Moody

I bike past these two things frequently. It often crosses my mind to stop and photograph them but sometimes it just seems too daunting to slow my roll, get off the bike and get the camera out of my pocket, especially when it's something I take for granted and know will be there the next day. And something that is seen so often tends to lose its impact, and I think, "Ho hum." But today I went to the oh-so-extreme effort to stop the bike, dismount, extricate the camera from my pocket (insert dramatic sarcasm here), and grab these two shots. Turns out, I love them. I've been off of social media for a while (the two Big Ones, anyway - my blogs and my YouTube channel I consider to be in a slightly different category) - best thing I've ever done for my mental health and overall quality of life - and having removed myself from the onslaught-ad-nauseum of mind-numbing images (and other peoples' brain content) I am enjoying - immensely - the slower process of printing the photos I love. There's no comparison between holding a photo that's been printed on fine art photo paper - holding it for many minutes and savoring it; leaving it in full view on my coffee table to enjoy through the day or even a few days - and seeing an image on a screen. Having said all that - behold, on your screen, two photos that I think capture Vineyard Winter Gray very well (better yet, stop by my gallery and see these, and many more, and have a conversation in person).

  Beach Road
Wooden Bridge

Snow Day

Just as I was hunkering down to spend a delicious day at home, I looked out the window and saw that it was snowing, so of course I had to grab a camera and get out there. But why am I out traipsing through town on Christmas Eve Day when I have so much to do at home? I'm still finding my way in the vlogging world - so much to learn - and loving it all. I have had zero training or experience shooting videos, only what I have absorbed by osmosis from growing up with TV and film, plus fifty years' worth of photography experience. Basically, I'm out there talking to myself and taking pictures. That pretty much describes my life so I may as well document it. "A little chit-chat, some scenery, and a few photos at the end." Shot entirely with the Canon G7 mk II.

The images you see here, and many more, may be seen and/or purchased in my gallery in Edgartown. Stop by for prints, cards, books, calendars, as well as the odd story, song, or fiddle tune. Please contact me for hours and directions. My 2022 calendar, "Sara's Vineyard," is in and is available by mail order or for local pick-up from my gallery.

Stormy Bike Ride

Biking was a challenge on Saturday - cold, with a strong north wind, and I didn't go my usual five or six miles - but I love these blustery high contrast Vineyard days. Some people like Florida this time of year. I like this. And yes, a fire in the fireplace and a cup of hot cider when I got home was greatly enjoyed. To see the print version of this photo - and many more - stop by my gallery in Edgartown. Also, my 2022 Sara's Vineyard calendar is in. Email sarapiazza@sarapiazza.com for hours and directions.

Christmas in Edgartown 2021

It seems to rain every year for this event for some reason. No rain this year, just very gray and damp, but no spirits were dampened at all - very festive and fun. My friend asked, "Are you going to the parade?" "Honey, I'm always at the parade, whether I want to be or not." It was a fun day - a town filled with people, and a fire and hot cider in the gallery. My 2022 Sara's Vineyard calendars are in. Call 617-872-6110 or email sarapiazza@sarapiazza.com for details.

A Bike and a Hike and a Visit with the Woods Creatures

What was supposed to have been a 15 minute bike ride to do an errand turned into a nearly two hour excursion that included an extended bike ride out of town and a hike through the woods. My only intention had been to get a little exercise and do a little scouting for my next vlog project, but of course the little G7 had to come out of my pocket; I just couldn't help myself. There's something about the deadwood in the forest - the shapes, the textures, and the markings - that intrigue me. They remind me of whales and animals and prehistoric creatures. I always find myself drawn to these woodland beings. There were many fungi as well. All sizes and all colors. I guess it's just not possible for me to simply take a walk without turning it into a multimedia production.

A Walk in the Woods, Too Many Mosquitoes, Plan B - Surf's Up!

To be a photographer, one must keep an open mind because things don't always go as planned. Welcome to my photography vlog, where you'll find a little chit-chat, some scenery, and (hopefully) a few photos to show for my efforts.

Video Blogging

Welcome to my new video and photo blogging project, a project designed to get me out of my own way, forcing me to leave the comfort of my own home more often and expanding my horizons, while at the same time providing me with fresh air and exercise. This project will also give me something outside of myself to focus on, especially important as we descend into fall and winter here on the Island. I've been a photographer for fifty years, and this project pushes me into new technological frontiers - the world of shooting and editing video - an all-encompassing process that engages all of my technical skills and creativity. Most of my travels will be on my Island home, Martha's Vineyard, and my biggest challenge will be to see the old and familiar with new eyes. I hope you'll follow along.

On the Fly

While riding my bike back into town after doing errands, I saw that the sky ahead of me in the east was potentially interesting. Being ten minutes before sunset and knowing that every minute counted, I stopped at my house long enough to grab a camera and back pack, hopped back on my bike, and raced eastward as fast as my legs could go, not even sure of where I'd end up. I missed the peak color, but was not disappointed. Again, it's as much about the hunt - the fresh air and exercise - as it is about capturing that prize winning photo, but I'm pretty happy with this one and am glad for this little end of the day gift.

