Copyright Nathan Montgomery, 2008
Hatteras Light is the tallest lighthouse in the United States and the tallest brick lighthouse in the world. As one of North Carolina's most recognizable images, it's also probably been photographed more than any other structure in the state. With over-photographed subjects, it's always tough to take a picture that isn't just a ho-hum image that every local has already seen a hundred times.
I spotted the location for this shot when we were on the Hatteras Light viewing platform with some friends earlier this week. When we got back down all 240 steps, I worked my way through some brush (and caught some poison ivy in the process) to the spot, only to find that I didn't have an unencumbered view of the lighthouse. I considered moving closer to exaggerate the distance between the two dead trees in the image, but then, I lost the perspective on the stump in the front and center of the frame. Inevitably, like most photography for those of us who don't get hours to scout out locations, this shot became about compromises. I think I succeeded in finding an unusual perspective on a familiar subject, even if it is a bit flawed photographically.
2 comments:
I like it!
We never see the light house in any context except the beach, sand and shore. The Greenery and the stump certainly are a new view... but it would be hard to justify getting poison Ivy ( for me )
great shot
dad
Hatteras Light is actually surrounded by at least a quarter mile of pines in all directions (other than the 50 yard-wide path that got cleared when it was moved 9 years ago). And our state toast boasts NC to be "the land of long leaf pine", so I'm not sure why more photographers don't incorporate the considerable greenery around the lighthouse.
Someday, I'd like to give myself a few hours to scout out locations one day, before returning the next day to shoot. I think that you could get some really nice shots there.
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