You can download the St. Augustine e-book in my store. It provides you with the complete information to construct your own photo workshop in one of the most beautiful cities in Florida
You can download the White Mountain e-book in my store. If you are interested in attending the Photo Workshop in the White Mountains on June 14, 2018, please visit https://www.bluehourphotoventures.com/all-workshops/ for all the details
You can download the Northeastern Vermont e-book in my store. If you are interested in attending the Photo Workshop in Northeastern Vermont on October 8-9, 2018, please visit https://www.bluehourphotoventures.com/all-workshops/ for all the details
If you are interested in attending the Photo Workshop in Provincetown on May 16-17, 2018, please visit https://www.bluehourphotoventures.com/all-workshops/ for all the details
Dune Shack
Wood End Light Station
Race Point Life Saving Station
MacMillan Wharf
If you are interested in this one day fall color tour of some of the most scenic locations in Central Massachusetts, please visit https://www.bluehourphotoventures.com/all-workshops/
Old Stone Church - West Boylston
Moore State Park - Paxton
Grist Mill - Sudbury
Worcester Aqueduct - Northborough
Fort Pickering (Winter Island) Lighthouse
Description of Attraction: This small lighthouse on a rocky shoreline is one of the better lighthouses to photograph due to its unobstructed location, position on a prominent point out on the rocks so it can be shot from both sides, and accessibility. It offers excellent composition opportunities with rocks and ocean in front and an open sky in the back for sunrise, sunset or various cloud formations.
Location Address: The lighthouse is located in Winter Island Park and does not have an address so use 50 Winter Island Road, Salem, MA.
Parking: There is ample parking in the park if the gate is open. If the gate is closed, park on the side of the street and walk five minutes straight through the park to the water and the lighthouse is on the left. This parking location serves all photo locations
Trail/Hiking Time: There is little or no walking time to the locations shown. Care must be taken climbing on any rocks at low tide, as they are very slippery with seaweed.
GPS: 42.526700 -70.866600
TPE Info: http://app.photoephemeris.com/?ll=42.527032,-70.867058¢er=42.5291,-70.8916&dt=20160620111800-0400&z=15&spn=0.02,0.07
Location #1: (above) This picture was shot looking straight east toward the rising sun. Depending on the tide, there are numerous vantage points either down on the water or on the grass above the rocks. There is quite a bit of latitude for movement depending on the framing and position of sun desired.
Photo Data: (above) Taken on April 18, 2016 at 5:50 a.m. using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L lens at 124mm. Shot at F22 for 1/13 sec with a 3-stop ND filter. Processed in Lightroom
Location #2
Location #2: This was one of my first shots of the day and was done on the shoreline. The tide was low enabling you to pass the breakwater rocks. I included this shot to show some of the excellent foreground elements that can be included.
Photo Data: Taken on April 18, 2016 at 5:25 a.m. using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a Canon EF 24‑105mm ‑ F/4.0 lens at 24mm. Shot at F18 for 10 sec. Processed in Lightroom
Best time of day to visit: Certainly the hour before and after sunrise is excellent. Depending on the time of the year, you can always get a good angle. While I have not visited at sunset, this could also be a good location to have the light on the front of the lighthouse and rocks and any colors on the eastern horizon. As mentioned, there is an excellent view from the other side for sunset.
Best time of year to visit: Any time of year works, but I prefer spring-fall in order to get the sun somewhere behind the lighthouse. In the winter it may be too far in the southern sky to include it along with the shoreline, but it may provide some other angles from above the lighthouse.
Best type of light/weather: Infinite number of choices here as the elements of the location are very strong and adding the components of weather and light is your choice
Additional Equipment Needed: I strongly endorse TPE (The Photographer’s Ephemeris) App for planning your shot. A tripod, polarizing/neutral density filters and shutter release are needed. I also like a good pair of waterproof boots for navigation in the water if you choose to go down to the shore. I would also bring a flashlight or headlamp and a walking pole to help navigate the rocks
Additional Information: This site has many more photo opportunities as there are trails above the lighthouse that allow you to shoot down at it as well as access points from the other side of the lighthouse for sunset shots. I will include these after I visit again.
Castle Hill Lighthouse
Description of Attraction: This beautiful lighthouse is built right into the cliff face, and almost appears as a natural feature of the landscape. The granite tower stands thirty-four feet tall and flashes a red light every three seconds. There are wooden steps descending from the path. There are also steps carved into the stone on both sides that go down to the water.
Location Address: The path to the lighthouse is located at the back of the parking lot for the Castle Hill Inn at 590 Ocean Ave.
