We had arrived! I was finally here and boy was I excited. Rockport MA and beautiful Rockport Harbor, home of what is purpoted to be the most painted building in the world – MOTIF # 1.
This beautiful fishing shack was originally built in 1884 but was destroyed by the hurricane of 1978 (which I vividly remember being a New England resident myself). It was quickly rebuilt and is currently owned by the Town of Rockport. Year after year it graces magazine covers, a postage stamp, and appears in movies and t.v. ads.
This moniker “Motif # 1” is said to have been coined by an art instructor back in the 1930’s when he asked what his student was painting for their next project. When the student replied “the red fishing shack in the harbor” the teacher responded by saying “oh you mean Motif #1”. The name stuck from that time on.
Cheryl was anxious to check out all the shops and the artists gallery’s that lined downtown. On this beautiful August weekday the streets were lined with locals and tourists alike. There was just a feeling of energy in the air as folks darted in and out of small, locally owned stores with a souveigneer or perhaps a cold drink.
With my camera draped from my neck and various lenses attached to my belt we only made it about (5) minutes before I found the small driveway that led to what would be my favored position to capture this landmark! With Cheryl in tow I could hardly control my exuberance. I had seen this image so many times on the web and I just had to have my very own. The end game was to have a large canvas print adorn a wall somewhere in our home.
I was whining initially, like I always do, if I don’t like the light. You see, rarely do I like harsh light for my landscape photography because of unsightly shadows. However, as harsh as the light was it was hitting the red fishing shack in a way that I felt was appealing. It brought the focus to the front of the shack where all the buoy’s are afixed. Rumor has it that these buoys are memorials to deceased fishermen.
I set up the shot and, after a few different angles, felt I had what I came for. Success! Now time for an afternoon of sight seeing.
We spent the net couple of hours dodging the hot sun by going in and out of these small, quaint, local shops. Such a nice break from the normal grind. Like most tourists our arms were full of hanging bags containing hats, sweat shirts and T’s, at least most of the time. You see there was a beautiful stone jetty that we just had to walk. I laid the bag full or merchandise on a large stone at the entrance so I could square away my gear before making this trek. In typical fashion I forgot I put the bag down. We journeyed out to the end of the jetty and back which probably took 30-45 minutes. When we got back we began to walk through “downtown” when my wife asked me where the bag from the store was. I knew right then and there what happened and where it was. I said “I’ll be right back”. I felt my chances for retrieval were going to be good because this was such a nice town full of terrific people. I was right! The shopping bag, and all it’s contents, was sitting right where I left it 45 minutes earlier. Scores of people just walked by it and left it alone. A testament to the people and tourists of Rockport!
I’m hopeful that we return again some day and I suggest you consider doing the same if any of this seems appearling to you.
Photographed with a Sony Nex 7, 24 Mb, mirrorless camera and a Sony 18-55, 3.5-5.6 lens at 55mm (82mm/35 mm equiv.).
Shot in RAW mode, Aperture Priority, F16, 1/200th, ISO 200/
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