Stuck on a Bridge

8 May 2012 – 3:38 PM

Have you ever been to a place that refuses to vacate your head long after you leave it? It keeps revisiting your brain like a friendly stray cat, constantly teasing you with its cutesy charm. Well, the darned A.M. Foster Bridge in the Northeast Kingdom does just that to me.

The truth is, I don’t understand why I keep going back there. Cabot is three hours from my house, so a photo visit involves a six-hour round trip. And this bridge is not even a real bridge — it’s a 1988 reproduction of the old Martin Bridge in the nearby village of Marshfield.

Oh, but it keeps nagging, tugging at my sleeve, and pleading with me to return. Since I stumbled upon this Vermont icon four years ago, I’ve been back there countless times — in all seasons and at all times of day.

Let’s see, there was that snowstorm when I stood in the field on snowshoes in sub-zero temperature, waiting in the darkness of dawn for the sun to rise over the Green Mountains. And just recently, I was there at night to capture the stars shining above the bridge, alone with the frenzied neighborhood dogs and the multitude of croaking frogs that take residence in the pond under the bridge.

When I’m forced to account for these visits, I always give the same answer: I like it there. The place is a microcosm of the much bigger Vermont. A pretty covered bridge sitting on a hill in a lovely pasture, over a charming little pond, and overlooking the beautiful Green Mountains that shift character and color with the passing seasons.

But after my most recent nighttime visit, I may have finally subdued the dogged Foster Bridge attraction. I can now resist the call of that wooden siren in Cabot.

Though, I do wonder what it would be like to shoot the sunset there immediately after a summer thunderstorm. And, I also wonder if the Milky Way might be visible directly over the bridge on a moonless night. Hmmmm.

By Mike | Posted in Night Photography, Pastoral Scenes, Snow, Vermont Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

On the Rocks

23 Apr 2012 – 12:30 PM

My only goal was to go back to Acadia for the night sky. Acadia National Park has little light pollution, which makes it a tremendous place for night photography. So, when the weather forecast predicted clear skies for several days in a row (very unusual in spring), I convinced Anita to join me on a short-notice trip to northern Maine.

We were there for most of the week but I never did photograph the night sky. Although the weather was pleasant in the mornings and afternoons, the sky was always compromised by evening. The most frustrating of phenomenon was the freakish coastal fog that creeps in before sunset to obliterate every inch of a clear sky, taking with it all fragile hope of photographing the stars.

So I turned to rocks. Yeah, you heard me right. Rocks. Acadia has lots of rocks. In fact, Mount Desert Island sits on a huge granite base that was created over a span of 500 million years. Volcanic activity, the shift of tectonic plates, and the flow of glaciers all played their role in forming the rocks of Acadia over untold millennia.

Now, a rock is rarely interesting by itself. But when included as an element in a compelling scene or grander context, it can convey a sense of timelessness. And when the rock happens to be pink granite glowing brightly in early morning light, its rugged beauty is affirmed.

I claim no deep knowledge of philosophy, but I sense a thematic message in there somewhere. To behold an age-old rock that dates back millions of years, and to compose that rock in a contemporary photograph — well, there’s perspective to be gleaned from the contrast.

So, I spent much of the week adding rocks to my compositions. At the edge of ponds, by the sea at low tide, and at the top of granite cliffs. Shot at dawn, sunrise, and dusk. And if the evening sky had only cooperated, I would have combined them with the stars for a twofer.

By Mike | Posted in Acadia National Park, Maine Coast, Rock Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

You Went WHERE?

23 Apr 2012 – 10:23 AM

The Lofoten Islands. Not many Americans are familiar with the archipelago that lies off the northwest coast of Norway, edging into the Norwegian Sea and inside the Arctic Circle. But that’s where I was in the latter part of March.

You might wonder why one would go to such an extreme place in winter. Well, I became enamored with these islands through the inspiring photographs of Scottish photographer Bruce Percy. So, when Bruce announced that he was leading a team of four photographers to these remote islands for winter shooting, I jumped on the opportunity.

Reykjavik-Oslo-Bodø-Leknes-Reine. These were the waypoints to my final destination. The first four places required flights, whereas, the last involved a drive to Moskenesøya, the southernmost island in the chain. I had added an extra day at both ends of the journey to allow for unforeseen developments, and still managed to arrive on the islands one day late due to a sudden snowstorm that shut down the airport at Bodø.

