Do Extraordinary Things
Early morning at the marina.
This morning I wanted to get a nautical scene to feature the various boats and sailboats that are so often associated with Marha’s Vineyard.
This marina in Vineyard Haven is the first thing a lot of people see when they arrive at the island because it is the location of one of the main ferry terminals. So I thought it would be fitting to come here for today’s sunrise.
This was my first shot of the morning and I knew immediately it was going to be the one.
Orange morning at the marina.
What is it about boats that soothes the soul?
Sometimes I wonder if my photography is actually art, or if it is more of a science. After all, I didn’t create the sunrise. Those are not my colors in the sky, or my scenery all around. I’m just trying to capture it in the most accurate way possible. And there are a lot of technical aspects of photography such as knowing how to use the equipment and getting the correct exposure.
So, is this really art? There are plenty of artistic photographers out there who are far more creative than me.
I suppose the art in my photography comes from the composition and choice of subject matter, as well as the manner in which I am depicting it all, even if it is “realistic” in my mind’s eye. Seeing an image in one’s head and then re-creating that image with a camera is truly an art.
Additionally, art has some sort of meaning which is open for interpretation. So what is the meaning of a sunrise? It is whatever you want it to be.
This project was born not from the love of making photographs, but from the desire to make positive improvements in my life. If someone out there looks at my photography and is inspired to do something positive or fulfilling in their own life, then I would consider myself successful as an artist.
Fast moving clouds and an orange glow near the horizon provided some drama at the marina this morning.
Often you will hear people describe an amazing scene they experienced, and they will show you a picture they took of it and say, “this photo doesn’t do it justice.” I’ve said that many times myself. One of my goals with this project is to get my photography to the point where I don’t have to say “this photo doesn’t do it justice” anymore. I’m sure it is impossible to get the to that point 100% of the time, but the idea is to try to really capture the essence of the scene with each photograph as much as possible.
Sailboats on a misty morning. There’s something about fog that is quiet and tranquil. And there’s something about sailboats that is calm and peaceful. Therefore, I felt in some ways the two would go nicely together, and that combination is what I tried to capture out by the water this morning.