Entries from October 2010

October 17, 2010

The Clock at Sunset

I know that you’ve seen a lot of the North Church lately.  So have I.  I think that’s a good thing – this particular shot was fascinating to me…the perfect colors of the setting sun on a fall night, along with the subtle variations of the contrasting lighting on each side of the clocktower.  I really love this shot, as soon as I see it it strikes me as imposing…which isn’t always the case with a steeple/clocktower.  The image filling the frame along with the biting sharpness of the lines are all good elements, but what drove it home for me was the fact that each side of the structure had such different lighting – almost like the evil twin lurking on the other side of the clock (thanks to the perfectly placed setting sun).

As a bonus – check out the shot below of the headquarters for the New Hampshire Film Festival taking place in Portsmouth this weekend….at the Residence Inn at Portwalk Place.

New Hampshire Film Festival HQ at the Residence Inn

October 16, 2010

Adrian Grenier at 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

Adrian Grenier at 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

Adrian Grenier at 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

Adrian Grenier (star of HBO hit series Entourage) came to Portsmouth, NH to promote his latest documentary titled “Teenage Paparazzo”.  It’s an engagingly interesting look at the celebrity/voyeuristic culture in our country and the obsession with digging beneath the facade of fame.  Check out Adrian’s website for more details on the project here: www.teenagepaparazzo.com – I’m looking forward to catching the full screening over the weekend.  Adrian Grenier at 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

The most fascinating part of the visit for me was the fact that despite thinking during the screening of the film that the paparazzi culture was ridiculous, I was just as fascinated and interested in capturing the moment of Adrian’s visit as all of the cutthroat photographers in LA appear to be.  Adrian Grenier at 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

Adrian Grenier at 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

October 15, 2010

10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival

This weekend marks the 10th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival!  Read more about the history of the festival and get the full schedule for the weekend by visiting the official website at NH FILM FESTIVAL.  I’m very thankful and appreciative to be a part of this year’s event….if you’ve seen the banner or the official guide to the festival around town (shown above), you’ll have seen one of my shots of Congress Street looking up towards Market Square and the North Church.  The program was designed by the talented folks at Vital Design here in Portsmouth, and I think it came out phenomenally from cover to cover.

I attended the evening portion of New Hampshire day, which is traditionally held on the festival’s first day – and it featured several ridiculously good short films.  I don’t want to spoil it other than to encourage you to catch them yourself sometime this weekend when they’re shown again!  I’m in awe of all of the talented people that have come together to make this event possible…from the coordination of the dates, venues, sponsors, etc. to all of the creative and brilliant filmmakers who bring their product for the masses to see.  I’m looking forward to enjoying films throughout the weekend…and look forward to meeting some new faces and reconnecting with some familiar ones.

Dan Hannon

It’s worth noting that Entourage star and actor, musician & director Adrian Grenier will be in town on Friday to promote his documentary, “Teenage Paparazzo”….will be cool to have an international star hanging out to share some insight on his latest project.

NHFF 2010 | The Music Hall

Marc Dole

Juston McKinney

Head over to the Gallery HERE for more shots from Thursday night! (More to come throughout the weekend)

October 14, 2010

A Coastal Morning

It’s rare lately that I get to spend a good chunk of time roaming the seacoast, but I was lucky to do so last month.  I went out cycling and meandered through Portsmouth and New Castle when I wanted to be sure to capture a couple of my favorite scenes along the coast.  The shot above is of the (former?) Piscataqua Cafe on the back channel of the Piscataqua River in New Castle (previously featured HERE with its quaint front porch).  Below, a couple quiet boats sit docked on the shore of Sagamore Creek.  Mornings are getting colder and colder, which means they’ll be nice and peaceful for some interesting material through the next couple months.

October 13, 2010

Brazo Restaurant

It’s no secret that I work very close to the intersection at State and Pleasant Street.  I don’t spend too much time wandering this area during the warmer months, as I tend to roam a bit further and head towards the waterfront….but these days when light retreats quickly and the temperatures are a bit cooler, I tend to walk a little closer to the car and drive further out.  I decided to see what the new lens would do on a nearby favorite restaurant of mine, Brazo.  As far as photography goes, I love the evening light on the building and the interesting archways along with the colorful signage.  The contrast of the bright blue Marple & James building next door and the brick mansion behind it adds to the depth and character of the shot.

I’ve had several great meals at Brazo – and while I definitely can’t afford to include it as a regular spot, I always look forward to returning.  Rumor has it that the band that plays on Latin night (on the 1st & 3rd Friday of each month) is fantastic and worth making the trip.  I’ll have to investigate at some point -but in the meantime I hope you enjoy today’s post.

October 12, 2010

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Prison

I thought it might be time to revisit the old and decrepit, yet still frightening, Naval Shipyard Prison.  The sky was about as crystal clear as you could ask for – which isn’t a good thing for my intentions here…but it highlighted the contrast of the structure against the moving Piscataqua River and the sky above.  I imagine this was a pretty horrific place to be holed up as either a guard or a prisoner, and as I learn each time I take a harbor cruise – there were reportedly commands to shoot any escapees on sight as they fled the prison.  (Sounds like a pretty rugged place to me).

I love the textures and the atmosphere that this lens is giving to each shot….it’s been a challenge and a pleasure to try and find appropriate subjects to shoot with it, and good conditions that either make for good drama or just something to make your eyes happy.  I’m sad to see the days shortening – but it should make for some good night photography as I’m forced once again out of my comfort zone while out shooting.

October 11, 2010

Moonrise at The Lake

Everyone loves a full moon.  When it begins to rise just over the horizon, it can look almost otherworldly and huge as it hovers over our landscapes.  We were lucky to have nearly a full moon when out west, but I almost equally love the tiny sliver of a crescent moon as the monthly cycle begins again.  It’s always a treat when the moon has been missing for a few days then out of nowhere you surprise yourself and catch the tiny slice somewhere in the sky.  I happened to notice the moon yesterday as it was rising and headed towards some interesting stuff to try and get a few good shots at Rockland Lake in New York.

These were also taken with the 100mm Hasselblad lens, and the shot below was interesting to me as the foreground elements are sharp as a tack while the background falls off into a nice soft texture.