The fading afternoon light at Wingaersheek Beach highlights contours of the granite outcrops in the tide. Annisquam Light is on the horizon. Click here to see a larger image or to purchase an archival print or license for commercial use.
[The Mouth of the Ipswich River]
the Mouth of the Ipswich River
On a winter day in early January when snow and ice usually blankets the North Atlantic shoreline, I spent an afternoon meandering around Ipswich Massachusetts, looking for dramatic afternoon light. This view of Castle Hill is from the tiny neighborhood of Little Neck, a hilly promontory covered with a mix of year-round and summer homes, each with a dramatic view of the sea and the river.
Although the eye and brain attempt to neutralize the perceived color of light, your brain and eye can still sense the difference between the light of a cool shaded forest and the warm tones of sunset on the beach. Cameras don’t have this power or sensitivity; at least not yet.
Today’s digital cameras think that average daylight is somewhere between 5500° and 6000° Kelvin. Years ago I read that this value was a measurement of sunlight at high noon on the Summer Solstice as it occurs in Washington, D.C. This could be folklore, but it sounds nice!
On the day after a surprise nor’easter brought high winds and several inches of snow to central New England in late October, skies were super crisp and clear.
Sunday in Rockport, Massachusetts. Cape Ann is a year-round source of photographic subjects. I’m always on the lookout for interesting patterns and colors in the decaying maritime structures.
Today I’m launching a series of short tips about how to improve your nature photography. Each post will have about 5 pointers and my working list currently runs to fifty points. At some time in the near future all the points will be published as an e-book or perhaps, something more ambitious. Your comments are welcome!