Portsmouth’s annual fireworks were delayed by two days due to weather, which was a welcome change – because it meant that I could get out to take some pictures. I was torn on where I wanted to head, but ultimately decided to go to Kittery for some waterfront shots. I knew the fireworks would be somewhere near the North Church, but other than that I didn’t quite know what to expect. Needless to say, I enjoyed the evening!
It has been finished. After many years of starts and stops, the building has finally arrived in all of its waterfront glory. Tenants include a few office users, and Portsmouth’s newest seafood restaurant, Surf Portsmouth. The building has an expansive deck with an incredible view of the water, and I’m sure all tenants on the upper floors will appreciate the knockout views on the water side. It’s wonderful to have our city street back intact on Bow Street, with a very cool staircase leading down to the waterfront. I’d encourage you to check it out, or peek through the windows to see the lush finishes in the entryways – or stop in to Surf for a drink. While the view of the water from Bow Street has disappeared from the old parking lots that once stood in the place of the Martingale, it’s looking infinitely better from the water side and from Kittery, where this shot was taken.
After the sky cleared and the rain returned all at roughly the same time, this incredibly dynamic orange/grey sky took over the sky. Very apocalyptic and beautiful all at the same time.
Chances are – wherever you live, you’re walking the same streets time and time again, sometimes taking the time to look around and take in the scenery – and other times going through the motions. I’m always keen to look out for cool reflections in windows, and have seen numerous good angles on the North Church in the past. This particular day, the late afternoon sunlight was too inviting on the steeple to keep walking by. The warm spring weather had me in good spirits, making a point to enjoy my walk before heading home for the day.
The beacon of Portsmouth stands tall against an interesting evening sky in this magnificently detailed image of the North Church clocktower. I’m sure if I had a lens that would get me closer to the structure, I could have counted every last brick/board/molecule.
One of the things I love most about an intense winter storm in Portsmouth, is the weather’s ability to turn the place into a ghost town. It’s really quite incredible how on the busiest weekends in the summer, you almost can’t walk on the sidewalks of Market Street, yet here in the midst of a winter storm, you can barely find a person unless they have a shovel. It’s a very stark contrast…and one that made me enjoy braving the elements that much more. I think it brings out the intrepid feeling that photographers have tucked away, the one that motivates us to get out of bed at sunrise, or climb just a little further towards the edge of a cliff, or find that unique angle that hasn’t quite been presented before. Either way, more storm photos for all! (Be sure to check back for the next few days – I got so many photos I’m excited about during the storm that I’ll be featuring them until I run out).
Here’s a view that I don’t often spend the time to enjoy. Since I work on State Street, I tend not to get too far out of my typical routine of the main blocks of downtown. After stopping at the Health Food Store, I decided to savor the view from the crosswalk….I never really noticed how distant Market Square can feel from this part of Congress Street (partly from the lens and partly because it’s actually somewhat far and uphill). I love how the Bull Moose sign brings some rich blue color into an otherwise brick-dominated scene.
