Thursday, November 13, 2008

Sepia Scenes #4: Pierless Beauty


"Fishing Pier in Atlantic Beach"
Atlantic Beach, NC - October 2008 (Click to embiggen)

Sepia Scenes - Brought to you by Mary the Teach

"Kat"
Raleigh, NC - September 2006 (Click to embiggen)

Sepia Scenes - Brought to you by Mary the Teach

All along the island of Emerald Isle, you'll see scenes like this one. Every town along the island's only highway has at least one fishing pier. Some have more than one. The catch can be virtually anything from here. Flounder are popular, as are spot, bluefish and drum. Sea bass, mackerel and tuna are less common, but not unheard of. Even large bill fish (marlins and the like) can be taken from the piers or the surf on occasion. The coastal waters of North Carolina aren't very far removed from the Gulf Stream (only about 12 miles at Cape Hatteras) giving the area a wide variety of fish from both the warm water of the Gulf Stream and the colder northern currents.

At this particular pier, a handful of sharks spent the summer hanging around feeding off discarded bait and the fish drawn by it, but shark fishing is expressly prohibited on this pier (and most others I suspect). I imagine the issue is less about the safety of the patrons than it is about the liability insurance issues but that's just a guess. On any given day, you'll find anglers of all ages, shapes and sizes lining the rails hoping to land a big one. And frequently they do.

And since Mary The Teach suggested trying a portrait this week, I decided I'd throw one of those in too. Although technically not a formal portrait, this is one of my favorite shots of a local singer I've featured many times before on this blog.

This is Kat, from Sugar (The Band). Sugar is unique in that the same band performs under two different names. As Sugar, they're one of the area's favorite cover bands, but they also perform and record as The Design, in which guise they do all original material. It's a different kind of approach, and I give them credit for managing to keep the two identities straight.

This shot is actually cropped from a photo I took of Kat on stage at an outdoor show. Obviously this isn't the composition or setting you'd use for formal portraiture, but you try getting someone with this much energy to sit still long enough for that!


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18 comments:

Kimmie said...

Very nice work with the sepia tones. I like the story of the first photo. The second is a stunner. She is pretty and the way she looks in these tones only add to her beauty. Great job Mojo. :-)

Anonymous said...

Very nice effects. Number 1 looks timeless now.
The second is great too.

Kahshe Cottager said...

I really like how your photos work with the sepia and they are both so different too. The first one could have been a holiday photo from an old album but the second one is definitely modern and artistic. Both work well with the sepia tones I think!

My Sepia Scenes are here and here.

Annie Jeffries said...

I like this alot and the high contrast really amplifies the moment. It seems to be frozen in time.

marLou said...

The tones on the first one is pinkish and gives it a "sunnier" look. the 2nd image is more brownish and gives it a moody look. Could be her next album cover!

EG CameraGirl said...

The pier scene is definitely a timeless one. Good job!

Not sure how Kat would feel about you trying to make her look older than she is. ;-) Yep, only kidding. I know you weren't trying to do that. ;-)

Unknown said...

Lovely portrait! Two different ids must be hard to keep up with.

Cindy said...

Very nice portrait in sepia!

My Sepia Scene

Jackie said...

I think both are really really good. but, I especially like the pier.

No reason in particular. Because they are both great images. but, I love the sea.

I did not know about the portrait so I don't have one this week.

Mine is here if you get time to stop by!!

http://shinade.blogspot.com/2008/11/sepia-scenes2-illusion-of-light.html

Great job...I wish I had a portrait.:-)

ellen b. said...

Love the pier shot! So many great ideas for what to try in sepia. The portrait shot is very nice too...
http://happywonderer.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/sepia-scenes-cold-springs-tavern/

Pea in a Pod said...

I like the pier shot the most! Nice one as usual:)

Sunshinelene said...

the tone made the protrait lovely! she's a beauty.

and here's mine for the week -
http://sunshine-photoblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/sepia-scenes-4.html

Askew To You said...

I love the moodiness of the sepia. You do a great job with it. I really like how you cropped your portrait, as well.

Carletta said...

"Every town has at least one" - that statement and the sepia tone of your shot evokes The Twilight Zone. :) I love the shadows in this one.
I recall reading last week you probably wouldn't do a portrait - glad you changed your mind. This is wonderful and I agree with Marlou - it would make an excellent album cover for Kat. Love that you only showed half her face.

Dianne said...

Oh man!! I LOVE this

the shadows are so strong
the fishermen have no faces, as though they were painted that way

this is beautiful!!

maryt/theteach said...

When you said the Emerald Isle I thought you were in Ireland, Mojo! Ha! Great pier fish shot in North Carolina! The portrait is excellent and creative! Who wants formal portraiture...? Take a look at my b&w portrait and tell me what you think, if you don't mind. portrait

Ladynred said...

Beautiful shots. Nice portrait.
entry here:
Travelherethere

Daryl said...

warm ... cozy

my immediate reaction was SO many posts .. so I am giving you an immediate reaction to each as I look at them

:-Daryl