Thirty-Four Minutes Of Black & White Photography

This was someone's pride and joy at one time–also essential to generating their income.  It is now
designated to be scrapped in the next several days. (click to enlarge)

The other day I was out and about getting some things done.  As I was driving I noticed the sky was gorgeous.  It was the kind of sky we don't often get here in southeastern Virginia in the summer months.  Since I had my Fujifilm X-T5 kit with me (despite being my all time favorite digital camera, I hadn’t used it since August 16th of last year!  Evidently, too many other choices.), I felt the sky made the day perfect for some black & white photography.  But where?  

Then a thought occurred.  There was a marina with oyster and crabbing work boats nearby.  That would make a fine place to explore, especially in monochrome.  I made a detour from my drive home and found that the marina and boats were not conducive to photography that day.  There were a couple of large motor yachts blocking the more picturesque old white wooden boats as well as some other maintenance things there were ongoing.  Disappointment.

The round stern is uncommon in these boats. It is said they handle following seas better as well as
make it easier for the waterman to work off the stern when tonging for oysters. (click to enlarge)

However, I did spot a deadrise oyster fishing boat across the creek and it appeared to have some activity.  As I watched, I saw a young boy working alongside a couple of men who were also working on the boat.  I made a few exposures and moved on.  I think that is the first time I’ve seen a lad working on one of these boats.  I surmised the boat was owned by his father or grandfather and those were the other two men present.  But, I needed to find other opportunities to photograph.

Another view of the round stern. (click to enlarge)

Wondering what else may be near, I thought of another nearby marina and ship repair shop that I hadn't visited in about 10 years.  I drove the short distance and discovered a couple of worthwhile subjects.  One was the Pride n' Joy, a classic white wooden deadrise craft used for both oyster and crab fishing.  It was sitting, landlocked, in the back of the gravel parking lot.  Another was an old wooden sailboat, about 30ft. in length, that was sitting high up on jack stands.  Some of its wood was rotted, the paint had been sanded off the old girl and, by the looks of it, a lot of work still needed to be done before it would be again seaworthy.  But both were good photographic subjects.

(click to enlarge)

As I was sitting in my vehicle thinking about how I wanted to photograph the Pride n' Joy,  from behind I saw a man walking toward me and approaching my car (an old police habit, staying situationally aware).  I put the window down and the man asked what I was doing.  I told him who I was, that I lived in the same area, my intent and that I had been photographing since 1971.  I said the two boats I spotted would make splendid subjects but if he wanted me to leave, I would.  He said no, all was good.  In cases like this, I find forthrightness and honesty as the best approach in order to have the best chance for success.

(click to enlarge)

As the marina owner and I chatted, he told me the Pride n' Joy was going to be scrapped in a few days.  That seemed sad.  The craft looked like it was in decent, repairable condition but I have no expertise in boats and seaworthiness.  But I was glad I found it just in time as it is a rare sight in this area to see derelict deadrise workboats.  All of the derelicts, washed ashore or washed into the wetlands by storms, have all been removed and scrapped.  At least I could document the old boat before its end comes.

(click to enlarge)

I then spent some time photographing the Pride n' Joy as well as the sailboat.  All in all, between the original marina visit and this place, from my first exposure to the last, my total photographic time was thirty-four minutes.  A very satisfying thirty-four minutes to me.  None of the photos are portfolio worthy, but I enjoy photographing things such as this–the old, forgotten, obsolete, out of date, the remnants of our cultural past.

(click to enlarge)

The rudder looks like it is ready to come apart and the propeller is
very crusted. (click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

I suspect this lad is learning how important maintenance is for keeping this deadrise shipshape.
If you look closely, you can see a bearded man inside the cabin. (click to enlarge)

...And it all started when I noticed there was a beautiful sky.  A good day to do as I have written many times–seize the moment!  Thirty-four minutes that made my day!

Oh! If you have interest in technical details, all of these images are from JPEGs.  I have the raw files if needed, but the black & white JPEGs work beautifully.  I had the camera set for the Monochrome film simulation with a red filter.  I used both the Fujifilm 16-55mm f/2.8 II lens and the Fujifilm 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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