The Hemlock Bridge is a covered bridge in a rural part of Fryeburg, Maine. This past weekend I visited this iconic structure and learned about it from a local farmer. Built in 1857, it carries Hemlock Bridge Road over the Old Course Saco River, near the western shore of Kezar Lake.
In preparation for an upcoming photo Meetup I spent the afternoon at my favorite spot in Essex County: Gloucester, Massachusetts where 300 years of fishing tradition continue, amid economic hardship, tough fishing restrictions, and offshore competition. The reflections and colors of the harbor have held my attention for 30 years. Today, I was lucky to visit The State Pier when the trawlers Endeavour and Challenger were unloading their catch of herring. The result of several days fishing in the Hudson Gorge, the herring were being loaded on two flatbed tractor-trailers for a trip to Deer Isle, Maine for distribution as lobster bait.
I live in a small town north of Boston where as the saying goes, “they roll the sidewalks up at night.” Nevertheless, there still is some color after the sun has set.
Today I began work on a new project to photograph makers of musical instruments in the Boston area. Bill Tippin of Tippin Guitars in Marblehead, MA welcomed me to his shop on the waterfront. A master luthier with over 30 years of experience making fine instruments, Bill specializes in crafting and repairing steel string guitars for finger-pickers and flat-pickers. Each instrument is custom built for the owner, considering the style of music, technique, and sound preferred by the musician. Recently he has parlayed his devotion to deep sea fishing into a sideline for his shop — custom made fishing rods. Please click the little arrows for full screen view.
This fall I had the pleasure of photographing the swim teams at some local YMCA’s. I swim at the Y regularly and it takes me back to my 8th grade swim team year as an avid breast-stroke competitor.
This afternoon my daughter and I met several turkeys during a walk in Lincoln, Massachusetts. While I was photographing the large ungainly birds a woman passing by said, “Aren’t they beautiful, look at all the colors?” In contrast, Molly said, “It looks like you can see their brains.” What do you think? Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world’s leading questionnaire tool.
Today I photographed the Saugus River in Massachusetts from the air. The river meanders 13 miles from its source in Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield through the towns of Lynnfield, Saugus and Lynn to Broad Sound in the Atlantic. I enjoyed several flights in a single-engine, top-wing Cessna over the past few years. On this occasion the pilot was very specific in his instructions to me. He said, “If something were to happen to me, please take the controls and land on the nearest flat surface. It doesn’t have to be an airport. If we are near Logan airport just follow their instructions. Push this red button so you can talk to them. If we need to land in the water we will probably flip over. You’ll need to unlock the door before we land so we can open it after hitting the water. Can you swim? The barf bag is here. And, if you would like to drive a little while on the way back that would be fine with me.” I did, but not very well.
Today when I visited the piers in Gloucester, MA and spoke to the deckhands and pier crew offloading several tons of halibut, I couldn’t help but think about the fresh, farmed, and frozen fish from China that is sold in our local supermarkets.
In 1981 I encountered this photographer who was working on the busy streets of Chelsea, Massachusetts, shooting and processing his photographs on the spot. His camera appeared to be home-made — fashioned from a sturdy equipment case. The simple lens was triggered with an air release, exposing a small sheet of positive-exposure photographic paper mounted in the box. A negative was not required. Also in the box were a couple of tiny trays containing print-processing chemicals. He reached through a port in the back of the camera to swish the exposed print in the chemistry. The paper sign on the front of the camera reads, “30¢ A photo, Frames 5¢ Each, Finished in 4 Minutes While U Wait.” I regret that I did not pose for a photo myself. I do recall seeing a young couple pose happily in front of a brick wall on this side street, returning a short time later to pick up their photo. A worthy memory in these days of digital everything, don’t you agree?