Monday Morning Doings

Leroy and I headed out early for our walk - on a plu-perfect Vineyard September morning - to see what we could see. Leroy's interests are quite simple: trucks! Dump trucks, garbage trucks, bulldozers - the louder the better - with extra points for trucks hauling trailers loaded with lawn mowers; my main interest today was to head over to Chappy to grab some shots of the Memorial Wharf reconstruction project from a water's-eye view. We were rewarded with not only a fun ride on the ferry (Leroy's first) and a great view of the wharf project, but the first thing we came upon, right out of the chute, across the street from Grandma's, was John Anderson prepping the monument for the new flag pole. The orginal flag pole was removed a while back due to the fact that the flag, while being raised and lowered in certain wind conditions, was precariously close to nearby high-voltage wires. The new flag pole, scheduled to be installed next week, is reportedly shorter, eliminating the possibility of the flag or rope coming into contact with the electrical wires (which have also been insulated).

A Quick Getaway

It's hard to believe that for most of twelve years, between 2000 and 2012, I commuted between Brookline and Edgartown every week, leaving my apartment every Monday morning to catch the 10:45 ferry over to the Island, and making the reverse trip on the 5:00 ferry on Tuesday evening back to the mainland. These days I'm lucky to get off the Island every six months, and when I do it feels like a huge production. 

Anyway, yesterday I made a quick trip over to the Cape for an appointment and a couple of errands. Sitting in my car on the freight deck was stifling, but I managed to find an open porthole to stand beside on both trips, which both cooled me off and afforded me the opportunity to take a few snaps, employing the G7x on my way off, and the R with the 70-200 lens on my way home.

  The rowing dory Grace, The Black Dog, and a red umbrella.
Nautical Still Life 
The Alabama. I wish I had noticed the human up aloft in the rigging, but everything happens very quickly on a moving ferry. 
Nautical Still Life #2
Looking westward towards Tashmoo and Pilot Hill
West Chop Light
Buoy #2. "Red right returning."
East Chop Light. 
After being cooped up all afternoon, and since there was still some light left in the day (fading fast, folks), I hopped on my bike and took a short cruise through town where I found, among other things, fisher-boys (and I believe one actual Fisher) down at the town wharf, slaying the menhaden (bunker). 

Friday Morning After the Rain

I was inspired by the clearing skies on Friday morning following Thursday's big rain to get off the couch and out of the house before sunrise, hoping to find interesting skies and seas, and I was glad I did. My mission also included testing the new G7. So, off I went, loaded for bear with two EOS Rs, the 70-200, the 15-35, and the G7 (mostly to check out its video capabilities). My first stop was the Edgartown Reading Room, where I found an inner harbor still full of boats, and a view northeast towards the yacht club, the light house, and the rising sun; then onward to South Beach, where I found a flooded parking lot, a congregation of seagulls, a lone fisherman, roaring surf, and a misty sunrise.

Mairzy Doats and Dozey Doats

Apparently, goats love poison ivy, which brings to mind this little song my brother used to sing to me when I was a little girl: 

Mairzy doats and dozey doats and little lambsie-divey, 

A kiddley divey, too, wouldn't you? 

Mairzy doats and dozey doats and little lambsie-divey, 

A kiddley divey, too, wouldn't you? 

Now if the words sound queer, and funny to your ear, 

A little bit jumbled and jivey, 

Say, "Mares eat oats, and does eat oats, and little lambs eat ivy."

Goats, as far as the eye can see, at Sweetened Water Field. Do you have a poison ivy problem on your property or need your field mowed? Solution: hire a herd of goats to come in and clean the place out. They will literally eat anything. Many years ago, a goat ripped a diaper off of my toddler daughter in the petting zoo at Busch Gardens and would have eaten it had it not been for our intervention. 

Beach Scene and Underwater Art

Gleanings from my trusty Olympus TG6 and my daily swim - I finally figured out a way to strap the camera to my waist so I can swim with it. Also, I have begun swimming with goggles (for the first time in my life) so I can now see where I'm going, plus I can get a better view of the world below. It's still a bit like shooting in the dark, however, since I am relying on the (difficult-to-see) rear screen, but sometimes I get lucky. As a long time fan of Rose Treat and her exquisite - and often whimsical - seaweed art - and I've tried it with my grandkids, with dubious results - I am especially interested in the underwater, free-floating version. The problem is, when I'm swimming or even near the water I am easily distracted by interesting seaweed patterns I see everywhere.

 

An example of my water-eye view while swimming my daily quarter mile, made all the clearer by my new Speedo goggles. 
Underwater patchwork
With hats off to the true master of seaweed art, Rose Treat.