A snowy egret takes flight from a salt marsh at the Parker River National Refuge. Once again patience plays a large roll in photographing wild animals. I didn't see much from this trip but sometimes when I find a subject worthy of an image I will wait until there is some action to photograph.
Nikon D810, 1/2500 @ f/8, ISO 1600, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
The shadows of high school marching band students are cast on the turf football field outside Beverly High School during marching band camp.
With summer seemingly slipping away, once again high fall sports and activities are quickly ramping up. I was assigned to photograph one of the local high schools as they practiced during band camp. I had free reign and noticed the students shadows as they marched on the field. I choose a low angle to help emphasize the rows of shadows
Nikon D4s, 1/250 @f/14, ISO 360, 24-70mm
A life sized cardboard cutout of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is seen inside the hall of Gerry 5 at the Marblehead Democratic Town Committee's picnic.
I was looking for creative ways to incorporate the cutout into a photo, however the problem I had was everyone was listening to the speakers and had their backs turned to me. I was hoping for some sort of interaction between the cutout and someone in attendance. I never saw that happen so I captured the scene that was in front of me.
Nikon D4s, 1/250 @ f/4, ISO 18000, 24-70mm
A pig rests while being accompanied by chickens inside the Livestock Barn at Essex Technical High School in Danvers.
My assignment was to photograph some of the updates that have been made to Essex Technical High School in Danvers for an upcoming story. While on a tour of the grounds I was lead into the Livestock Barn where some of the animals were kept. There were a few chickens and rosters around as well as two very large pigs. I was able to take a few quick photographs before being charged by one of the rosters in the barn. My tour guide and I didn't waste any time and quickly left the barn. I was told this was a common occurrence and the rooster only tolerated people he was familiar with.
Nikon D3s, 1/250 @ f/5, ISO 5000, 70-200mm
Topsfield, MA native and 2016 Rio Olympics qualifier in the 5000 meter, Abbey D'Agostino, poses for a photo inside the Harvard University indoor track complex where she trains.
I had the privilege to meet and photograph Abbey a few weeks ago at the Harvard Athletic Complex at Harvard University, one of the sites where she trains. We meet at the indoor track and started taking some environmental portraits. Whenever I show up to an assignment I'm never sure what I'll be faced with. This assignment worked out well, we had the track all to ourselves and didn't have to find an alternative location. I always enjoy meeting people and hearing a little bit about their stories.
Nikon D4s, 1/250 @ f/5, ISO 3200, 24-70mm
Marshall Point Lighthouse is located in a quiet neighborhood near Port Clyde, Maine, and is surrounded by some of Maine's many islands. This lighthouse is probably most famous for being in the movie Forrest Gump.
I made sure to arrive at least an hour before sunset. This gave me time to explore the area and scout out shooting locations. I was expecting a lot of tourists and people hanging around but to my surprise it was fairly quiet and I was able to photograph various angles of the lighthouse without having to worry about people being in my photographs. I made the most out of my long drive and stayed for about 6 hours to capture the lighthouse during sunset and with the stars.
Nikon D810, 20 sec. @ f/2.8, ISO 1600, 24-70mm
Nikon D810, 25 sec. @ f/14, ISO 200, 24-70mm
Nikon D810, 1/4 @ f/14, ISO 200, 24-70mm
I'm always looking for images wherever I go. I captured this photo while on assignment in Somerville. I noticed a bunch of large banners, about 15 feet tall, with graphics on them while walking past a parking lot. The banners were catching my eye but this one with the women in the red dress on it was great. I choose a very low angle and photographed for a few minutes capturing images as the clouds moved past. Waiting for the right shape of clouds made a difference in the final image. Paying attention to colors and how they work together can be a great way to take your images to the next level.
Nikon D3s, 1/500 @ f/11, ISO 200, 24-70mm
A pedestrian walks near the Partners Healthcare building at Assembly Square in Somerville.
My assignment was to photograph the new Partners Healthcare building as well as other construction around the Assembly Square area of Somerville. I had no idea how far along construction was but to my surprise the building looked almost complete. This worked to my advantage and I was able to walk around the square for a bit capturing various angles of the building and the great reflections of the clouds.
Nikon D3s, 1/250 @f/8, ISO 220, 24-70mm
As I was leaving Parker River National Refuge I spotted a snowy egret in one of the salt pannes. I almost didn't stop because egrets are there all the time but I couldn't resits the opportunity. I spent a while photographing the egret as it fished. I had a few shots that worked out well, but this one is the best. It was incredible to see how easily the egret was able to hunt for its food.
Nikon D810, 1/2500 @ f/8, ISO 800, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
Glover's Regiment captain, Seamus Daly, left, looks on as soldier Frank Lyons, center, fires his musket during a mock skirmish with soldiers from the Crown Forces during the Glover's Regiment annual encampment at Fort Sewall in Marblehead.
Attending the annual Glover's Regiment encampment is like stepping back in time. One of the highlights is the mock battle that take place around historic Marblehead harbor and Fort Sewall. The event is rich in history and a great place to capture fun photographs. To see more images check out Wicked Local Marblehead.
