From 2007, a visit to Nova Scotia produced a capture of the tidal variation at the town of Digby.
Summer of 2007 my wife and I took a trip to Nova Scotia, as there was a dog agility event being held there. Rather than spending the entire day at the event, I took some side trips to explore a bit more of this magnificent area.
One of these explorations had me in the wonderful town of Digby on the Bay of Fundy at low tide…
Low Tide on the Bay
The Bay of Fundy has phenomenal tidal variation as can be seen from the markings on the dock and the position of the boats.
After I took this shot, I found it to be kind of flat, as the clouds were too bright in the image; it’s something that nowadays I would have photographed with a bracketed series of exposures to increase the overall dynamic range of the image. It was not until several years later that I re-processed the image with a single image HDR technique, as well as adding some texture to the image itself.
As I still like what I captured here, this will be on my list of images to re-process with some of the skills that I have picked up over the years, so I can get it to the next level.
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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4 thoughts on “Bay of Fundy”
I think it is a beautiful beautiful photo! It gives me a feeling of being forlorn and seems to be very still and peaceful, and a little stormy!
I think it is a beautiful beautiful photo! It gives me a feeling of being forlorn and seems to be very still and peaceful, and a little stormy!
Thank you! Yes, it’s the kind of mood that I enjoy capturing in my photography.
I remember you posting this picture Frank.
It’s an oldie that I still enjoy.