Masonboro Island-Wrightsville Beach

Our friend CAZ.

Looking South.

This past Saturday was about Wrightsville Beach in all its glory. It was simply perfect. I got to spend the day boating with some friends and my wife, Mickie, and we went out and anchored at Masonboro Island. As you can see from the photos, just another day in paradise!

 

Slow Return to Normalcy

As we slowly move toward the end of August we enter that time on the island that most of the locals refer to as "my favorite time of year".

A new energy moves onto our sands as the students from UNCW return before the start of classes and suddenly the beach strand becomes even more vibrant as their presence takes the pace of WB up just a notch. Then you notice that with the students arriving, its like the changing of the guard, as the crowds start to thin a little, and the tourists numbers begin to dwindle. So, with this influx of new energy we start to also experience the calm of approaching Fall. The water is still warm, blue skies prevail, the air becomes a little crisper and WB really becomes magical.

Long walks become the norm as the beach starts to provide a little more solitude than that offered during the summer season. The water seems to become more colorful and reflects the incredible blue often seen in the North Carolina skies. Its just another reminder of how those of us who live at Wrightsville Beach, embrace it so warmly. Not a bad place to be a photographer as well. Its beauty offers many personal photo ops.

Its sometimes hard not to take my surroundings for granted as I go through the daily routines my life requires. That said, after a day of work, as I drive over the Causeway bridge, I am always refreshed and in awe of the beauty.

I like to often quote an old friend who once said " every time I drive over that bridge, it blows air up my skirt". Enough said.

Lightweight, Portable, Light Stand!

I just took delivery of some new lightstands and if you are a photographer who tries to keep in the Strobist mode, which is minimalist lighting equipment, than these are worth a look. I have been guilty of lugging around this light bag with my gear that resembles a small golf bag!

I have some stands which are more suitable for large light heads and they work great. However, transporting them when they are needed became quite the production. And the bag is just large!

Having grown weary fast of the weight, awkwardness and effort of my existing stands, I decided to do something about it. Since I use sb800's, I really don't need a heavy duty stand.

Manfrotto had a compact stand, the 3373, but it has been discontinued and they are hard to find, even on EBay. The replacement is the Bogen Manfrotto 001B Nano stand which is what I recently purchased. It weighs  2lbs,  folds to 19 inches, extends to over 6 feet and is very stable. You may have to weight the base if you are shooting outside in windy conditions, but it holds a stand-to-flash adaptor, sb800 and 43" umbrella with no problem. And it is easy  to move around.

Once you see how suitable these stands are for location work, you'll probably agree they are a must have for the photographer on the go. Of course, now I have to look for a smaller bag! Anyway, check them out.

Click on the Title of the post if you want to go to where I purchased mine.

Access 21

"21" is how we refer to our beach access here at Wrightsville Beach. We have the same cast of regulars who come faithfully to our part of the island. Young and old and from every walk of life, they all have one thing in common, a love of  sun, surf and the magic of Wrightsville Beach.

Its a special place to live and work and it gives so much in return. Not a day passes when I am not in awe of the beauty of this place.It is truly special. I am fortunate to call WB home. Have a great day! 

Katama Airfield Slideshow

I hope you click on the above link and enjoy the slideshow.

Katama Airfield

I just spent a wonderful Marthas Vineyard vacation visiting and photographing my friends and the crew at Katama Airfield. In case you don't know, Katama is a sweet, VFR only, grass air strip on Martha's Vineyard. You can actually fly in, park your plane and go to the beach. Its crazy.

If you want a cool 

adventure you can hire Classic Aviators to take you on an Island tour, with or without acrobatics, and experience the thrill of air in your face flying.

Thats right, they use Waco biplanes and it is out of another era. I had never experienced open cockpit flying and I have to tell you, its like nothing else. Enjoy the photos and if you get to the Vineyard, stop by and see Mike, Geoff, Paul and crew and let them give you a memory.Oh yeah,and don't forget to have a bite to eat at the airfield restaurant.