Saturday August 9, 2008
I was driving home from a photo session in Avon, NC at sunset last night, taking notice of a couple of spots that I want to use for upcoming “Trash the Dress” sessions next month.
As I drove across the Herbert T. Bonner Bridge at Oregon Inlet and reached the crest, I was taken aback by the beauty of the marsh, the inlet and the marina. For many of us who live on the Outer Banks, our days are so filled with rushing from one job or client to the next that sometimes we forget to take the time to appreciate the beauty around us. As a photographer there is no excuse for this, so I am making a conscious effort to be more aware of the amazing beauty of the Outer Banks as I go through my daily routines.
As I drove across that bridge spanning the Oregon Inlet I wished that I had someone with me who could drive so I could hop out of the car at the peak and take pictures of the amazing views. I started going through my mental index of individuals who would be willing and able to accomodate me.
Driving past the Coquina Beach area I recalled last year when I took the girls to the beach searching for shipwrecks. Up until recently there was the skeleton of a shipwreck at Coquina Beach and I thought they would get a kick out of exploring it. Unfortunately, the wreck is not there anymore. However, Cassidy found a 3 foot plank of wood washing around in the surf and concluded that it MUST be part of a shipwreck, so she proudly took it home exclaiming her excellent shipwreck finding skills.
Then as I was passing by Sam and Omie’s I glanced over to where Jeannette’s Fishing Pier was up until a few weeks ago. It was damaged badly during Hurricane Isabel a few years ago and subsequently was purchased by North Carolina Aquarium. Apparently it was torn down to be replaced by a new pier. Hopefully it will be built soon, and I plan to be there to photograph the process. I have never seen a pier built before and am looking forward to that experience.
As I reminisced about the Outer Banks of years ago, I though about Dowdy’s Amusement Park in Nags Head. Now it is a ghost town of an amusement park. It was an attraction that many visitors as well as residents on the Outer Banks made a point to visit. But over the years it declined not only in appearance but in it’s general appeal to visitors and now is out of business. The amusement park sits on a fairly large piece of valuable real estate, so I am not quite sure why there are still skeletons of amusement rides still erected there. I am sure they wouldn’t have any problems selling the property so that some Developer could erect even more part-time palaces.
Along with Dowdy’s Amusement Park, so went the Surf Slide. In it’s place now stands shops and offices. Not necessarily a bad thing, I am sure that the Surf Slide, were it to be there now would be a huge liability for the owners.
Another lost attraction is the Foosball Palace and Atlantis Nightclub. The Foosball Palace had a large roller rink on one side of the building, and a gigantic game room on the other that housed pool tables, foosball tables, pinball machines, video games, etc and a bar. Of course back then the bars only served beer because the county was dry. So if you wanted a mixed drink, you brought your own bottle of booze, gave it to the waitress or bartender and then each drink they served you from your own bottle you paid handsomely for the mixer and the use of their little glass and let’s not forget the drink stirrer.
There was also the Car museum, I can’t remember the name of it right now, but it too was amazing. The building had a bas relief of automobiles of all kinds as the facing of the outer walls. Inside were an assortment of vintage cars, hot rods, I think I remember a tractor too and other interseting artifacts. A cool place to spend a hot afternoon.
One of the locations I miss the most is the Galleon Esplanade and A Restaurant by George. Oh my, the first time I came to the Outer Banks on vacation was in 1977 (wow, that really dates me doesn’t it?) and I remember shopping in the Galleons wonderfully unique and exotic shops. There was a store that sold items that looked like they were from India, clothing, wallhangings, trinkets and the windows were shaped like those in the wonderful architecture of India or more like something out of the Arabian Nights. It was glorious!
There was a place to get a bite to eat and a refreshing drink and it too was decorated with silk embroidered cloths and had the ambiance of an Indian market place. There was an outside set of stairs that went t up to a second level where you could find more shopping and looked down over the lovely landscaped area below. It was elegant and fresh.
A Restaurant by George…oh where do I even begin to describe this place? The MEDITERRANEAN STYLE building was white stucco andhad a unique shape that undulated across the landscape. If I remember correctly there was a windmill on the beach road side of the building. Entering the lobby there were sofas for your waiting comfort. It was like being in an elegant living room. The waitstaff dressed in safari shorts, shirt and hat and escorted you to your table through what felt like tunnels through a cave. Not as dark as a cave but the same undulating flowing area similar to caves There were lanterns on the walls to support the cavelike effect. While not an inexpensive place to dine, the food was always superb. If you ordered coffee, the waiter brought a glass contraption that was unlike anything I had ever seen at the time and you watched as your coffee was brewed and passed through the glass spheres. Elegant, amazing and jaw dropping. Of course it was only the 70’s and I was 18 years old growing up in rural PA and had not seen anything like it. I really really miss that restaurant. If I were a millionaire I owuld recreate it. It closed down many years later, and at one point came under new ownership and it was a buffet restaurant. I went once and was not impressed AT ALL! I went up into the tower area and while the view was lovely,the carpet was threadbare and it smelled mildewy, a real turnoff when you are in a restaurant. The ambiance was gone, the wait staff were inattentive and well..needless to say I never went back.
