jeffrey byrnes jeffrey byrnes

Photography: Personal Work

This July 4th we spent the weekend on Cape Cod. We have been doing so for the last 4 years. Last year a hurricane came through and pounded the coast, flooded Provincetown, and delayed the celebration of the birth of America. This year was a much nicer weekend and with it I was able to capture some photos from a unique vantage point. 

While I was out exploring parts of the outer Cape, I pulled out my handy dandy iPhone 6 and made a panorama, not featured here, shot, edited, and posted the image with the quote, "To explore is to learn." I strive to find what is unique about the places I visit, travel to, spend time at. I want people to see what goes unseen. I want to show others how I see what is around them that they otherwise are not viewing. I took a drive to a place I found last year on the 3rd. I stood on the bluffs and watched as the impending hurricane filled the bay side of the outer Cape with threatening clouds and a lighting show. I was eager to get back and see what it would look like with a nicer day. While the path is well walked, I have never seen a single person walking in or around that specific area. Off in the distance, down the beach, people can be seen exploring. 

Everyone loves a great sunset, right? When the sky lights up like the inside of a fireplace, it commands your attention. I find joy in making photographs, I always have. I have also found extreme joy in closing out the day with an incredible sunset. I love warm, natural light that makes a late afternoon glow. While watching the sunset, we were surrounded by what seemed liked hundreds of people, more so than the pervious years. At least half the people that were walking the bay had their cell phones out. I found it quite irritating that people were to busy making photos of each other instead of watching the sunset. Occasionally I would see someone using their phone to capture a few shots of the sunset. Being one of the only people that had a real camera, undoubtedly, I was able to capture what others were either to busy to or unable to do with their phone. 

Have you ever seen a sunset in black and white, see below. 

There are places that we visit that hold special memories that have now evolved into places of new memories. One such place is Rock Harbor. After 4pm  you're allowed to bring your dogs onto the beach at Rock Harbor. We have a new little dingo, hound, shepherd mix that we adopted back in October. This is his first summer at the beach and at the Cape. We are extremely happy that we have a place we can take him to frolic and play. 

If you are familiar with Cape Cod, explore what you have yet to see. If you are new to visiting the Cape, get out and explore. It is easy to get caught up in the tourist traps, the fishing nets of the cliche establishments that everyone thinks are "the best." Find what you like, find what is unique, and find a place to call your own. To simply put, go enjoy Cape Cod. 

 

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Photographs of Cape Cod: Summer Adventures

July is going to end in a few days. Well, more like 2 days. Summers in New England progress fast. If we have an off summer, where the weather isn't the best, (rain and storms) it makes for an even faster summer. This year has been great. I have a nice tan going. I have made some great photographs. I have been on some great shoots. And I have been visiting the Cape as often as I can. (Cape Cod that is) Which includes two trips to Marthas Vineyard. Both trips to the vineyard were by foot and bike. Instead of taking a car over, my lovely girlfriend and I, first time, took our bikes over and rode around the island. It was fun, adventurous, and pleasant. The second time we went with her sister and husband. That was even more fun. If you dont plan on spending the night and are on vacation at the cape and happen to have bikes, save some money, get some exercise and explore the island by bike. You wont regret it. The images in the gallery below are from Marthas Vineyard. They are just a few of the many photos I have made this summer. They are a meer sample of what I have been working on. By the close of the season, the end of summer, and our last trip out there, I will have produced an entire series, a body of work accompanied by an essay. I currently have 12 images on display for The Easthampton Art Walk in Easthampton, MA. When we stay at the Cape, we stay in Eastham, Ma. Eastham has beautiful beaches, beautiful homes, great places to eat, and is a picturesque town to visit. Next to Eastham is the well known town of Wellfleet. An even more beautiful town with just as amazing beaches. Both Sue and I have personal history at the Cape. We both grew up vacationing there. Sue's family had a place there and I would go with my parents every summer till I reached my teen years. Then it was no more vacations for me. (Found other things to do, being a teenager and all.)

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More Cape Cod photos to come! Check back for an update and a link to my flickr page.

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