Day 05 – Our favorite North Carolina Fishing Village
There is a working, fishing village near us on the Outer Banks that we love to visit. It has changed over the years from a combination of working fishing community with an environmentally disastrous ship graveyard, to a more environmentaly friendly area. I do miss the old hulks that I loved to photograph, and while I bemoan their loss, I am glad that the toxic elements are gone and that oil and other pollutants are not longer leaking into the harbor which affects the sound.
A favorite, textured building was lost in a previous hurricane, but there is still lots to photograph. I was attracted to the civil-twilight effects on these fishing boats.
As usual, we get there when it is still dark, hints of what might come lurking below the horizon.
Our participants wandered about, urged by Arnie to find a location, so that when the light appeared they would be ready.
“My camera won’t fire,” one person reported in a slightly panicky mode.
“It’s still dark. Better to hand-focus in these situations,” I responded.
Sure enough, it fired when I tested it.
“I can’t get my settings right,” another stated, unused to our normal, early hours.
We worked it out, and he went away with more confidence.
Arnie went searching various members of our group, eager to show them possibilities that might tempt their visual palettes.
And Arnie and I got to make a few images of our own.
Sometimes, I like to go high key, as with this image. It’s the old KISS theory, although stupidity, in my mind, has nothing really to do with the mantra.
Arnie and I love to give out assignments, sometimes for all, sometimes designed for a specific person. I checked in to see how the group was doing with mine. I am sure Arnie did the same with his.
We meandered here and there, checking in to make sure everyone was fine.
“You might consider taking a step to the right,” we might say.
“Where is your ISO set?” we would remind people.
“What attracted you to the scene,” I would ask when someone was floundering, and they would get back on track.
There was a lull while our students were busy with this or that shot, and I returned to one of my favorite boats as the sun was rising.
There is something, for me, compelling about this fishing vessel. She has seen age, and she is sturdy. I am a traditionalist, where boats are of the female gender. Newer boaters don’t have this feeling and come up with all sorts of – to me – very un-yar names for their craft.
At any rate, this boat has a history. I wish she could tell me some of it. I have talked to her owner over the years, but I have neglected to ask more about his boat.
Perhaps it is better to have a little mystery.
We headed off for breakfast, followed by imaging. Arnie and I were happy with the new way they were seeking their own vision, impressed with a number of the images they created.
It was a good week, and people lingered, unwilling to end our time together just yet. Arnie and I were pleased.
Next: To Be Determined???
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