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For years, I have had a fascination with lighthouses. They have stood as a beacon for seagoing explorers to find their way safely back to shore through the centuries, They act as the single point that connects hundreds or thousands of miles of open water to our firm, dry land. Most are now completely automated, but their vital and purpose still remains true.
My morning adventures took me to the Hillsboro Lighthouse in Pompano Beach. Shocked that I had not taken the opportunity to capture this icon previously, I resigned myself to correct that wrong. The day before, I scouted the area to find an entry point to make my art. Like most waterfront areas, this inlet was boarded by magnificent mansions and high-rise condos with no way for the public to access the beaches. Finally, I did discover a small city park where I could make my morning entry.
I arrived in darkness, lit only by dim lights surrounding the walkways. The lighthouse stood in the distance as a humble giant, sending its powerful light eastward to the on coming vessels. The inlet was calm with only a very few small boats headed out for a morning of fishing. Every 30 seconds the light beam would rotate over my head, light the top edges of the surrounding buildings and then return to the sea. Just as the morning sun broke through the thick morning cloud bank, the towering sentinel extinguished its light. It was as if it knew its job was complete and it passed the security and safety of the awaiting vessels to a much more powerful heavenly light source. It had done its duty and was ready for a well deserved rest, only to again awaken when the sunlight moves on to other oceans around our world.
3 Frame HDR Image, Processed in LR, PS and Topaz Clarity