Month: May 2011

Poco's Bow Street Cantina

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In the latest installation of Portsmouth’s restaurants – Poco’s Bow Street Cantina is featured.  Poco’s is probably best known for its nachos and outdoor deck/watering hole with delicious margaritas and Smuttynose on draft – but they also have a beautiful interior.  Every time I eat indoors, I’m drawn to this beautiful painting with its curvaceous shape – mirroring the street the restaurant is located on (Bow Street).  Looking forward to many outdoor visits throughout the spring/summer as long as mother nature is willing to make it comfortable, but it’s good to know inside I’ll be greeted by some old school New England interior.

Beacon on the Horizon

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The sunset on this particular evening was quite striking – as you’ve seen a few times this week.  This shot features the incredible bright rays of light reaching over the horizon and the Granite State Minerals terminal to bring some rich color to the stormy day.  The cranes and the Middle Bridge make this industrial waterfront scene memorable – and help to give the shot a painterly feel with their reflections on the Piscataqua River.

Rainbow over the Memorial Bridge

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If you see this image – you’ll probably wonder whether the pot of gold is really located at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery.  This night was simply incredible – the sky was ridiculously dynamic, changing from rain soaked and grey to sunny to ominous, and a rainbow even made an appearance in there at some point.  It was awesome to watch unfold, and I was very thankful to be there with camera in hand.  I just wish I’d brought my tripod along for the fun, but as I mentioned earlier in the week – you have to learn to make do with what you’ve got sometimes.  Improvisation can make for some creative and fun shoots.

Celebrate The Tugboats

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This shot celebrates the tugboats – as they’re embraced with the powerful last rays of the stormy late afternoon’s sunlight. I was shocked when I got outside after an intense thunderstorm to see that the sunlight was making its way through some intense afternoon clouds.  Making the evening even more stunning was the fact that it was still sprinkling – and later rained heavily.  I got some keepers from a quick walk around Market Square…and will be posting them through the rest of the week.  If April showers bring May flowers – what do May showers do?

 

At the Portsmouth Brewery

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Each of Portsmouth’s restaurants has its own distinct character.  The Portsmouth Brewery is certainly no exception, and is one of the older dining establishments in town. This fixture of the seacoast brews its own beer on site and features Smuttynose beer as well (its sister brewery)..and has their own coasters.  One of my favorite things to do is to improvise when I’m out shooting – so a natural fit would be to use a pint glass as a tripod when I don’t have the luxury of a tripod with me.  Always makes for an interesting angle.

The Meters at Short Sands | York Beach, Maine

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A simple image from an afternoon that brought me some great memories – filled with rich salty air and playing basketball along the oceanfront.  It’s rare that you can enjoy an empty parking lot at Short Sands beach in York, Maine (near Fun-O-Rama)…and now that I’m all grown up – I have a new appreciation for parking meters without anything to feed quarters into.

In the Garden | Prescott Park

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I was beginning to wonder when we might ever see the sun again in the seacoast.  Late in the afternoon on Friday, it was clear enough to get out for a quick walk – and it was nice to have two relatively dry afternoons in a row.  I found myself in Prescott Park near the gorgeous little garden with these amazingly old trees beginning to take their shape for the season.  The trees are awesome both in the spring and in the winter – when they’re in bloom they are simply beautiful, and when they shed their leaves – their character is unparalleled.  Have a great weekend!

Rain at the Shipyard

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This shot captures the mood of the past week and its weather – washed out, muted and yet serene.  This long exposure is lacking any cloud movement or fascinating elements to make it stand out incredibly, but that’s why I like it.  The simple softness of the flowing water and the lack of color aside from the sign painted on the shipyard building, making readers aware of its birth in 1800.

Old New England at the Wentworth-Gardner

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The story behind the impressive Wentworth-Gardner mansion that stands opposite the waterfront in the South End is a cool one.  Head over to the Wentworth-Gardner’s website to learn more.  I’m very pleased to be part of an opening happening in June that will highlight the history and beauty of the home.  The craftsmanship of the home is incredible, and the moment you step inside the structure, you’re instantly transported back in time.  I highly recommend making a point to check this out sometime this summer once its open house hours return.