In August, Mentor Series trekkers and Nikon professional instructors gathered in Bar Harbor, Maine to photograph what can be described as the purest and most unspoiled destination in the northeast. Bar Harbor not only easily lent itself to landscape photography, but the trekkers were able to shoot almost everything – including macro, people, and had seemingly endless opportunities to photograph rare wildlife species.
Day one included a brief orientation and a “meet the mentor” session with extraordinary instructors Bill Durrence and Dave Black. Morning came quickly on Day 2, which began with a 4:30am departure to the pristine Acadia National Park to prepare for the sun to rise over the Atlantic Ocean. Separated into two groups, each instructor guided their group of trekkers to shoot the sunrise at Thunder Hole or Pebble Beach. The trekkers at Thunder Hole photographed the brilliant sunrise while listening to the thunderous waves crash against the rocky shore, and the trekkers at Pebble Beach photographed the sunrise over the ocean and had a panoramic view of Otter Cliff and Sand Beach.
After the sunrise shoots, the trekkers spent some time in the Azalea garden shooting macro (some of us learning for the first time how to shoot macro the right way). Then with just a few hours to relax and download the morning’s images, the trekkers departed to shoot the sunset at Cadillac Mountain. With Cadillac Mountain’s peak is at 1500 feet above sea level, it not only made for a perfect sunset shoot location, it offered stunning views of Bar Harbor and the surrounding islands.
Day two ended with instruction and demonstration of “lightpainting” by lightpainting extraordinaire Dave Black. The trekkers were able to lightpaint two different scenes with each instructor – and some (me) may argue that this was the one of the coolest parts of the whole trek. Lightpainting is not only simply awesome – but it is endlessly creative!
Day three began with a 7:30am departure to nearby Bass Harbor where the trekkers and instructors boarded a private boat for a chance to view the rocky Maine coastline from the sea. During this nearly three hour boat tour, trekkers were able to shoot fishing vessels, lobster boats, coastline cliffs, native birds, harbor seals and – wait for it -- even a bald eagle. The highlight of the excursion came when the boat stopped right in front of the picturesque Bass Harbor Head lighthouse. This still-working lighthouse is perhaps the most beautiful and recognized structures in Maine.
After arriving back into the harbor, the trekkers photographed inside and around a small lobster pier – and had the chance to photograph lobstermen bringing in their traps full of the day’s catch. Then, with a little downtime, the trekkers met with mentors Bill and Dave for a review session and critique of several images. Day three came to a close after spending the early evening shooting kayakers and the local scenes in the charming downtown area of Bar Harbor.
Day 4 began with another 4:30am departure for a sunrise shoot at Thunder Hole or Pebble Beach (the groups switched locations from Day 2) at Acadia National Park. After a quick stop for breakfast, the trekkers boarded a whale and puffin watching cruise which took the trekkers out nearly one-hour away from shore, where the puffins surrounded a beautiful Coast Guard lighthouse seemingly in the middle of nowhere. And the whales weren’t camera shy either -- many trekkers came away with close-range photos of the whales.
The trekkers then gathered for the closing session and presented 10 of their photographs in a final slideshow. No two photographs were alike even though we were shooting much of the same objects or scenery. Each photograph had its own unique perspective.
With that, the trek came to an end – but the trekkers came away with a little more knowledge and understanding of photography, new friends – and an incredible experience. Thanks to our mentors Dave and Bill for their positive reinforcement and extraordinary instruction along the way.
Gail Gitcho
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