LightCentric Photography Blog: October 2024

[Just yesterday, we returned from 17 days in Europe (Zurich, Munich, Prague and Berlin). In addition to the usual "jet lag" from a 6 hour time difference, we had a lot going on here, with our home more or less in the direct pass of the second of two hurricanes hitting our coast during the time we were gone. We were fortunate in both instances, as we are on high ground and the eye of the second one shifted slightly south of us, sparing the highest hurricane winds (though we did have sustained winds in the 65+ mph range with gusts up to 100mph) and the first one skirted north of us. She (Helene) produced unprecedented storm surge along the coast (we are but a mile from there but well above sea level). Our airport was closed until Friday morning, so we were delayed a day - and arrived yesterday at noon, safe, but exhausted. It will take me a while to "curate" all the images from this wonderful trip, so I am posting the following blog on boating which I have had in the qeue. I expect to have some material from the trip coming up next week].

I GREW up on Lake Michigan and have spent many hours over the years on "small" boats of various sizes and description. In addition to the Great Lakes, both my paternal and maternal grandparents, as well as a number of family friends, had vacation homes on some of Michigan's hundreds of inland lakes. During much of my adult life, I lived within a few miles of Lake Huron and have logged some hours there, too. Here in Florida, on retirement, I have family and friends with boats and have been given boating opportunities on and around the Gulf of Mexico (mostly the intercoastal waterway). I am no stranger to boats. Whether or not these experiences have prompted it or not, I have always had an appreciation for boats (though more recently we have spent more time on ships than on boats).

Sailboat Basin in San Francisco is reminiscent of the harbor on West Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan where we kept our 19 foot Sailboat when I was growing up
Copyright Andy Richards 2011 - All Rights Reserved

WHEN YOU maintain an archive portfolio, website, and blog over a number of years, you spend a fair amount of time organizing, categorizing, re-categorizing and even re-working images. I think the current term of vogue for all this stuff is "curating." I probably do that in a somewhat comprehensive way about twice a year. I have my LightCentricPhotography main website where my images are displayed and are for sale. I also keep a LightCentric Flickr site (once a "pro" subscription, but when SmugMug, who already hosts my main site, bought Flickr, it didn't make sense to me to pay them for 2 sites). Since I already had a Flickr presence established and had put a fair amount of work into setting up albums and geo-tagging images there, I decided to keep the free site and so I need to curate that site also. I have been blogging since the mid-2000's. That means hundreds and hundreds of images to keep track of. And knowing some of the pro photographers, my image collection is but a fraction of theirs.

Port - La Corun'a, Spain - Copyright Andy Richards 2021 - All Rights Reserved
It never ceases to amaze me that wherever in the world we travel (often on cruise ships) the ports are full of personal pleasure craft

A BIT off-topic I know, but I'll bring it around. The curating process means I routinely come across images I have not looked at, nor thought about for years, and sometimes images I kept, but never really considered doing anything specific with. On my LightCentricPhotography site, I do have a gallery entitled, "Marine." As I write this blog post, it occurs to me that I probably need to revisit that gallery and do some maintenance. But some recent work tweaked me to look at, and post some of my "boats and boating" imagery. So here we go.

This Clearwater sunrise image was made from our fishing charter boat as we left the docks in the pre-dawn
Copyright Andy Richards 2012 - All Rights Reserved

I CAN'T think of a subject matter any more compelling to an outdoor photographer than boats and marinas. Any time I am near a marina, port or any other large concentration of boats (see Newport Boat Show, below), you will find me walking around with my camera in hand. Like any other subject, dramatic photography of these subjects is dependent on light, and getting to these places during the best photographic light conditions is a treat, but is not always easy to do. Especially when traveling. Yet I have recorded some of my favorite images during the day's most dramatic lighting.

