Gear: Canon EOS R5, EF 24-105, f / 4
Settings: 1/100 - f / 11, ISO 200, 32mm, handheld
Cutler Harbor is located in the northeastern-most part of Maine, just below the Canadian border. We had to arrive at the crack of dawn to the dock at Cutler Harbor in preparation for boarding the Barbara Frost (center), a repurposed 40’ lobster boat piloted by Captain Andy Patterson of Bold Coast Charter Company. On this chilly, foggy morning, just 15 of us lucky individuals would be cruising ten miles out to land on the tiny Seal Machias Island to photograph puffins, auks, gannets, and a plethora of other seabirds in the height of breeding season.
LRC EDITS include:
- Slight cropping
- Masking to add a bit of sharpening, contrast, clarity and dehaze and toning to the foggy sky
- Masking to adjust the fog and lighten and warm the rocks framing the bottom and right side
- Spot sharpening
7 comments posted
Larry Treadwell
I find this to be a moody image of a Maine harbor, much like my mind's eye envisions Maine harbor should look like, thus meeting my expectations. To me it feels like you are trying to photograph the boats and not the harbor or the seascape. The composition has reduced the land features to little bits of rock clinging to the edges of the frame while the boat dominate the boats dominate the image image. Perhaps the image is a bit on the overexposed side The histogram certainly leans in this direction. The composition makes the boats the clear subjects but I think the composition would be stronger if you had moved a step to the right as this would clean up the image and eliminate the distraction of the boat on the far right that is attached to the large rock. You might also consider cropping in from the left edge into the clump of trees. This would eliminate the boat on the edge of the frame and also the two red buoys that are a distraction. Posted: 10/01/2026 17:50:36
Grace Cohen
Hi Larry - I took a quick minute and applied your suggestions in the image below. The bright histogram is accurate to the scene as I saw it. The early morning fog was just starting to burn off and made a very contrasty scene. Posted: 10/11/2026 22:54:43
Michael Jack
I have been there witnessing the 35-foot tides and the harbor looking like you captured it. I think you got the misty, chilly morning - a real sense of place. I do agree with Larry that cropping in from the left side to eliminate the red buoys, but do like the rocks on the right, because that is a feature of the harbor. Posted: 10/02/2026 22:32:51
Tracy Kaminer
Grace, I think this is a lovely image and I really appreciate the story that goes with it. I'd love to have been with you on that trip! Was it recent? 1/100 handheld. It's good to know you could get that result. I probably would have had to use a tripod. I can see what Larry and Michael are suggesting about trying to simplify the composition. I think you could remove that boat on the far right easily and as I zoom in I do think you can safely crop into the trees on the left, losing the boats. I like that crop just fine. Posted: 10/06/2026 18:02:42
Grace Cohen
Hi Tracy - Thanks for your suggestions - I made a quick attempt (see below).
I took this trip in June 2022 with Bold Coast Charter Company. Capt Andy Patterson was wonderful, but he died in a plane crash a couple years ago. This family business is still going though. I believe they still may be the only US company that has rights to land on the island and use the bird blinds. Posted: 10/11/2026 23:10:26
Adi Ben-Senior
This is great picture. The framing of the rocks and the foggy light is magic. My only comment in the crop is - do not cut the edge of the boat on the left. give it a bit space. Other Else it's perfect.
Posted: 10/18/2026 13:48:59
