f5.0 | 1/100sec | ISO100
According to some sources (ref 1, ref 2, ref 3), this is the number one photographed lighthouse in America. I’m not sure how lighthouse photography statisticians measure this figure, however I doubt they are far off. As a kid I lived 10 min from this prestigious landmark. My friends and I played in the surrounding park and generally took for granted that tourists from literally all over the globe came to see this admirable lighthouse.
Given it’s natural backdrop, shooting a decent frame of Portland Headlight is easy. However, to get a unique shot takes some doing since… well… there’s a lot of photos of this lighthouse out there.
After some searching, I was surprised by how few reflection shots I found. Since it’s right on the water this was one of the first angles I considered pursuing. Although it took some precarious far leaning over a tidal pool with my lens less than 5cm above the water surface, I think this was worth it. I haven’t seen any other shots by Maine photographers or otherwise which mirror the headlight like this and I’m glad to have a unique take on this famous scene.
Below are some frames that took less effort than my tidal pool exploits, but still have appeal in my opinion.
Directions to Portland Headlight.
History of Portland Headlight.
f5.6 | 1/125sec | ISO100
Wonderful shots! I once did a watercolor painting of this lighthouse from a picture I found on the internet. But this summer I hope to get there to take photos of it myself! I hope I’ll be able to try a shot like this. Thanks for the idea and the info.
I hope you do get to see it in person since it’s quite handsome. If you have time, maybe bring the watercolors too!
I use to live at this light house and I was one of the keepers what a rare priviledge that was, imwas there from 1980-1983 and I lived with my family on the right hand side of it as you look at the front. I was in the us coast guard then. the house is a duplex and both sides are laid out exactly the same , just opposite. Youm have 4 bed rooms upstairs, 3 are regular size and one is very small, the bathroom is upstairs also, and it is small as heck lol. , downstairs, you had a dining room, living room and kitchen, and in the basement, you had the washer and dryer, and the furnace. the rooms were old but big, there was no air condition, , never needed it, but in the winter, it was heated with radiators. hot water circulating though the system. The fire place was blocked off. I loved it, great priviledge to have lived there!
like these photos!!!
I was wondering how you’d got the ocean so flat, forgot about the tide pools on that side. Great work.
Bingo Stickman. During high tide it’s possible to get shots similar to the ones I posted. I warn you though, it’s still tricky and a pain, but it’s possible.
Thanks for stopping by.
Andrew
These are wonderful photos! I am curious to know as to how in the world they actually know that that particular lighthouse is the most photographed one. My fav photo is the one where it looks as though you are hiding in the brush to get the photo.
I actually went back to this lighthouse this morning. As I watched some Italian speaking tourists delight in taking photos of the headlight growing out of their heads, that same question came to my mind.
Honestly, I don’t know. I think it’s likely based on how many photos get published to a sampling of photo sites (like flickr) and magazines etc… That’s how I would go about it. In the end it seems like a really useless piece of data except to attract tourism. However, in Maine a large amount of income is generated from tourism so I guess I can’t knock it.
Andrew
Andrew, these are great and unusal perspectives on this lighthouse. The day we went it was perfectly clear, but we weren’t dressed for adventure so took the straight-on shots from the path. Glad you ventured out near the water, it definitely paid off. Well done!
Thanks Kris. Is there anywhere you haven’t been?
Ha ha, plenty of places. I really want to go to Iceland, but I think our next stop will be French Polynesia.