Marshall Point Light |
The only thing that I really regret about living in the Monadnock Region is the lack of easily accessible ocean. Whenever I return to the coast I find fresh subjects to invigorate my photographic eye. The Camden area, in Maine’s middle coast, is a great region for finding new perspectives on New England's Atlantic edge.
While growing up, my parents kept a small boat on Rocky Neck in Gloucester, Massachusetts and I spent all my summers cruising around the harbor in my little 8 foot tender with its sputtering thre horsepower motor. Every summer we took a long cruise of 3-6 weeks exploring the New England coast. Most often we headed south to the Cape and Elizabeth Islands, but occasionally we would turn north to the Maine Coast which was an entirely different experience.
I love whenever I get the opportunity to return to the ocean and especially to the Maine coast. It is a different kind of photography, with subjects laid out against the distant, rod straight, blue horizon, the detail of the fishing and lobstering industry, and the light, which has a sharper quality unfiltered by hills and trees. I know, light is light, but there is a difference which is felt more than seen. And of course, there are the lighthouses which have an irresistible attraction.
Early this week Sue and I got away for a few days to the mid Maine Coast around Camden. We stayed at a friend's house, high on a mountain in Lincolnville, just inland from Camden Harbor. The weather was variable, with fog and rain the first day, slowly clearing over the rest of our stay. The variable conditions gave me the chance to photograph the coast and the early fall colors in a wide range of moods.
Evening Fog Devenseller Mt, Lincolnville, Me |
Fog is Great! Rain, Not So Much
Our first day was largely a rain-out with the drizzle only broken by periodic downpours. As I was shooting the Lobster boats at Lincolnville Beach, I was drenched by a sudden downpour even though I was only feet from the car. Thank goodness I had a towel over my camera. I tend to dry out better than the equipment. We spent of the day exploring the coast north of Camden including the quaint seaside village of Bayside. We spent the night in the wind, and fog at our friends snug mountainside retreat.
Lincolnville Storm. Before the Deluge |
Lincolnville Beach
The forecast looked better for the next day and I returned to
Lincolnville Fleet |
Tidal Flat Fisher |
Camden
Camden Anchors |
Camden Forest |
Sunset Helm, Schooner Appledore |
Camden Skiff |
Bald Mountain
Camden is surrounded by dramatic hills, most famously, Mount Battie which looms over the harbor and is accessible by trails and an auto road. The view is spectacular, but the summit is often crowded. On this trip we escaped the mob and climbed Bald Mountain. The mountain is a few miles inland from Camden, but at 1260 feet, its bare summit provides an excellent panoramic view of the coast including Camden and Rockport. The trail is a bit rugged, but quickly breaks above tree line, providing frequent stopping points with excellent vistas. And without an auto road the summit was peaceful and quiet.
Camden Harbor From Bald Mountain |
Port Clyde and Marshall Point Light
In the evening I decided to head south to Port Clyde and the classic
Port Clyde Traps |
Marshall Point Frame |
We worked our way back home the next day. The weather and our
Curtis Island Light |
stops and side trips. On the way out we made one last stop at a nearly hidden vista that provided an angle on the Curtis Island Lighthouse. The light guards Camden's outer harbor, but it is usually best seen from the sea. This spot off the coast road revealed the lighthouse in the late morning light, but the best part was that on the short path to the viewpoint Susan actually carried my tripod! It must have been the magic of the coast. I have to get back soon.
Jeffrey Newcomer
Partridgebrookreflections.com
you are an amazing photographer!!
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i envy you.i wish i could shoot them too..
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