AN IMPORTANT point to make here, is that there is a distinction between "boats" and "ships." There is, however, no clear-cut definition or standard for distinguishing them. Rather, there is a combination of factors, including size, the type of waters being navigated, and the use of the craft. Ships tend to be commercial working vessels which are used for fishing, passenger transportation, and cargo shipping. Boats tend to be smaller, more likely to be used on inland waterways, and often used as pleasure craft. They can be anything from a very small dingy used to get back and forth to a larger craft from the shore to a larger craft that is moored out. Oh, and one more huge use of both boats and ships: military. So how do you tell the difference? Perhaps the best way I can voice my own view is to quote U.S. Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart in his famous line which is the closest anyone has come to defining obscenity: "I know it when I see it." 😏 In this post I am discussing primarly what I call "pleasure craft."

ONCE WE we have made that "distinction," though, it seems that there is no end to the variety of boats around the world. "Recreational" boats number around 30 million worldwide (nearly 22 million are registered in the U.S. and Canada). For perspective, there are about 130 million "vessels" in the world (not including military vessels). We should note that these numbers include only "registered" vessels and do not take the too-many-to-account-for small canoes, kayaks, dingies, and other small boats. If you do the math, that means there are 100 million some commercial boats and ships around the world. Not surprisingly, it is difficult to find a single source for military ships, but including carriers, surface warships, submarines, tenders, and patrol type boats, those surely number well into the thousands. Lots of boats.

GETTING BACK to the pleasure craft boats, I was surprised (though not shocked) to see that more than half of them are in the U.S. and Canada. When you look at the world's most populous places, maybe it isn't so much of a surprise. Private ownership of watercraft in places like China, Russia and India is not commonly found. The U.S. has huge seacoasts on three boarders, and both the U.S. and Canada have a very large number of inland lakes (including the freshwater "oceans" known as "The Great Lakes." Not surprisingly, Michigan (#2) and Minnesota (#3 and they are almost a "dead heat") are among the top states in personal craft ownership, with Florida (#1) and California (#4) - both having huge coastal coverage. As I researched this topic, I also became aware that many countries outrank both the U.S. and Canada in terms of the per capita ownership of boats. Even though the raw numbers of boats is much larger in the U.S. and Canada, not as many people (on a per capita basis) own boats. Boat ownership is much more common in other parts of the world. It is just that they are much less populated places. That brings things into perspective for me.

I photographed this yacht in the marina in Monaco in 2022 - While it is pretty small by megayacht standards, it is large enough for a hot tub on the stern
Copyright Andy Richards 2022 - All Rights Reserved

THE MAJORITY of these boats are smaller craft (probably somewhere under 50-ish feet). I am not sure what the definition of a "yacht" is, but most internet sources suggest that the number of true luxury yachts is around 10,000. Of those, Wikipedia lists an interesting category of owners of yachts 150 (ish) feet or longer. The majority of those owners - it shouldn't surprise you - are of some kind of Arabic descent, with a handful of Russian Oligarchs, and a very few American and European billionaires - and a few others - mixed in. One article suggests that most of these luxury yachts spend their time in the Caribbean in the winter and the in the Mediterranean in the warmer months. My own empirical observation backs that up, as most of the ones I have seen have been in those two places.

THOUGH PERHAPS not "mega-yachts," there are certainly some impressive boats to be found elsewhere in the world. In 2016, I spent a few days in Newport, Rhode Island with my buddy, Rich. He was on a part-business-part pleasure trip and I joined him. During the mornings, I wandered around Newport, a very affluent town which is very marine-centric. The weekend we were there just happened to be the annual Newport Boat Show, and there were some big players there. I saw some of the biggest sailboats I have ever seen (50-60 foot long with twin masts) being put in at the Newport Shipyard. Most of what I saw during those days were monohull sailboats, though catamarans are a pretty common sight in the Caribbean.

During a Cruise Ship stop in St. Kitts in the Caribbean in 2013, my wife and I took an island tour that finished with a catamaran sail around part of the island - while used for a retail commercial venture, this large cat is cleary within the definition of pleasure craft and is very much like the privately - owned large cat sailboats that seem ubiquitous to the Caribbean
Copyright Andy Richards 2013 - All Rights Reserved

MY OWN experience has all been on smaller inland lakes - mainly The Great Lakes, and the boat sizes more from about 20 - 45 feet. I have sailed monohull boats and operated small (mostly outboard) boats in those waters over the years, including several multi-day sailing cruises on Lake Huron and in the Canadian "North Channel" of Lake Huron. I was fortunate to know a few people who owned boats and were gracious enough to invite me along to join them. Not only did I get sailing and navigating experience I hadn't had before, but there were some really great photo opportunities for me on those trips. Lots of good memories.

