Point in Scarborough, Maine.

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.

Sand Beach Nights

The Milky Way rises over Sand Beach in Acadia National Park, Maine. Local ordinances in Bar Harbor and other area towns are aimed at curbing light pollution keeping the skies around Acadia some of the darkest in the Northeast allowing for star shows that few on the eastern coast ever get to see. This image was awarded Best in Show at the 2013 Maine Photography Show.

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.

Nubble Nights

The Milky Way rises on a frigid night over Nubble Lighthouse . Windblown snow remains the day after "Superstorm Nemo" battered the coast and left behind 3 feet of snow as a friendly reminder of the power of Mother Nature.

Beaming

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona. The shooting experience in the slot canyons of Page were nothing like what I expected. I wrote a blog post on it a few years back but the short story is that the canyons are filled to the brim with tourists on a daily basis. A good photo guide is essential as they know the schedule when the light beams fire into the canyon and will hold the hordes back while you take your shots. Regardless, the canyons are spellbinding and the colors, textures and layers that greet you around every corner are awe inspiring.

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.

The Way

Biddeford Pool, Maine. My 11 year old son had RSVP to go shooting with me this morning and after a surprisingly easy 2am wakeup call from his top bunk we made the trek down to Biddeford Pool. I had a few shots in mind but light pollution from nearby buildings (to the owner of the house on Fortune's Rock, let it be noted that 8 floodlights lighting up your yard, the beach, the driveway and your house are not strictly speaking necessary) rendered them all unusable. I had shot this location before but the boardwalk to the beach was a new feature. There's nothing more relaxing than firing off milky way shots while talking life with your son as shooting stars fire overhead. Always a pretty enjoyable experience. 5 shot focus stack here for the pathway.

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.

Starburst

Well technically a sunburst. But the sun is a star and a sunburst isn't a tasty candy so "Starburst" it is. Taken along the Marginal Way in Ogunquit, Maine. One of my favorite stretches of coast anywhere, the Marginal Way runs from Perkinc Cove to Ogunquit Beach providing easy access to dramatic rocky coastline and sandy beaches alike.

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.

Ocean Front Property in Arizona

On my last trip out to the Southwest my party and I made a couple attempts to get permits into the iconic Wave in Coyote Buttes North. We struck out both times but I'm happy to say I still found some waves out in White Pocket in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument area. Awesome awesome place and one of the most truly awe inspiring light shows that I have ever seen this night.

Very Superstitious

The superstition mountains at lost Dutchman state Park in Apache Junction Arizona. Watch out for those cholla cactus quills. Those tiny barbed needless will stick in you and never let go.

The Rock and the Milky Way

This image of the Milky Way rising over the Atlantic in Biddeford Pool illustrates one of the challenges of shooting the stars. The narrow depth of field afforded by shooting wide open (in this case f2.8) necessitates that you will need to take multiple pictures at different focal points to ensure you get a final image that will capture both a foreground and background that is sharp.

Under the Boardwalk

What goes on down here under the Boardwalk after all the revelers let out of the bars above on a hot summer night I don't want to know. However on frigid early mornings it's about as peaceful as you can get in Old Orchard Beach. A few joggers running by, a stray dog walker and most likely a couple fellow photographers to keep you company are all that you'll see here.

I Heart Maine

Pine Point Beach, Scarborough, Maine. Pine Point is about a 10 minute drive from my house and the default beach for family afternoons on a sunny summer day. When the tide goes out little pools and ripples are left behind in the sand providing some great foreground interest. On this day my most loyal 11 year old assistant was along for the late night ride and we enjoyed listening to the fish jump in the cove, stomping in the sand to make the phosphorescence light up and watching the big crabs raid the little hermit crab colonies along the waterfront. Maine can be a pretty cool place. The lights on the horizon are from the nearby towns of Old Orchard Beach and Cape Ellis.

Emerge

Whaleback Lighthouse, Kittery, Maine. Shot from the pier in Fort Foster Park, I had to get creative on this 100 second exposure shot at 200mm on a crop frame. My tripod couldn't handle the high crosswinds on the day and every exposure was coming out blurry. In the end I braced my camera and lens against the railing of the pier, held on tight and tried to hold my breath and make my heart stop beating for the duration of the 100 second exposure. In the end this was the only keeper.

The Bend

The sun sets over Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona. For me this was one of the most challenging shots to make ever... My fear of heights (which I feel is justifiable by the ever present possibility of plunging thousands of feet to a gruesome and twisted death) forced me to crawl on my stomach to the edge of the canyon to make this image. That experience alone was gut wrenching enough without having to endure the pitying stares of the other photographers lined up along the edge.

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.

Boom!

Sunrise Explodes over Nubble Lighthouse in Cape Neddick, Maine. Great sunrises are few and far between but this one was a scorcher. A long exposure saturated the colors even more here and I gotta say I love that little boathouse down on the rocks.

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.

