When I go out to take pictures, I usually have a plan. It always goes better, and I get better pictures if I have a plan. Last Sunday, my plan was to arrive at a location I found on a map along the river in Kittery, ME to take a silhouette picture of Memorial Bridge. The weather looked clear. I had a rough idea of when I needed to arrive. It probably would have been better if I’d arrived slightly earlier. The location itself is a bit of a chance. I’d found a restaurant that on the Google Maps satellite image looked like the parking lot had an unobstructed view, but there were no promises.
When I arrived the parking lot did offer a view of the bridge, but there was a lot of clutter in the way. I made my way across a boat yard to a private dock at what looked like condos or a resort. If it had been summer, someone might have noticed, but not in late November. I found this view with the only other object being a lobster boat which in my mind added to the image.
This was the primary location of this outting, but I like to have secondary and tertiary locations in mind. I don’t want to get up at 4:30 and drive seventy-five minutes for a single exposure. My secondary location was Peirce Island. You saw some photos from there last week. The other location was Odiorne Pointe. I’d shot there before at this time of the year but this time wanted to return and take pictures of the bunker hidden in the woods.
Sometimes it all comes together as it did this day. I got a dozen images that I could use for posts. Other times, I’ve come away with no images or just a single image. I don’t mind a single image if it’s a good one.
A very successful outing! The bridge sillouette turned out beautifully.
Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Chris.
Good hunting for a place to shoot from! Part of the job is finding a place that helps to show off the subject that you saw in your mind! I daresay you plan your outings better than I.
This was oe of my better planned outtings. Some are more of a crapshoot.
I think you captured the scene perfectly. Having a lobster boat never hurts, either.
Thank you, Kate. Lobster boats are almost always a bonus.
Beautiful photography. You are truly talented. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much. I appreciate that.
A pleasure. You are most welcome😊
This is so pretty. Wow, you really do have a plan. I am so impressed as I tend to fly by the seat of my pants–always!
Thank you, Lois. There’s times that I just go out and see what happens but it goes better if I have a plan.
That is what I have always been told about photography–have a plan!
Sometimes, it’s a challenge to have a plan. It helps to have an idea of the weather. You can look at maps or search on other images people have taken there.
Great silhouette image! Like you say, the fishing boat just adds so much more!
Thank you so much, Ashley. I was thrilled to have the fishing boat in the shot.
Such dedication! I can relate to the satisfaction of bringing back good shots of the hunt. Especially when it requires some effort.
There’s nothing like coming home with some good images.
The bridge silhouette is fabulous!
Happy Sunday!
Thank you, Nancy. Happy Sunday.
I enjoyed hearing more about your process. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of your shots as well! This is a winner. A peaceful morning on the water. Beautiful!
Nice shot!
Thank you, Teri.
I so understand your process….some times you win….sometimes not so much! Great shots!!
I agree. You have to actually go out and take the pics to see if they are winners or not. Thank you.
I have an external hard drive full of pictures that I have taken over the years and I will periodically go back through some of them and see a different way to crop them creating an entirely different picture. You just never know!!
I had that happen to me a couple of weeks ago. I was looking at some old photos and saw one I liked but had never done much with. It made a good post.
I actually drove across that bridge on my first visit to New England!
It’s a cool bridge. They light it up with blue lights at night and it looks great.
Great image! Love the silhouette and the beautiful light! And yay to such a successful day!
Thank you, Sarah.