chpbetamin, Author at Catherine Hartigan Photography

The Hull Story

by chpbetamin Comment Closed

We are always checking out boats in harbors and docks. My husband grew up sailing and loves to provide me with the history and specs of every vessel. During our annual Vineyard trip this year, we did our usual harbor walk. While Jack rattled on about the boats, I could not stop noticing the hulls. They all have a history. Some old, peeling, rusted, colorful; others are sleek, shiny and new. It’s really the waterline where the hull meets the water that has a unique reflective quality. This is where the light dances and creates beautiful design and movement. The colors are always different and the light bounce from the water is ever changing. Which brings me to this shot and a new appreciation for the beauty of the “hull”. I’ve decided to include this image in my upcoming show at the Transformations Gallery in NJ with painter and friend Nanci Hersh because of the net-like quality of the light. “Catching Up” opens on...

Only a few frames….

by chpbetamin Comment Closed

We spent a few days traveling to different wineries in the Central Otago region of the South Island, New Zealand. Setting out to enjoy great food and wine we found ourselves equally passionate about the stunning landscape. Spectacular vineyards were flanked by ancient, weathered mountains ranges. PEREGRINE WINERY: CONTRAST OF MODERN AND TRADITIONAL It's ironic that I found such beauty in one of the winery's more rustic buildings. On the opposite side is a very modern structure known for its award winning architecture. The design and construction mimics the rotation of a bird in flight (ie the Peregrine Falcon). To learn more about Peregrine Winery and its unique architecture, click here. The overcast sky really set the tone for this shot and directs your focus to the reflective water. If it were a clear day, the mood and focus would have been much different. The light was beautifully balanced and a gentle breeze created nice movement in the grasses. Line and texture are really...

Spools of inspiration

by chpbetamin Comment Closed

Inspiration is derived from all sorts of things. As an artist and photographer my inspiration comes from the very visual things that I encounter every day. Last summer while biking in Menemsha on Martha's Vineyard, I found myself surrounded by beautiful nets and rope. The bold color of the nets was a striking contrast against the rusted steel and created some great imagery. A large rusted fishing spool dripping with color was the shot that hooked me in (no pun intended!). I spent more time shooting...stacks of lobster traps, twisted rope, aging metal and lots of nets. With a full day of sun, biking and camera work behind us, we headed out in search of the ultimate lobster roll. I returned to the docks a few more times to capture different light levels and see if any new fishing boats had come in. The results were very powerful images with strong contrast, vibrant color and interesting texture. Inspired by the fishing spool,...