This is one in a series of broken down piers in Bradenton Beach. Actually, there are big barriers in front to keep people off, but I’m sure that doesn’t apply to fishermen or photographers, right? In any case, this is one of the last shots you’ll see because they are deconstructing and removing them all. I think that’s kind of sad because I feel they add character, but that’s just me. I’m sure the beach will look even more pristine once they’re gone. In general, I’m all for piers, they give us all a chance to go out over the water with very little effort. And of course I like taking pictures of them at sunset. I guess I’ll just have to focus on something else.
Bubbles on the Beach
Couple of weekends ago I was at the beach and this lady was creating huge bubbles with soap, string and the ocean breeze. She was like the pied piper with all the kids chasing and popping the bubbles as they floated over their heads. Does that sound like fun or what?
Click on photo to enlarge
Treasure Island Kite Festival
Today I went to the Treasure Island Kite Festival here in Florida. It goes without saying there were a lot of kites and this is one of the more exotic ones. It bounced up and down in the gentle breeze and attracted all manner of children that played under it as it gently landed on the sand. There was also a competition with “professionals” displaying flying skills that, quite frankly, astounded me. I had no idea this was such a serious endeavor and the precision demonstrated uh, blew me away. To top it off there was a kite ballet where a group of people would fly kites in unison to music. Lets just say I got a little carried away.
Click on photo to enlarge or order print
Jensen Beach
Seems I’m on a lifeguard stand theme. Whenever I show up they’re deserted, don’t suppose there’s much need for lifeguards to be around at sunrise and sunset. This was at Jensen Beach on Florida’s east coast. As I recall, I got up pretty early and it was only me and a few of those guys with metal detectors. I’m not sure why they are so dedicated to get out as early as they do. Do they really find enough to make it worth their while? I don’t know, I’m just not feeling it.
Click on photo to enlarge
Sun on the Path
This path leads to beach near Tofino, BC and just like the beaches at home in Florida, a stream of people arrive here for sunset each evening. The earth turns, the sun goes down, round and round we go. Play it again Sam. The things that happen with the light at that golden hour drive me a little bit crazy, and if I don’t have a camera, possibly a little more than a little bit. Addiction? Obsession? Perhaps. I suppose there’s no harm as long as nobody gets hurt. And nobody will get hurt, …as long as I have my camera.
Click on photo to enlarge
Different Priorities
I’m up north, away from home, and the only white sand is for snow cones. I pulled this shot out of the archives to remind me that, …well, I forgot already. Lets just say that back home in Florida the priorities are a little different and that’s exactly why all these people up here in Connecticut are so productive, there’s really nothing else to do. I’m not advocating one way or the other, just a simple reminder that if you were in Florida you would be sitting on a beach chair doing absolutely nothing. Aren’t you glad you’re not? BTW: This is model Alecia Lou Dorics on a shoot I did on Anna Maria Island a couple months ago for a local tourism magazine.
Click on photo to enlarge
Siesta Key Lifeguard Stand
When I showed up at Siesta Key beach it was the end of the day and so the lifeguards had already left. However a lot of people were still there, most waiting for the sun to finally set, a common ritual here in Florida. Reminds me of watching the credits roll, you stay to the very end, but I digress. So I walked around snapping shots that I thought were interesting until the very end. About half of the folks got up to leave yet I was surprised by how many people were staying on the beach even in the dark. In fact I saw people coming to the beach to setup their chars in the dark. I suppose that when the weather is warm, you may as well stay for the second show. 😉
Click on photo to obtain print
Sunday at the Beach
I working on my beach shots, so unfortunately that means I have to spend time at the beach. I know, why me, …somebody’s gotta do it. In typical fashion the beach was busy today, but not busy busy. School is starting back up and the majority of tourists have returned home so most of the folks here today are locals and the crowds weren’t that bad. Heck, I even found a parking spot in the shade, and that NEVER happens. As I walked down the beach the umbrellas thinned out and here and there were couples enjoying the peaceful harmony of waves, sun and an ocean breeze before another busy week. After all, we locals gotta work too. 😉 Happy monday everyone.
Click on photo to obtain print.
Beer Can Island
Why on God’s green Earth they call this Beer Can Island I’ll never know. It’s not even an island, just the northern tip of Longboat Key. Nonetheless here I am sneaking a break in my day to capture a few shots of the beach. I’m more of a sunset guy but I thought I’d expand my horizons a little and see what I could do during the day. Easier said than done, you need a polarizer, exposure compensation and blah-de-blah-blah-blah. I was just happy to get out of the office for a few minutes over lunch.
Click on photo to obtain print.
Afternoon at the Beach
This is Siesta Key Beach which is a short drive from my home in Florida. A couple of years ago this was rated the number one beach in the United States. Let’s just stop and think about that for a moment. Somebody actually has a job to go around and pick the best beach. Really? I very much want that job. But I digress. There’s always something fun going on here, I noticed they were set up for a duathlon the next morning and they also have drum circles that gather here every so often. I just thought it was cool how a bunch of friends decided to come here and play volleyball on this afternoon. In any case, I’ll leave you with this scene while I go fill out an application for that beach rating job.
Click on photo to obtain a print.