I made this image from the bow of our 38 ft sailboat on a multi-day trip into the Canadian North Channel of Lake Huron. We were anchored for the night in a small protected area called John's Island.
Copyright Andy Richards 2008 - All Rights Reserved

WHEN IT comes to photographing marine subjects - particularly boats and harbors - I am a pretty much non-discriminating photographer. I will shoot anything that seems the least bit photogenic. That includes all boats whether large or small, old or new.

This is the Catalina 36' sailboat owned by my good friend and business partner of 30 years, made on a "day sail" on Lake Huron near the "Mighty Mac" (Mackinac) Bridge that crosses from the Michigan Lower Peninsula accross the Mackinac Strait to the Michigan Upper Peninsula
Copyright Andy Richards 2007 - All Rights Reserved

ONE OF the best perspectives to photograph marine subjects is, of course, from a boat. I have often noted the unique opportunity to shoot parts of cities from the deck of a cruise ship. The same advantage can be gotten from smaller boats, as they will often get you a view of your subject that you cannot get anywhere from land. Before the advent of drones and drone photography, that was particularly true.

BOATS AND harbors can also make wonderful contextual venues for photographs. In the fall of 2010, I joined two of my great photography buddies, Rich and Al for a several day trip to Minnesota's "North Shore" along Lake Superior. The North Shore borders the western coast of Superior the largest and northernmost of the Great Lakes. There are wonderful sandstone cliffs along the shore, and to the west are several great rivers with thundering drops and really nice foliage during the fall months. One of the best photographic scenes on the shore (and part of the reason for our choosing the particular dates we were there) is one of the most picturesque lighthouses in the world, Split Rock Light. Once a fully working light, it is today part of Split Rock State Park and is only lit for ceremonial ocassions. Fortunately for all of us, the light has continued to be well maintained by the Minnesota State Parks and the Minnesota Historical Society. I cannot remember the occasion, but it was an anniversary of some description, and the light was going to be lit the night we were there. We decided to scout the location for good composition points early in the afternoon. We were surprised to see a large crowd of tripods on the beach we had determined would be the best vantage point. Asking around, we learned that not only would the light be lit, but there would be fireworks. It was a great night for me as a photographer, complete with a little serendipity.

Split Rock Lighthouse - Split Rock State Park - Two Harbors, Minnesota
Copyright Andy Richards 2010 - All Rights Reserved

YOU MAY be asking at this point, what has this got to do with boats (other than the obvious). Again, I'll try to bring us back to the point. One of my favorite shots was made in the late afternoon (long before the main event), while looking at composition. There were a few boats that decided to scope out the lighting, anchoring in the tiny harbor where we stood viewing the light. One was the sailboat (under auxiliary power) pictured here in the foreground. There is little doubt what the subject in the photograph is. The boat, however, had nice color and late afternoon lighting, and makes a really nice context-setting compositional element. As well, it is very typical of the sailing boats frequently seen in the Great Lakes.

IF YOU are near water, you are bound to see a boat (or boats) of some description. Newport, Rhode Island may well be the sailboat capital of the U.S. (or at least of the U.S. East Coast). It is also home to an important U.S. Navy facility and the U.S. Naval War College. Historically known as "America's First Resort," it has miles of Atlantic Beach and many coves and safe harbors around its tidal lands. At one time during the "Gilded Age," (which ironically predated the Great Depression of the late 1920's and early 1030's) it was a summer home to the "rich and famous," with mansions along its "Cliff Walk," built by such notables as the Vanderbilts. Before all of that, Newport was a haven for religious dissenters during the early settlement of the U.S. as well as for artists. A pretty interesting pedigree. Maybe the most internationally famous thing Newport is known for is its hosting of the America's Cup, an international sailing competition (from 1930 - 1983). There are several large boat building facilities in and around Newport. With that kind of pedigree, it is no wonder that you see so many traditional sailing vessels everywhere you look in Newport. During my trip there back in 2016, Rich and I were photographing a small, very picturesque light perched on a rocky bank of the Narragansett Bay. We had been shooting for a while and waiting for the sunset. Behind the light, it was nice, but not sensational. I turned away to look backward over my left shoulder, noticing the golden orange light just after "old sol" dropped behind the horizon and had the good fortune to see the sailboat pictured completing its run back toward Newport. I had time to make just a couple quick exposures, but it all came together for me to make this one of my all time favorite images.

