I just finished a job in Hyannis, MA on Cape Cod, and afterward decided to take a bit of time to myself to photograph a nearby lighthouse. I don’t know what it is exactly that is so attractive about lighthouses, but I love to photograph them. It is always so serene to be in these places.
I drove to the top of the Cape to a small town called Provincetown. On the edge of town there’s a jetty. I hiked across the jetty to photograph this lighthouse that was way out on a little piece of land.
Once on the other side, I hiked around in the brush to get just the right spot, where the sun would only be lighting the side of the lighthouse — creating some depth. This was one of my favorites.
Then I decided to create some self-portraits because I have realized that when I go to fun and beautiful places that I only get great photographs of my surroundings, but never of me. At some point in life I’m sure I will want to look back and see photographs of me on one of my adventures.
So I set up my tripod with a radio shutter release and went to get in the photo when I could hear the camera snapping photographs randomly and without my control. I ran to the camera to stop it and as a result of my camera’s mishap, I got these two images which I really like.
The movement gives them a certain interest and life, which makes them more interesting than me just standing there next to the lighthouse.
After I got the release working I took some more on purpose, but kept the idea of movement in the images. The running images made me think of Richard Avedon’s self-portraits that he did while in 1950’s Paris with the Eiffel Tower. I used that inspiration and created this set of images.
It was so quiet and serene out on that little piece of land. I tend to be more introspective when I’m out of town, and especially when I’m in a beautiful place creating a photograph just for me.
There’s something about just relaxing and getting away from the distractions of life, and just looking at light, and being creative … and just thinking. It took me about four hours total to cross the jetty, take some photographs, and hike back to land. A very fulfilling night!
On the walk back, I took this image, looking back towards the lighthouse.
And here is the jetty looking back towards Provincetown. I wanted to get across before sundown while there was still light to see, and I just made it.
When I got back, I saw a quaint hotel right on the beach and I booked a room. It didn’t have a restaurant, so I headed into town for dinner, but missed everything. All the restaurants were closed. I went to bed on a few candy bars, but felt very fulfilled!
LOVE these Bry! I love that you did the Avedon inspired SPs. Such fun. Your work is fabulous!
Bry, I love those Avedon inspired self portraits! You look like you were having fun. These are my favorite images of you. Great work!