Nikon FE2 This was a very fun photo series I did back in the spring. During one of my visits to the local Hamburg Beach there was a lot of drift wood pushed up the beach after the fall and winter seasons and some of it was rather picturesque. It happens every year and is the result of the beach being in the southeast corner of Lake Erie.

I returned back within just a few days but to my surprise, I found the beach almost empty, all debris cleared. The crews must have been very busy. As so many times, it confirmed that if there is a picture to be taken, it should be done right away. Returning back to improve or revisit is always an option but one has to start somewhere. And if it is a unique situation that catches one's eye, no time should be wasted. Clearly, a beach can be cleaned, trees can disappear, old barns can collapse, and my most recent experience showed that a whole house can disappear without a trace (other than the empty lot).

Broken Staff2024 Driftwood Series

Broken Staff, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

Not all was lost though, there were still a few pieces of driftwood either freshly washed up or able to escape their removal. It was a different approach to the planned Drift Wood series but I liked the challenge of searching for subject matter. After all, what's there to complain about walking around a beach and watching waves crashing in? Yes, it was after some weather moved through and the lake was rather talkative.

Driftwood Pattern2024 Driftwood Series

Driftwood Pattern, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

Each piece of wood was different. Some caught my eye by their shape, some by their texture, some by the place they were at and interacted with their surroundings, some a combination. The driftwood above had a great texture and contrasted the rocks it parked on.

Drums2024 Driftwood Series

Drums, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

Even from a distance the two logs above reminded me of drums. You don't see it? Well, I did and quite convincingly. Maybe it had something to do with me hanging around a marching band, maybe it was just wild imagination, but I had no doubts. I photographed the two a few times from different angles and in the end struggled picking just one. As you can see, the sun cooperated quite well of a beach scene helping with illumination, contrast, and even providing some shadows.

Drum & Stick2024 Driftwood Series

Drum & Stick, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

And look, another drum and this one even with a stick. Maybe it was a hint and I should have drummed a beat of a favorite song. Instead, I performed my little photo dance looking for the best perspective.

Above the Beach2024 Driftwood Series

Above the Beach, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

Just about midway through my wondering about I looked away from the lake towards the cliff above the beach and could not skip taking that photo. The silhouetted trees against the morning sun were a perfect distraction from being overly focused on my subject matter.

Grass2024 Driftwood Series

Grass, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

It was definitely not just driftwood thad caught my attention but I felt there was no problem leaving the series a bit lose and intertwining driftwood, rocks, trees, grass, and whatever else I found on or around the beach. That's what the morning experience was and that's how I captured it.

But look, we are back to driftwood in the next two photographs.

Wood & Rocks2024 Driftwood Series

Wood & Rocks, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

Shapes of Wood2024 Driftwood Series

Shapes of Wood, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

Another diversion coming up. The cliffs disappearing in the waters of Lake Erie have been the subject of many of my photographs over the years but it's hard to resist and it's even harder to find a reason to resist. Why? Watching the water clash with the rock over and over seems to have therapeutic properties. It's so calming and it is also fun to try to time the moment right. How to best tell the story of the water and the cliff?

Where the Cliffs DIsappear in Water2024 Driftwood Series

Where the Cliffs Disappear in Water, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

I had photographed the Watersports shed before too but on this morning, rather than isolating the building with the lake in the background, I took advantage of the pickup truck parked by and went for a combo.

Water Sports2024 Driftwood Series

Water Sports, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

Roots2024 Driftwood Series

Roots, 2024 Driftwood Series, Hamburg Beach, New York
Photographed with a 35mm Nikon FE2 camera on Agent Shadow 400 Black & White Negative Film

And as you can see, I closed off the experience and the series true to the theme back with a rather large piece of driftwood. I really liked the intricate pattern of its root bulb. And now looking at it finishing this blog post it became clear to me that this photo will need an alternative presentation too. How do you think it will look as a cyanotype? There's only one way to find out for sure.

Thank you very much for stopping by and spending a few minutes with my photography.

Enjoy The Beauty That Surrounds You! #etbtsy

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