O C E A N C I T Y N J
Most people have an image of Ocean City that is made up of the boardwalk, pizza shops, tee shirts, and arcades. But there is much more to it than that. If you look closely, with your back to the boardwalk, you will see a beautiful, natural setting full of color, shape and light. Go to the far northern or southern ends to escape the hotels and crowds. Go before the summer migration begins. Then you will see the signs of what Ocean City can look like in a more natural state. My family visits Ocean City several times a year and occasionally I slip out early for some photography. These images are a collection of photographs I made during some of those visits.
An Ocean City Sunrise
Something made me turn left and head to the north end beach rather than turning right and driving to Corsin’s Inlet. It was quiet, with only a few people out and about. I saw the clouds on the horizon and thought the conditions could be right for a nice sunrise. I didn’t realize the sun would come up right under that cloud formation and show a blaze of different colors. Sometimes you just have to listen to what calls you and follow it.
The 59th Street Pier
Over the years the 59th Street Pier has been a favorite subject of mine. I’d go to the old abandoned pier in different seasons and different weather - whenever we visited OCNJ - and it was always there, always the same. I'd get up early and spend a few hours there before our beach activities for the day. It’s a good lesson in making time to observe and photograph special places that interest you, since things change over time and nothing lasts forever. The pier was built in 1913 and and stood up to many challenges over its one hundred years. But in 2015 the old pier was completely washed away when Hurricane Sandy came ashore. While it no longer physically exists, I'll remember the many mornings spent at the pier and it will exist in photographs and memories.
A Warm New Year’s Day
I still remember it like it was yesterday - it was in the fifties and sunny and this was January 1st - New Year’s Day! For several years our family spent a few days over the New Year’s holiday in OCNJ. On this particular first day of the year, I was up early and walking along the beach looking at how the water arranged the shells into interesting patterns.
