Contentment…Prince Edward Island

:Story behind the image, Fishing Boats, Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island presented itself slowly and in layers. It was an "early" Nova Scotia, less populated and French Canadian kitch prevailed here and there. The harbors were few and far in between. Refreshing. The camera was not overly active so far. Who knew what the day had in store for me then.

The day was extremely windy yet this cove was very calm. It protected the boats well. Why were the boats there during the middle of the day? No signs of fish. Only some sea weed here and there. Did not know what Irish Moss was until later. The pier and the boats weren't enough to satisfy me. Needed to get closer, change my point of view. Look for what I call the event, whatever it will be now. Positioned myself on the far side of the pier to see the boats more closely. B-o-r-i-n-g.

Showed up at this scene in neutral. Brought all my technique and technology at the ready and my mind without judgment, curious as a child and waited it out. The subtle movement caught my eye. A slight shimmer in the water reflected sunlight on the dark bows. It raced up over and over again like a lace curtain fluttering in a summer breeze in an open window. 

How to capture it? Changed my position, lowered the angle, framed the boats with a leading line/ boat and waited to understand the reflections speed. Underexposed. This was film. Failure was not an option that day or any day. Waited. The zen of the moment allowed me to breathe in synch with the rolling light. Click. Click. Two images were enough.

A satisfying smile felt fine as my legs pawed the ground away from the scene. Contentment.

Image: Fishing Boats, Prince Edward Island © Robert Floyd, all rights reserved, 1999