If there is anywhere you want to be in Portland, Maine, its either the waterfront or the lighthouse areas in Cape Elizabeth which is about 10 minutes drive from Portland downtown. Although there are 3 lighthouses in Cape Elizabeth within a driving distance of about 2 – 3 miles, the one that is most popular with visitors is the Portland Headlight in the Fort Williams Park. Just so that you know there are close to 60 lighthouses in Maine and many of them can be photographed from the main land.
The Portland Headlight lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in Maine, constructed in 1791 at the entrance of the Portland harbor. Subsequently this beautiful lighthouse is automated & is now maintained by the US Coast Guards. I was fortunate to be within miles of this magnificent lighthouse and was able to find ways to take pictures all through the year, from summer to snow.
Here is my pick of 5 of the best photos of the Portland Headlight lighthouse
This was photographed after a night of some heavy snowfall. However, the sun was too strong in the early morning hours melting the snow quickly. Though the clouds quickly came back, a lot of the snow were gone along the rocky coast by the time I arrived.
This Portland Headlight picture was shot just around the time when the sun was on the Western horizon. There are a few places on the eastern side where you can climb down a very steep, unstable slope. The Fort William Park authorities does not recommend visitors use this path but often enthusiastic photographers do not wish to miss the gorgeous view & make their way down onto the rocks below.
Very often prior to snowfall the sky would take on a pinkish-reddish hue. That happened while I was photographing the Portland Headlight lighthouse early one morning, just prior to sunrise. The tide was coming in and the ocean was getting rougher forcing me to move back on the regular path within the park.
Portland Headlight Lighthouse in Black & White
This black & white Portland Headlight picture is taken with a very wide angle to accommodate the Ram Island Ledge lighthouse on the right. A very clear weather and a fast rising tide created a nice pattern of surf leading to both the points of interest.
Portland Headlight Blue Hour Panorama
This is one of my favorite pictures of the Portland Headlight lighthouse. This is one of the 2 panoramic frames I have created of this gorgeous structure. This was done in summer from the Eastern end of the lighthouse at the blue hour. Also read 5 All Time Favorite Blue Hour Panorama Photos if that is something that you love. Incidentally this is also one of the panoramas that sell very well on my online shop.
If you are planning to visit Maine, take a look at the popular Maine Photo ebooks. If you plan to go to the Portland Headlight & the 2 other lighthouses nearby, you should check out more details on the timings of the Fort Williams Park.