NH Lakes and Mountains

Last week's road trip took me to New Hampshire's Lakes and White Mountains. I stayed in Ashland, which is a very convenient location to explore from. The first day I drove up to the Kancamagus Highway, through Bear Notch, over Crawford Notch, to Jefferson, and back to Ashland. Day two was lakes day - sunrise in Meredith, then on to Holderness, Chocorua, Ossipee, Eaton, and Conway before going home to Boston.

These are two of my favorite routes year-round, and I'll probably repeat them in autumn. But the lakes are a special place in summer, so I try to visit every year.

The first picture here is a mill in Ashland. It's right on Route 3, just north of town. It would be better with a kayak, so that piece of sky wouldn't be pulling your eye away from the mill. This is a spectacular scene in autumn and winter. A red mill - how could it not be a winner?

Next come several pictures from the lakes - Winnipesaukee, Squam, Chocorua, Crystal. Marinas, villages, reflections, maple-covered hillsides. Lots to play with here. There are also a couple of shots from Jefferson, which is becoming one of my favorite places. There's a meadow there... Lupines in spring, and I think I missed fireweed in July! Can't wait to see what October brings.

1) Eaton NH 2) Sunrise at a Meredith marina 3) Meredith-Church Landing
4) Meredith Town Pier 5) Mt Chocorua 6) Holderness, hazy sunset
7) Jefferson meadows 8) Holderness marina 9) Jefferson meadows

Marblehead Morning

This morning I was hoping for fog, but I got heavy haze instead. I think it worked out ok. A pink sunrise was followed by over two hours of soft, golden light which made it really easy to get pictures with low contrast, saturated color, great reflections. A very busy shooting day, over by 8:00.

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Marblehead is a wonderful town to photograph. It has a very scenic harbor with several vantage points; a 17th-century historical district; a lighthouse; an Audubon preserve, several active yacht clubs; interesting shops and restaurants; and a few lobster shacks. There's more, I just haven't discovered it all yet.

Back in Boston

Moving from Maine to Boston is always jarring. You trade the noise of crickets for the noise of airplanes. The smell of seaweed for the smell of traffic. YUK! But Boston is a such beautiful city. I can shoot both sunrise and sunset in several locations with water in the foreground. Boats and skylines and reflections. Boston Harbor. The Charles River. Such a gorgeous city.

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I've been shooting sunrise and sunset for the last week. At this time of the year, that's a little tough, so I spend the middle of the day on the computer and schedule a nap each afternoon. Mid-day light usually doesn't work in the city, because the tall buildings cast shadows that make too much contrast for traditional photography. Today I'll make an exception. Redcoats and militiamen will invade Boston, with fife-and-drummers wandering the streets. Who could resist?