ANYONE WHO owns (or has owned a boat) knows that boat ownership is not for the faint of heart. All boats require constant maintenance, facilities for storage, and a substantial budget (over and above the initial acquistion cost). In my view, it takes a special dedication to consistently own and maintain a boat for a long period of time. There is an old saying among those "in the know" about boating, that the two best days of boat ownership are the day you first take delivery and the day you sell it. During my lifetime, as I grew up, our family owned several boats and though none of them were large or extravagant, I can attest to the above. It seemed like we spent more time maintaining, cleaning, winterizing and repairing than we did enjoying them. Looking back, I realize it only seemed so. If you are a true boating spirit, the constant maintenance, upkeep and upgrading is a labor of love, and you make the time to reap the benefits of that work. I have personally owned two boats in my lifetime, and have proudly proclaimed that they would be the only boats I every owned. Both were canoes that mostly hung in my garage. 😂 I don't own any boats today.

This classic older pleasure yacht was moored in front of an impressive homestead along the Anclote River, just outside of Tarpon Springs, Florida. I caught it as my neighbor and I cruised by on our way to lunch.
Copyright Andy Richards 2021 - All Rights Reserved

I HAVE said many times, tongue-in-cheek, that the best way to enjoy a boat is to have a friend who has one and is generous. I have been fortunate to have several of them. In my experience, many boat owners enjoy sharing their love for their calling, and enthusiastically welcome "crew" to join them. I have had the good fortune of having a number of such friends and my adult years' boating is all because of that good fortune. I appreciate the opportunities I have been given. Even after I retired and moved to Florida, I have had the good fortune of having a neighbor who will take us out in his boat on The St. Joseph Sound here on the west coast, Gulf of Mexico side of Florida. It is always fun.

This one - also on the Anclote on the way into Tarpon Springs - is a bit more modern, but still clearly a "luxury" boat within our definition (my friend and mine) and managing to maintain those classic lines in a more modern way.
Copyright Andy Richards 2021 - All Rights Reserved

NOT LONG ago, our wives were involved in some kind of social event and my friend, neighbor and boat owner decided he and I would go to lunch. We ran the some 12 miles up the gulf from his mooring in Palm Harbor to the mouth of the Anclote River, and then back down the river into the heart of Tarpon Springs. Along the way, we saw some pretty nice "shacks" on the river, and a couple of them had what we would certainly characterize as "luxury yachts" moored in front of them.

LIKE SO many of our earthly possessions (and ourselves) boats mostly have a useful lifespan and eventually wear out. Over the years, I have seen a few boat "graves." The old wooden boats at one of the boat building and restoration facilities caught my photographic eye. I actually have a more intimate shot of these that I like a lot, but here, I wanted to give a little more context.

THOUGH THEY have outlived their nautical use for the most part, there is - for the photgrapher - a strong redeeming quality here. They make truly fascinating photographic subjects. This is especially true of old wooden boats. The weathered wood, curves and shapes, and even the decay makes great fodder for studies in shape, line, texture, and in the case of the boats in Newport: color. The boat immediately above was shot in Port Clyde, Maine, at the Marina. It was beached and clearly no longer in use. It immediately drew my eye. As found, it was painted white with green trim, and well faded and weathered. I like the original color shot well enough, but from the first time I looked at this one for composition, my mind said "black and white." That's something I don't do very often, but I thought the weathered, decayed old boat had some "stories" in there, and they would best be told in B&W.

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