Photographer's Journal (Seascape)

Welcome to my online journal, otherwise known as a blog. Here I'll be sharing pertinent information, inspirational stories, trip reports, behind-the-photo stories, photography tips and techniques, and various random thoughts that you might find interesting. If you have any questions or comments regarding the opinions and information shared here, feel free to contact me. Thanks for your interest in my work!

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Nature's Fury: Photographing in a Tropical Storm — Nature's Fury: Photographing in a Tropical Storm

September 18, 2023 | Acadia National Park, Maine

As a photographer, I appreciate a good storm for the opportunities it can provide for interesting photos. But I'm also torn. Because there's nothing like a stormy day spent at home curled up on the couch all cozy and warm, as the wind and rain whip around outside...

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The Creative Decision Behind Lens Choice — The Creative Decision Behind Lens Choice

June 25, 2023

When I started taking photos way back when, I thought of lenses the way most people who are new to photography, or who aren't photographers at all, think of them. Specifically that telephoto lenses are used when things are far away, and wide angle lenses are for tight spaces or wide vistas...

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Nature's Allure — Nature's Allure

June 18, 2023

I’ve always found myself drawn to the outdoors. When I went away to college at SUNY New Paltz, one of the draws was the small town with close access to the Catskills. I would often venture to Minnewaska State Park on days when I didn’t have afternoon classes, or when I just decided being outdoors was more important than my class...

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Rick Berk's Guide to Acadia National Park — Rick Berk's Guide to Acadia National Park

June 14, 2023 | Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine

It should be no secret that Acadia National Park is one of my favorite places to photograph. Now that I live just over 2 hours away, it’s much easier for me to get to, and I still find there are plenty of places to photograph there that I’ve never photographed before...

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Behind the Image: Sunrise at Montauk Point — Behind the Image: Sunrise at Montauk Point

June 7, 2023 | Montauk Point, New York

Since I began selling my work, "Sunrise at Montauk Point" has become one of my most popular, selling a fair number of prints. It's easy to see why. The iconic Montauk Point Lighthouse stands in the distance atop the bluff, as the sun rises above a bank of clouds while a wave washes over the rocky shoreline west of the lighthouse...

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The Enchantment of Sunsets — The Enchantment of Sunsets

June 4, 2023

If sunrises are my favorite time to photograph, sunsets are a close second.

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The Magic of Sunrises — The Magic of Sunrises

April 18, 2023

It can be so difficult at times. I'll be fast asleep, snuggled up under the blankets, nice and warm, dreaming away, when suddenly, my alarm shatters the still and rips me from my slumber. I reach over and grab my phone...

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Location Spotlight: The Nubble Lighthouse — Location Spotlight: The Nubble Lighthouse

April 16, 2023 | Cape Neddick, Maine

My first time in Maine was over New Year's Eve 1998 and New Year's Day, 1999. My ex-wife and I had decided to get away for the holiday and found a cute bed and breakfast in York Harbor. When we arrived, we asked the innkeeper about nearby lighthouses, and she directed us to Cape Neddick Lighthouse, known by many as The Nubble Light...

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The Mystery Dory of Ogunquit — The Mystery Dory of Ogunquit

March 27, 2023 | Ogunquit, Maine

Did you know that different types of dories are specific to the region they were built in? The Ogunquit Dory is one such dory. Popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Ogunquit Dory was built to handle the strong tides and rocky coastline of Maine...

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Smoke on the Water: Braving Frigid Temperatures to Capture an Amazing Phenomenon — Smoke on the Water: Braving Frigid Temperatures to Capture an Amazing Phenomenon

February 5, 2023 | Portland, Maine

Living in northern New England offers a wide variety of benefits for photographers such as myself. Beautiful landscape that includes mountains, rolling hills covered in flowers, thick forests, rivers, lakes, dramatic cliffs dropping hundreds of feet into the ocean, lighthouses, and picturesque fishing harbors to name several...

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2022: My Year in Pictures — 2022: My Year in Pictures

December 30, 2022

“Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” - Ansel Adams

Well, to be sure, I've shared more than 12 photos in my year-end review here, but to be fair, using a digital camera allows me to produce many more photos than Ansel Adams using a view camera that took one sheet of film at a time...

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My Favorite Maine Harbors — My Favorite Maine Harbors

October 13, 2022 | Maine, USA

Maine is a state with a lot to offer and explore. There are over 5700 lakes. 65 lighthouses. 14 mountains over 4000 feet tall. Many people visit to see lighthouses, to go hiking, or just eat seafood...

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The Elegance of Black and White Photography — The Elegance of Black and White Photography

September 9, 2022

If you've followed my work for any amount of time, you're accustomed to seeing the bold, vibrant color I tend to work with. And make no mistake, I very much see the world in color, and enjoy capturing the color I see with my camera and in my editing process...

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A Quiet Corner of Maine's Midcoast: Lookout Point — A Quiet Corner of Maine's Midcoast: Lookout Point

August 21, 2022 | Harpswell, Maine

On the north shore of Harpswell Neck, half way down the peninsula that makes up the contiguous land portion of the town of Harpswell, sits a spit of land known as Lookout Point. Harpswell is also made up of several islands, the most notable being Orr's Island and Bailey Island...

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Personal Journey: Starting Over in Maine — Personal Journey: Starting Over in Maine

August 12, 2022 | Bath, Maine

It's hard to believe, but I'm coming up on the six year anniversary of my move to Maine. I've often said relocating to Maine was one of the best things I've ever done, but the circumstances that precipitated the move were the most painful of my life...

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An Angry Ocean — An Angry Ocean

June 12, 2022 | Cape Disappointment, Washington

Last Saturday, I flew into Portland, Oregon, a couple of days in advance of my Landscapes & Seascapes of Coastal Oregon photo workshop. It was pouring rain all day, but I needed to visit the locations I had planned for the week and ensure that there were no surprises like impassable trails, limited access, and other obstacles like that...

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Trip Report: Spring in Maine 2022 Photo Workshop — Trip Report: Spring in Maine 2022 Photo Workshop

May 25, 2022 | Freeport, Maine

After a year and a half of putting off any large-scale photo workshops, last week I was able to finally get together with a great group of photographers for my first workshop since October of 2020. I'd held a handful of half-day photo walk type events in 2021, but I find I have the most fun teaching when I have a group ready to immerse themselves in photography for several days...

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My Top 5 Maine Dining Spots After Photographing — My Top 5 Maine Dining Spots After Photographing

May 12, 2022 | Maine

Since moving to Maine almost six years ago, I've spent a lot of time exploring the state and photographing it. Because my favorite times to photograph are at sunrise and sunset, I often find myself hungry after an outing...

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