Little Red Boat

People like boats. I like boats, you like boats, we all like boats. Here's a picture of a red one. If you ever find yourself in need of a spot to shoot a sunset over the ocean in Southern Maine you are limited in options. The working docks here at Pine Point in Scarborough are the closest location to me and when I peek out my window around sunset and see the clouds gathering for a possible brilliant sunset I will often hop in the car and make a mad dash down to the waterfront. If the tides are right you can catch a whole beach full of these waiting to take the guys who work on the water out to their boats.

Boston Strong

Boston, Massachussetts. Our friendly neighbors to the South. Growing up in Bar Harbor Boston was THE big city to us. I remember it for the Science Museum gift shop where you could buy dinosaur erasers for a buck. Nowadays the Science Museum is still a great place to visit and this shot from across the bay in LoPresti Park shows off the great downtown skyline. LoPresti by the way isn't in the greatest of neighborhoods so if you're going to be shooting at 5am, keep your eyes wide open. This image reminds me of an EKG reading or something.

Illuminated

Portland Head Lighthouse, Fort Williams, Cape Elizabeth, Maine. How do you get a unique image of an icon? Make your images when nobody is watching. It will take some special maneuvering to make your way into the PHL at night but in this event I was rewarded with a spectacular view of the Milky Way rising over one of America's most historic lighthouses.

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse

The breakwater in Rockland juts out almost a mile into the ocean protecting the harbor from the worst of winter storms. I'm astounded by the feats of engineering required to produce something as aesthetically simple as a breakwater. I like in this image how you can see the chop on the left and get a feel for how the whole contraption works with the glass smooth water on the harbor side to the right.

Rush

Sunsets on Kettle Cove in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I wouldn't really categorize this image as a "driftwood" picture. Really this is just a piece of tree that happened to have fallen in the ocean. Give it a few months and as the bark gets stripped bare by the endless tides and the combination of salt and sun bakes it to grey, then it will earn the title of driftwood. For now, here's a stick in the water.

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.

Sublime

Badwater Basin, Death Valley, California Sublime isn't a description of an image, it's a description of the feeling I had as I was making these images. Coming at the tail end of a day where I had spent the morning several hours away shooting the slot canyons in Page, AZ, the experience here at Badwater was one of those moments in life that you remember forever. As I stood for the first time on the salt flats, the temperature still well over 110 degrees and the hot breeze sucking the moisture from my skin, completely alone on the playa, the sun set, the colors came out and a wash of pure awesomeness rushed over me. Sometimes it's pretty cool to be alive. Mother nature kicks ass.

First Light

The sun rises over Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, Maine. During the fall and winter months, those who brave the howling winds and frigid temps at Cadillacs' peak are rewarded with the first touch of the suns light in America. If you decide to see it for yourself, come prepared. Dress warm and expect crowds bigger than you would reasonable expect for an experience that requires a pre dawn wake-up call and a winding drive around the mountain.

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.

Smooooth

Sun rises over Spring Point Ledge Lighhouse in Portland, Maine. This is one of the first long exposure images I ever made. Armed with just a 4 stop ND filter and a polarizer I still managed to squeeze out a decently long exposure under the cover of pre dawn darkness. The smoothness of the water I had anticipated, the intensity and saturation of colors that comes along with long exposures was a surprise.

The Tower

Well... Not sure what else to say about this one. It's the Tower. It's the Portland Head Lighthouse. It's in Cape Elizabeth , Maine.

Not a Lighthouse Pic

Technically there are two lighthouses in this image. To the left is possibly the most famous of all lighthouses The Portland Head Lighthouse (just the very edge) and in the far far distance is Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse (fairly recently purchased for $190,000 by a local surgeon). So technically I suppose this is a lighthouse pic. That being said, PHL is situated on some of the best publicly accessible seaside real estate for miles. Jagged rocks, steep cliffs, decent surf, they all add up to a great place to shoot seascapes with or without a lighthouse or two.

Into the Storm

From the Saco Heath in Saco, Maine. Since this image was taken the boardwalk here has been completely replaced by an engineered wood path. I suppose it's safer, sturdier and will last a whole lot longer but the weathered personality of this old boardwalk will certainly be missed. Shooting notes: The mosquitos this evening were out of control. I spent half my time shooing bugs off the front lens element. Every time I adjusted my tripod I would drag a few mosquitos into the ball head and I walked out of the heath with a remarkable number of mosquito bites considering I was wearing thick pants and a hooded sweatshirt in the middle of summer specifically to ward off the bugs.

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.

Nightlight

The moonlight illuminates the cliffs along the Atlantic at Fort Williams. This early morning shot was one of my first attempts to capture the stars and opened my eyes to the opportunities of making fresh images of often shot icons along our coast. My favorite part of this image to this day remains the pure gold rock on the beach. This image recently graced the cover of Downeast Magazine, one of my favorite local publications.

White Pocket Sunset

I live on the coast of Maine so if I want to see great color in the sky it generally means a 4am wake up call to make the drive to a coastal location to watch the sun come up over the ocean. For me it's a real treat to watch the sun set at 7 pm at an amazing location like White Pocket in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument area here in northern Arizona desert.