Nautical Impressions

A part of digital photography quite enjoyable for me is the digital darkroom. Often, in the past, when working with film, negatives or prints I would not be satisfied with the results from the lab. A close friend and I set up a BW darkroom in his basement but it still didn't get the results I wanted. Then along comes the digital age and I haven't looked back.

An element of the digital darkroom unexpectedly discovered is the rendering of a photographic image; altering the color balance, contrast, light enhancements and filtering. This is an element I'm constantly exploring, learning more from and engaging with my images on new levels. This page ~ Nautical Impressions is going to be a gallery of just such works.

Hope you enjoy...

BEACH WALKERS

Title:       Beach Walkers                                                                                                        Photographer:    J. Foster Fanning

Some images appealing due in large part to their simplicity. Beach Walkers fits that billing. Sand, water, reflections and two walkers, or parts thereof. This impression was captured on Pacific Beach, WA State.

Pacific Beach, Washington

In 1902, the Northern Pacific Railway opened the route to Pacific Beach from the Aberdeen-Hoquiam area.  The beach soon became a popular destination for Sunday train excursions from much of Washington States western coast area. Razor clams were plentiful, surf fishing was productive and picnicking on the beach couldn't have been finer. In 1906, the Pacific Beach Hotel opened and prospered as a resort destination. One day in 1913, more than 5,000 people came by train to Pacific Beach and Moclips for a giant picnic.

Flat and unprotected from Pacific storms, Pacific beach and Moclips are about as close to the ocean beach as any town in Washington. Geographically, Moclips might even be considered actually on the beach. Besides being ravaged by several major fires early in the early 1900’s, Moclips has been decimated by fierce storms over the years -- especially a big one that blew through in 1911.

WOMAN ON BEACH

Title:       Woman on Beach                                                                                              Photographer:    J. Foster Fanning

This is a subject I really like, a lone person in nature, the quietness of the moment. To me the image speaks of contemplation. Things are happening ans she is taking the time to notice; the movement of the waves and tides, clouds crossing the sky, wind in the trees. All of this combined with the shoal beach and distant mountains compose a simple image.
The photo was shot on Clark Island in Rosario Strait, east side of the San Juan Island group.

Clark Island - Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

Clark Island encompasses 55 acres and is located in the San Juan Islands of Washington State. Clark and Barnes Islands are just northeast Orcas Island, the largest of the San Juan group. Clark Island Marine State Park has seven primitive campsites, and nine mooring buoys.

Charles Wilkes named the island during the Wilkes Expedition of 1838-1842, in honor of midshipman John Clark, who was killed during the 1812 Battle of Lake Erie. Previously Clark and Barnes Islands, had been named Islas de Aquays in 1792, by the Spanish explorer Francisco de Eliza, in honor of Eliza's patron, the Viceroy of Mexico, Juan Vicente de Güemes Padilla Horcasitas y Aguayo, 2nd Count of Revillagigedo.

ROLFE COVE, MATIA ISLAND

Title:       Rolfe Cove, Matia Island                                                                       Photographer:    J. Foster Fanning

Captured this image from the dock in Rolfe Cove one spring day. The late, yet southerly sun, filtered by a thing layer of clouds silhouetted this sailing vessel and dimmed the background landscape.

Matia Island State Park is 145 acres in size, and located in the San Juan Islands, Washington state U.S.A. Rolfe Cove on the northwest corner of the island faces it’s neighboring marine state park of Sucia. Rolfe Cove has several mooring buoys and limited dock.
History has it that in April of 1892  Elvin H. Smith sailed to Matia Island and took up residence to stake a claim. Smith was an embittered veteran of the Civil War and lived for almost 30 years in a cabin on a bay in the island's southeast corner. He was dubbed “The Hermit of Matia Island”. Smith vanished during a storm on February 23, 1921 while rowing his supply laden boat from nearby Orcas Island.

Matia Island - Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

SAILING DORY

Title:       Sailing Dory                                                                               Photographer:    J. Foster Fanning

Owner / builder Larry Silva sailing his handmade dory on Curlew Lake during an annual regatta. I like the lines associated with this vessel and it's sails. The full roach main, working jib, the angle of the hull in the water. It all works for me.

Curlew Lake

Seven mile long Curlew Lake is located in Ferry County, Washington State, U.S.A. and is just under a 1,000 acres surface area in size. The lake sits in a glacier carved valley at the foot of a now dormant and very ancient volcano, Mount Elizabeth. Ten miles south of the lake is the town of Republic.

 

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