Although many of the places that I loved when I first came here to the Outer Banks are gone, there are many businesses that have withstood the test of time and have been around since I moved here from PA in 1981. Kitty Hawk Kites was and is an amazing place to shop, explore and have fun. Buy a kite and fly it from the top of Jockey’s Ridge, the highest sand dune on the East Coast. Take a class in hang gliding and view the Outer Banks from a bird’s eye view. They have a great toy store and loads of Pirate booty!! Nags Head Hammocks started out in a small building on the beach road in Nags Head and now has a number of locations in Currituck and Dare Counties. I got one of these great hammocks for Christmas a few years ago and even after being left out in the weather year round, it’s still in great shape and a cool place to take a nap on a warm afternoon.
The Kitty Hawk Pier used to have a restaurant where locals would congrete in the morning for their great breakfast. It wasn’t air conditioned but I recall ocean breezes blowing through. Now the Hilton Garden Inn owns the pier and only guest of the hotel can go on the pier unless they get a special pass from the hotel desk.
While I have enjoyed walking down memory lane today, I hope that I have not put too many of you to sleep. I would love to hear from any of you who remember the Outer Banks as it was in the 70’s and 80’s, my memory is getting a little fuzzy on some of the details. If you would like to share your own reminiscenses please do so in my comments section.
Have a wonderful August weekend…Cheers!
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Friday August 8, 2008
It’s hard to believe but summer is almost over, just a few weeks until school starts here in North Carolina. My Senior Sessions will run from September 1-30th, if you haven’t made an appointment for your session, call me soon before we are booked up. Be sure to shcek with the yearbook staff to see what the requirements are for submitting photos for the yeabook from your Photographer. All seniors who refer a friend will receive 50 FREE SIGNATURE CARDS with the package of their choice. Call for availabilty (252) 453-4366.
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Thursday July 31, 2008
High Dynamic Range Imaging…I love it and I think you will too. HDRI is a process that involves increasing the dynamic range of an image to make a more powerful statement. I have been using this process on images of landscapes and architecture. Then It occurred to me that it would make FABULOUS artistic style portraits for my clients that are looking for something different and unique. To give you an idea of what HDRI looks like with a portrait see the examples below.
Original image
High Dynamic Range Image
Saturday July 26, 2008
I had a Senior Portrait session with a lovely girl from New Jersey yesterday. She is truly model quality. We started out at the Whalehead Club, and while her dad Dave followed inconspicuously along behind us, we took advantage of the beautiful locations available at the park. We spent about an hour there and then went to the beach where NC 12 ends and only those who are brave enough to drive their precious vehicles on the beach can go any farther. So we parked in the No Parking zone at the side of the road and while her dad watched over the cars to keep us from being towed away, I took some fun pictures of Ashley as she waded out into the water in her white dress. It was a fun time and I captured some great images of her that she seems to be hrilled with. To see all of the pictures from her session click here… www.shelley-chamberlin-photography.com/2008-Ashley_whitlock/index.htm
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Sunday July 14th, 2008
I am so excited because I have two “Trash the Dress” Sessions scheduled for September. I am busy planning all of the locations that I want to use and scouting for new ones. I plan to really push this as far as the Brides will allow me to. I love creating ‘edgy’ images, and these sessions will really allow me to stretch my creativity. I will post some of the images here as soon as I have them!! I can’t wait!
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- Life is Art
It’s the beginning of a new season on the Outer Banks and it shows as visitors begin to return to the beach to enjoy the sights and senses that abound on these barrier islands.
Many of those who will visit the Outer Banks this year have been coming since they were children, others are who are discovering the beauty of the Outer Banks for the first time will return year after year.
One of the joys of coming to the Outer Banks for vacation is picking up a book, leaving the cell phone in your cottage and retreating to the beach under a multi color umbrella in a comfortable beach chair. While the seagulls soar overhead and the sun warms the sand, the waves crash as you can lose yourself in your favorite spellbinding mystery.
After a relaxing afternoon absorbing rays and indulging in your current novel, a refreshing dip in the pool to cool off. Pull on your favorite sundress and get the family ready for their annual beach portrait session with Chamberlin Photography.
Remember to give the kids a nap so they are happy and playful for the photo session. Give some thought to the kind of photos you want to have included in your session. Are you interested in simply a traditional pose? Maybe you are looking for some playful images of the kids playing in the surf, or perhaps yo are interested in a photo-impressionistic image that you will display on your wall as art for decades to come.
It has never been easier or more fun to include a family portrait as a part of your vacation tradition. A fun trip down to the beach and your photographer meets you there, either at your vacation house or a nearby favorite beach.
By the time you get home there will be a CD in the mail with your photos on it. Simply pop it into your computer and enjoy viewing your family photos. Smile at the sweet ones of your baby or toddler’s toothless smile, laugh at your 10 year old’s silly antics, and your teenager acting like they can’t wait to get away from the grownups, and then there are those romantic looks of the one you love as the two of you walk hand in hand along the water’s edge.
Then when you are ready to order some prints for the wall or your desk at the office, it’s as easy as clicking on the sizes that you want and emailing the folder to the photographer. It’s all so fun and easy, you’ll want to do it every year.
Give us a call and schedule your Portrait Session today!
Shelley Chamberlin Photography 252.453.4366 or send us an email at obxshelley@gmail.com.
Click here to go Back to Shelley Chamberlin Photography Website.
