I've walked along Glover's Regiment and captured their annual march in honor of General Glover's Birthday on three prior occasions but each year feels like a new experience. This year I was running late so missed the march but made it to Old Burial Hill in time to hear Seamus Daly recount the life of John Glover and then managed one perfect frame of the three volley salute. My ears are still ringing...
Before the first volley of fireworks is launched overhead, Marblehead residents (with help from the Boy Scouts) light flares encircling the harbor. The red flares are perfectly balanced by the deep blues of the sky and water in this blue hour. This year, I captured the view around Chandler Hovey Park from across the harbor at Fort Beach. With it being low tide, I was able to make my way between rocks for a water level view of the boats waiting for the show and the lights reflected in the harbor.
So this may be my favorite shot from Glover's Regiment firing of the new cannon at Fort Sewall on Independence Day in Marblehead. I had envisioned the shot I ended up sharing first - that of the cannon firing with Marblehead Light visible behind the fire and smoke. But after capture that image, and with the cannon being fired 13 times at noon, I had the opportunity to explore other angles and compositions. This one was captured from directly behind the cannon and I started firing off shots as soon as one member of the Regiment placed a flaming torch [...]
At noon on the Fourth of July, Glover's Regiment fired off the new cannon at Fort Sewall 13 times while reading the Declaration of Independence between volleys. It was a perfectly Marblehead moment and I was lucky to be able to capture the incredible plume of fire from several of the cannon shots. Photographer's note: I'm really glad they fired 13 times as this was maybe number 10. I had overexposed the first two and then there were several after that they were mostly smoke with a very small of fire. This and one other were the best exposed and [...]
As they do every year for well over a hundred years, Glover's Regiment met at the Old Town House and marched up Washington Street to Old Burial Hill where three volleys were fired into the cold night to commemorate the life of General John Glover. This year featured a new recruit carrying a flag reading 'My Appeal to Heaven' as well as a first for me - the Regiment walked around Redd's Pond to reach General Glover's burial site due to the icy conditions along the steps leading up to Old Burial Hill. Here are images from the night: [...]
A fun start to the New Year with a fortunate capture during the annual Epiphany tree burning. I normally post first thing in the morning but this seemed more fitting as an evening share... I have shot the Christmas tree bonfire from almost every angle over the past few years since its resumption - slightly above from the Neck Run Cafe, across the water from Red Steps off Cliff Street and way above with my drone. I hadn't yet shot from across the causeway and so that was my destination on Thursday, January 6. I arrived to my spot before [...]
After a one year hiatus and thanks to the National Grand Bank, the annual Horribles Parade was back on the Fourth of July. I used to bring my kids to this every year and they would scamper for thrown candy. They may have aged out of the tradition but I certainly haven't... As has been tradition, Uncle Sid led the parade with music and a patriotic outfit. There is a video on my IG and FB accounts from the parade which I had shared live and then saved to those social accounts if you want a live view of the [...]
The complete opposite of the last shot - this was a really tough shot to get. It was really cold on this February evening, there was almost no light and we were all gathered between headstones at Old Burial Hill (with two newspaper photographers there as well). I had no room for a tripod so opened up the lens to its maximum aperture and adjusted the ISO so I could handhold and be assured of a sharp image. I used the lanterns as a focal point (partly because it was too dark to focus on anything else). With a shutter [...]
Earlier today, the sky seemed promising for a nice sunset so I made sure to get my gear in the car and headed out a little before 4pm with Crocker Park as my planned destination. I drove down Darling Street then to Front and could not find anywhere to park along the way. I continued to the State Street Landing where parking was plentiful and pulled in just as Glover's Regiment began marching towards me. I hadn't heard anything about an event but with, clouds thickening, quickly pivoted to this as plan B. I changed lenses and set up making [...]
The rain on Friday should have been my first clue but somehow the weekend came and went and it was only near the end of two picture perfect days that I remembered - this should have been the weekend of the carnival. I really love the carnival and have made it a point to shoot it each year. I remember being particularly excited for this year's event as I was told that Cushing Amusement had purchased a new taller ferris wheel that lit up and would have made a great centerpiece of any composition. I'm not sure if it helps [...]