Parking: The parking lot is usually attended by the hotel staff. If you tell them you are there to visit the lighthouse, they will ask you to park at the back of their lot.
Trail/Hiking Time: The wood chip trail starts at the end of the parking lot at the corner closest to the ocean. You will hike on the path through low bushes and will not have a view of the lighthouse or the ocean. In 8-10 minutes you will see an opening to the right and the top of the lighthouse. You can descend the steps and cross onto the rocks in either direction. If you are going south of the lighthouse, you may want to continue on the path until the next opening for an easier access to the rocks.
GPS: 41.4621359,-71.3651024
Location #1: This picture was shot close to the ocean, but up on some rock slabs looking north/northwest. Castle Hill is one of the few lighthouses in New England that is a great sunset location rather than at sunrise.
Photo Data: Taken on May 10, 2016 at 7:48 p.m. using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a Canon EF 16-35mm f/4 L lens at 32mm. Shot at f/18.0 for 2 sec with a polarizing filter. Processed in Lightroom
Best time of day to visit: Certainly the hour before and after sunset is excellent.
Best time of year to visit: Any time of year works. In winter, the sun is in the southern sky and the lighthouse is best shot from north to south (see below). In the summer with the sun in the northern sky, the best shot is from south to north. I prefer this view due to the position of the lighthouse in the rock ledge and also the multiple angles afforded from the south side of the lighthouse.
Best type of light/weather: Infinite number of choices here as the elements of the location are very strong and adding the components of weather and light is your choice. I have added some additional shots from an hour before sunset and a half hour after sunset.
Additional Equipment Needed: I strongly endorse TPE (The Photographer’s Ephemeris) App for planning your shot. A tripod, polarizing/neutral density filter and shutter release are needed. I also like a good pair of shoes for navigation on the smooth rock. I would also bring a flashlight or headlamp.
Additional Information: This site has many more photo opportunities from either side or above. Be very careful navigating the rocks as they are steep in certain locations. While it is obvious that the area next to the ocean can be slippery, it is worth repeating that as the tide goes out, this smooth rock becomes like ice and can easily deposit you and/or your gear into the Atlantic.
Attraction Name: Sandwich Boardwalk
Description of Attraction: Crossing Mill Creek, the Sandwich Boardwalk is the main passage to the Town Beach. As you cross the reconstructed 1,350-foot boardwalk, you’ll notice funny quips, memorials to lovers, family members, and dedications to boats carved in the planks. Perhaps more importantly, the walkway’s vantage point provides striking views of Cape Cod Bay where you can watch not only the sunrise, but also the marsh grass sway against a hazy summer horizon.
Location Address: the boardwalk is located at the end of Boardwalk Road in Sandwich, MA.
Parking: there is ample parking, but as in all beach parking on the Cape, it depends on the season and time you arrive. Early morning is usually no problem and there is a charge “in season”.
Trail/Hiking Time: there is little or no walking time to the location shown. Care must be taken climbing along the bank of the creek at low tide, as it is slippery with seaweed and very muddy.
GPS: 41.7648889,-70.4849644
TPE Info: http://app.photoephemeris.com/?ll=41.764896,-70.484952¢er=41.7642,-70.4831&dt=20160502145700-0400&z=18&spn=0.00,0.01
Photo Data: taken on April 25, 2016 at 5:35 a.m. using a Canon 5D Mark iii with a Canon EF 16-35mm f/4 L lens at 16mm. Shot at F11 for 1 sec with .09 graduate ND filter. Processed in Lightroom
Location #1: this picture was shot looking straight east toward the rising sun. Depending on the tide, there are numerous vantage points. There is quite a bit of latitude for movement depending on the framing and position of sun desired, but care must be taken with the creek and sea grass.
Best time of day to visit: Certainly the hour before and after sunrise is excellent. Depending on the time of the year, you can usually get a good angle.
Best time of year to visit: Any time of year works. The sunrise is almost straight down the boardwalk in June and at a right angle in December. I like spring or fall for the best angle for the sun.
Best type of light/weather: Infinite number of choices here as the elements of the location are very strong and adding the components of weather and light is your choice
Additional Equipment Needed: I strongly endorse TPE (The Photographer’s Ephemeris) App for planning your shot. A tripod, polarizing/neutral density filter and shutter release are needed. I also like a good pair of waterproof boots for navigation if you choose to go down edge of the creek. I would also bring a flashlight or headlamp and a walking pole to help navigate the mud.
Additional Information: This site has many more photo opportunities as the boardwalk leads to the town beach. Some nice rock jetties provide interesting subject matter.