But it was all worthwhile. The Lofoten Islands are a remarkable place, offering up some of the most beautiful scenery in Norway. Steep mountains, turquoise fjords, little fishing villages with their vivid red fishermen cabins, quaint harbors, rugged beaches, and the northern lights. Northern Norway is among the best places in the world to see the northern lights — they did not disappoint.

We lodged in the village of Reine, which boasts under 350 inhabitants. Once voted the most beautiful village in Norway, this is indeed a place of natural beauty that sits on the shores of the breathtaking Reine Fjord. It is also a center for cod fisheries. We were reminded of this pungent fact every morning when we took our first sniff.

When you think of the Arctic Circle, frigid North Pole conditions may come to mind. But the Lofoten Islands lie in a temperate zone that is unusually mild. We did encounter snow, sleet, rain, and wind, but the temperature stayed above 30 degrees fahrenheit. Nevertheless, the weather here is often difficult for photography, necessitating a resilient attitude. Despite tough conditions, some of my favorite images where taken in dismal weather.

I will go back again. Next time, I may visit in late August or early September, which is after summer tourists and in foliage season. But I hear February is spectacular.

By Mike | Posted in Europe, Norway, Snow, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

In Search of Snow

31 Jan 2012 – 6:16 PM

Is it winter yet? It sure doesn’t feel that way here in southern New Hampshire. With my front lawn still dressed in green and temperatures staying well above the little red line on the thermometer, the elements for winter photography are sadly lacking in these parts.

Consequently, I had no choice but to buckle up and drive elsewhere in search of snow. The sparsity of fluffy white stuff appears to be a New England-wide phenomenon this year, but I was thrilled to find freshly-fallen snow in the hills of northern Vermont. Not exactly at my doorstep though, but still worth the 150-mile journey north.

I love Vermont in winter. Scenic villages, red barns, white-steepled churches, snow-capped mountains, and quietude. What is there not to like? Vermont is full of quaint villages. And one of my personal favorites is Peacham.

Peacham is hardly an unknown. In fact, if you come here at the peak of foliage season, you may find yourself elbowed by a throng of photographers from all over creation. Hollywood too found this place years ago, with several large productions filmed here. But fear not, you will likely be alone in winter, as I was on my latest visit.

Peacham offers up stereotypical Vermont scenery at its finest. The village sits on a hill overlooking mountains to the east, so the best time to photograph here is late afternoon. To make the above photo, I walked out into an open field and waited for the sun to stop playing hide-and-go-seek, eventually casting its warm light on the red barn. Fresh powdery snow, good light, and textured clouds. It doesn’t get much better than this.

By Mike | Posted in Vermont Photography, Winter | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

No Expectations

27 Jan 2012 – 4:43 PM

When it comes to photography, I admit to being a bit of a control freak (okay, that guffaw was not really necessary). Before going anywhere, I envision the image I want to create in detail, study the hourly forecast on Weather.com until moments before my departure, check the tide charts if the seacoast is anywhere near my subject, scrutinize possible tripod locations in Google Earth, and verify the exact angle of the sun for the anticipated time of day using The Photographer’s Ephemeris.

At first glance, this might seem rather anal-retentive but it’s all part of my pre-shooting routine. And I admit to being pretty efficient at these steps now. The problem lies less with my planning and more with the inevitable disappointment that ensues when nature fails to comply with my calculations. And if you’ve experienced New England weather, you know this happens often.

Once upon a time (i.e. last month), I would get upset at seeing my perfect plan derailed. But now, I just “deal with it”. It’s a bit like that Food Network show, Chopped. The competing chefs have no idea what’s in the food basket until they have to cook. Likewise, photographers must make a good image out of whatever nature throws at them. So, my newfound motto is “no expectations”. I still plan but then go out with the attitude of making due with whatever I find on location. Much better now.

The above image of the A.M. Foster Covered bridge was made a few days ago in Cabot, Vermont. It’s not at all the image I planned. The snow was sparse, the sun settled in a thin cloud bank, and the wind picked up as I was trying to compose the shot. But here it is. This is what I created from the lousy ingredients in my basket. Yet I’m pretty happy with the result. Like I said, all better now.

By Mike | Posted in Vermont Photography, Winter | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)