World Lighthouse Photography
Pemaquid Lighthouse, Maine
I had intended to write an article about ten of my favourite lighthouses. Somehow that turned into this blog featuring fifteen lighthouses scattered around the world.
These lighthouses aren't ranked, as I've enjoyed visiting them all! The one above is Pemaquid Lighthouse in the American state of Maine, below is Marshall Point Lighthouse, another Maine lighthouse. I highly recommend this book, written by two former owners.
Marshall Point Lighthouse, Maine
Photographing Lighthouses
I recommend committing to a project for those interested in learning photography or improving their camera skills. I've covered in another blog post some ideas for various themes. For me, it's lighthouses. I've always loved visiting them and aim to photograph 100 of them, presenting a picture of each across two big thick albums. So far, I've finished the 1-50 volume and am now working on 51-100.
Smeaton's Tower, Plymouth, Devon, England
Buchan Ness Lighthouse, North-East Scotland
Kinnaird Head Old Lighthouse, Fraserburgh, Scotland
Why Lighthouses?
There are many lighthouses to visit worldwide along the 372,000 miles of coastline, often in remote and dramatic landscapes, usually placed around hazardous rocky areas.
The enjoyment comes with the journey as much as the setting. I photographed the Lighthouse above on a small boat bobbing up and down in a steady swell that quickly became a force eight gale.
I'll always seek out the lighthouses on holiday travels and drag my poor family to share the experience with me. I photographed the Lighthouse below during a January trip to Cape Town in South Africa.
Slangkop Lighthouse near the town of Kommetjie, South Africa.
Island Lighthouses
The following three photographs are on islands.
Alcatraz Lighthouse, San Francisco
Cape Pogue Light, on Chappaquiddick Island, America
Bass Rock Lighthouse, Scotland
Scottish Lighthouses
Scotland has many Lighthouses, and I still have many to visit. For instructions on finding UK Lighthouses, I strongly recommend an excellent book by Sarah Kerr. Above Bass Rock Lighthouse, North Berwick, below Corran Lighthouse on Loch Linnhe by Fort William, close to the Corran Ferry. In 1898 this Lighthouse became one of the first in Britain to be automated.
Corran Lighthouse, Scottish Highlands
Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, Scotland
Lighthouse Journeys
Above is the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse at the tip of Lewis, an island in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. This location is a long way from anywhere! It is said to be the windiest place in Britain, but luckily it was pretty calm on our visit.
Below is the Lighthouse at the spectacular Ardnamurchan Point. The point is reached by a narrow and winding road along a long peninsula to the Lighthouse at the most westerly point of mainland Britain and is in the Scottish Highlands. It's a very long and winding road to get there, but worth it.
Ardnamurchan Point Lighthouse, Scottish Highlands
Edgartown Lighthouse, Martha’s Vineyard
Edgartown Lighthouse
I mentioned that the Lighthouse pictures aren't ranked; however, to be honest, I have saved the best to last, Edgartown Lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard.
I took this photograph at sunset on celebrations for July 4th Independence Day on the island. The beach was full of people who came to enjoy the fireworks that would follow once it was completely dark.
I hope you've enjoyed looking at these photogaph’s of some of my favourite lighthouses. Let me know if you want another 25!
Ploumanac'h Lighthouse, Perros-Guirec, Brittany, France
About Paul
Paul Saunders, a professional photographer, is based in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, photographing weddings, families and businesses throughout Scotland. He also runs popular short photography training courses.
Visit Paul’s other websites Paul Saunders Marketing & See Loch Lomond.
Thanks for reading this blog about world lighthouse photography.