Nikon D3s 1/800 @ f/5.6, ISO 400, 70-200mm
Isabel Andrews, assistant coach, spots Alena Thalput, 13, as she leaps a wall gap at Somerville High School during the Somerville Recreation Department Parkour program.
For this image I chose to use a low angle to help clean up a distracting background and used the leading lines of the stairs and handrail to lead the viewers eye into the frame.
Nikon D4s, 1/800 @ f/6.3, ISO 100, 24-70mm
A lot of the time when I photograph wildlife at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge I use my car as a blind. Large shorebirds like egrets are less skittish of people than smaller birds, but a good way to get as close as possible is to not get out of you car. I usually find a good spot, stop and turn off the car and photograph through an open window. Most of the time this technique works out well.
Nikon D810, 1/2500 @ f/9, ISO 500, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
Nikon D810, 1/2500 @ f/9, ISO 560, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
I didn't plan on photographing a newly hatched piping plover chick but one morning at Sandy Point State Reservation I was confronted with a very willing subject. Usually these tiny shorebirds are difficult to photography. One reason is because they are very small and also extremely quick, making framing a photograph a challenge. However this piping plover chick gave me plenty of opportunities to take its portrait.
Nikon D810, 1/2000 @ f/9, ISO 560, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
Nikon D810, 1/1600 @ f/7.1, ISO 220, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
People watch the Fourth of July fireworks at Singing Beach in Manchester by the Sea.
It's always fun to photograph fireworks. The challenge with photographing fireworks that tell a story is trying to capture the bright colorful fireworks as well as exposing for the general scene. It takes some experimentation and since some fireworks are bright and some are darker, your photos will all look a little different.
Fuji XT-1, 1 second @ f/5, ISO 3200, 18-55mm
Fuji XT-1, 1 second @ f/4, ISO 320, 18-55mm
Fuji XT-1, .5 second @ f/5, ISO 3200, 18-55mm
Whenever possible I enjoy taking time to do a little wildlife photography. One of my favorite places is the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury. Like most wildlife photography trips you never know what you'll see or if you'll see anything at all. The day started off slow. It was hot and sunny and I wasn't seeing a lot of birds but I decided to stick around anyways. After a couple of hours I was able to find a Snowy Egret feeding in one of the salt pannes and as I was photographing the egret a Glossy Ibis came to feed as well. Sometimes all you need is a lot of patience and a little luck.
Nikon D810, 1/2000 @ f/7.1, ISO 500, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
Nikon D810, 1/2000 @ f/7.1, ISO 800, 500mm with a 1.4x teleconverter
I'm very fortunate to live in an area with multiple lighthouses. I've photographed the north light of the Twin Lights many times before but never with a full Strawberry Moon. These are NOT photoshopped images and only took a little planning and a some luck from Mother Nature. Using the app The Photographer's Ephemeris I was able to put myself in roughly the right area to catch the moon as it rose above the Twin Lights in Gloucester last night. Luckily the clouds held off long enough for me to capture this image. Digital technology has made creating images like this easier to plan and possible to execute without the need for Photoshop.
Nikon D810, 1/25 @ f/6.3, ISO 400, 70-200mm
Nikon D810, 1/20 @ f/6.3, ISO 400, 300mm with 1.4x
Westwood's Andrea Meincke holds up the MIAA Division 1 girls lacrosse state championship trophy for the fans after their win over North Andover, 13-7, at Boston University.
Championship games always allow for a chance to get a nice trophy shot. From experience I knew one of the team captains would bring the trophy over to show the fans. I headed over towards the bleachers and waited. This shot happened to work out just as I hoped it would. Anticipating the moment and experience got me to the right spot at the right time.
Nikon D3s, 1/800 @ f/9, ISO 400, 24-70mm
Members of Joseph Vigliotta's family cheer as his name is called to receive his diploma during the Danvers High School graduation inside the high school field house.
While looking for candid moments of graduates with their diplomas and cheering on their classmates I happened to hear the crowd start to cheer loudly. It was clear what the crowd was reacting to and I was able to get my shot.
Nikon D3s, 1/250 @ f/5, ISO 4000, 70-200mm
Mack Brunot celebrates after receiving his diploma during the Malden High School graduation at MacDonald Stadium.
Graduations offer a lot to photograph. There seems to be endless photo opportunities if your in the right place at the right time and are able to anticipate the moment. Sometimes the cheering from the crowd as a graduates name is called to receive their diploma can help you gauge if a student may celebrate as they receive their diploma.
Nikon D3s, 1/1250 @ f/4, ISO 200, 70-200mm
Benjamin Murphy, left, and Braun Stephanos, right, of Premier Builders cut a window frame to size during a Habitat for Humanity affordable home project in Ipswich.
I was given free reign to roam around the construction site. There were a lot of photo opportunities between all the different projects going on at the house. I noticed two men carrying a large frame and followed them. I made a few images of them as they worked. I like how the frame they are working on helps my composition by the use of "leading lines".
Nikon D4s, 1/250 @ f/6.3, ISO 100, 24-70mm