The Knob
Matt Reynolds is a Massachusetts photographer based out of Cape Cod. He is a landscape photographer selling fine art prints in local galleries and on his website with aspirations of offering New England photo tours in the future. The rest of the article is written by Matt.
While I call New England my home and spend most of my free time photographing in the area, my love (addiction) for photography has also resulted in a recent travel bug and have been fortunate to have done quite a bit of traveling over the past year. I think I have a new appreciation of the natural wonders of the world, the environment and different cultures now than I would not have had if not for starting down this path with photography.
I first starting taking photographs at night after work, so night photography will always have a place in my heart and I do really believe that a night out can really help beginners learn the exposure triangle in a simplified way that shooting during normal daylight cannot. Night photography forces you to use Manual settings and learn the relationship between Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO.
Galactic Light
New England while historically very well known is not established as well as some areas of the United States as a great location for landscape photography. It truly can offer something different in all seasons. From blooming flowers and flowing waterfalls in the Spring, endless beaches in the Summer, incredible explosions of color in the Fall and of course snow covered landscapes in the Winter.
Fall in New Hampshire
Being on the East Coast, the Sunrises here are well known. Cape Cod which sits at the south east corner of Massachusetts and is a famous for some of it’s well-known summer residents has a unique shape, similar to a flexed arm which allows for areas for both sunrise and sunset over bodies of water.
Sunstar Beach
New England has 473 miles of coastline to explore along with approximately 200 lighthouses, most of which is all within a relatively short drive ; though a number of the 200 lighthouses would require a boat to get very close.
Castle Hill Waves
Maine is home to rocky cliff coasts and Acadia National Park, New Hampshire has the White Mountains, Vermont is known for green farmlands and rolling hills, Massachusetts has Boston and Cape Cod, Rhode Island has Newport and miles of beaches, and Connecticut miles of shoreline on the Long Island sound and connects the region with New York City.
Hazard Rocks
Some other things even locals may not realize is the area is also home to some very dark skies for astrophotography.
Acadia National Park is one of the best places in the country for dark sky viewing and I actually have in the same evening started on Cape Cod and driven to Acadia to see the stars, watch the sunrise and be back on Cape Cod before lunch. In addition though to the obvious dark sky areas of less populated Maine and mountain areas in New Hampshire and Vermont, many are surprised that the outer parts of Cape Cod also enjoy very dark skies thanks in large parts to conservation efforts to resist new development and the fact it sits out over the ocean.
Thunder Hole
The little islands of New England reachable by ferry also offer some tremendous photographic opportunities including Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, Monhegan Island, Deer Isle and others.
Some of my favorite well known spots to photograph include:
- Portland Head Light at Sunrise
- Anywhere along the 12 mile Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire for foliage
- Fan Pier & MIT Pavilion for the best skyline views of Boston
- And of course anywhere along the Cape Cod National Seashore for Sunrise.
Portland Head Dawn
Some local-to-me spots that are not that well known but are the type of hidden gems Photographers seek include:
- Sunset at The Knob in Falmouth, MA
- Sunset at Gray’s Beach Boardwalk and Marshland areas in Yarmouth Port
- Sunrise at the harbor at Plymouth, MA
- Sunrise at Beavertail Light in Jamestown, RI
- Sunset at Castle Hill Light in Newport, RI
Gray’s Beach
Matt shoots with a Sony mirrorless camera, uses Sony FE lenses and ND filters from Breakthrough Photography.
Connect with Matt
More New England Landscape Photos from Matt Reynolds
Marshlands
Flume Gorge
Galactic Light
Sunflowers at Dusk
All photos are © Matt Reynolds, used with permission.
Some awesome photos. I especially like “Galactic Light” and “Sunflowers at Dusk”.
Thank you Patrick!
Huge thank you to the team at Loaded Landscapes for the feature post!
I am humbled and honored to talk about New England and have my work shared in this article.
Matt,
Thanks for allowing us to showcase your photos and for taking the time to give your insight and suggestions.
Replied on DPR but I especially love the covered bridge & Flume Gorge
really beautiful photos, thanks for the share. I esp loved your night shots and the sunflowers at dusk.
Hello,
I’m the photo editor from National Parks magazine. I’ve been pursuing images of Cape Cod National Seashore to illustrate a travel story, would you be interested in sending me a lightbox with some options for our editors to look at? Please only send shots taken within the park’s boundary. I look forward to hearing from you.