Eventide.

In an effort to find new and interesting places to shoot, I have joined up with a group of photographers who meet a couple of times a month to shoot a specific New England location/event.

My first outing with them was for some sunset and night shooting last week. I picked this particular gathering, because I have a LOT to learn about low-light and night photography... I got some help experimenting with some new techniques, and managed to come away with a few things that I liked...

This one was taken a bit late for me to catch the best light/color, but I liked the way the sun looked behind the bridge.

The works.

I was in Exeter visiting friends on Saturday during the American Independence Festival. This annual festival includes historic role players, a traditional NH artisan's village, and the opportunity to view early drafts of the Constitution, amongst other Revolutionary-era delights.

After dinner, we walked down to Swasey parkway to check out the fireworks display and listen to Mr. Nick's Blues Mafia. I decided to bring the camera, but leave the tripod at home, so I wasn't expecting great things.... But I did get a few halfway decent shots. Here's my favorite.

Coastal bliss.

This shot was taken on the very spot where friends of mine were married on Saturday. Can you imagine a better backdrop for a summer wedding? It was a beautiful day--one of those perfect summer Maine coast days when it feels like the sign at the NH/Maine border on interstate 95 is absolutely right, and not the least bit pretentious. This truly is "The Way Life Should Be."

Got Moo?

Yes, you guessed it--I spent this past weekend with the cows, in lovely Vermont! I had a great time visiting some (human) friends who live just outside of Montpelier. Everything is so gorgeously green there this time of year! And my beautiful bovine friend shown here was (literally!) eating it up.

Have a seat.

Recently, I spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Wentworth By The Sea hotel in New Castle, NH. This picturesque Victorian-era hotel has recently been lovingly restored, upgraded and re-opened by Marriott. They did a fantastic job balancing the old with the new. The gardens and grounds have been kept very much in the spirit of the originals, right down to this crisply ornate bistro chair.