Woman with cameraPhoto byJake JohnsononUnsplash

As summer winds its way into the idyllic landscapes of Maine, every corner of this beautiful state transforms into a painter’s canvas, gleaming with lush greens, azure skies, and stunning coastlines. From the majesty of Acadia National Park to the quaint, picturesque allure of Portland’s Old Port, opportunities for phenomenal summer photography are abundant. So how do you capture the best of Maine’s summer? This comprehensive guide has got you covered.

Understand Maine’s Unique Light

The Golden Hour Magic

Just like in any other place, Maine’s Golden Hour — that short period just after sunrise or before sunset — offers beautifully soft and warm lighting. However, the character of Maine’s Golden Hour changes dramatically depending on where you are in the state. Coastal areas often have a mystic fog that softens the light, creating an ethereal effect. Meanwhile, the interior woodlands are awash with a rich, deep golden glow that offers striking contrasts.

The Delicate Dance of Shadows

Maine’s summer sun is high and bright, leading to some very stark contrasts and shadows, especially around midday. These can make for some dramatic photographs if used creatively. Look for shadows cast by iconic Maine features such as lighthouses, fishing boats, or forest trails.

Choose Your Subjects Wisely

Embrace the Coast

Maine is known for its rugged, stunning coastline. Lighthouses standing tall against the horizon, fishing boats returning with their daily catch, quaint seaside towns, and long, sandy beaches offer infinite opportunities for capturing the quintessential Maine summer photo.

Inland Gems

However, Maine is more than just its coast. Inland, you will find beautiful lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and dense forests. Capturing the sunrise over a still lake or the dynamic rush of a waterfall can result in some unforgettable images.

The Charm of Small Towns

Maine’s small towns like Camden, Bar Harbor, and Kennebunkport are full of character and charm. Historic architecture, bustling harbors, charming storefronts, and friendly locals going about their day can add a touch of authenticity to your summer photographs.

Keep An Eye on the Weather

Maine’s weather is ever-changing. Foggy mornings, clear, sunny afternoons, sudden summer showers, and vibrant sunsets all create their unique photographic conditions. Don’t be discouraged by seemingly ‘bad’ weather – these can often produce the most dramatic, unforgettable images.

Master Your Technique

Rule of Thirds

One of the fundamental techniques of photography is the Rule of Thirds. Imagine your image divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal and vertical lines. Place your main subject along these lines, or at their intersections, for a balanced, visually appealing photo.

Depth of Field

Playing with depth of field can transform your Maine summer photos. A narrow depth of field, for example, can draw attention to a single flower blooming amidst a field, or a bird taking flight, blurring out the rest of the scene. On the other hand, a broad depth of field can capture expansive landscapes in sharp detail.

Experiment with Your Approach

Don’t be afraid to get creative and try different perspectives. Maybe it’s capturing the reflection of a lighthouse in a puddle, taking a shot from a low angle along a rocky beach, or capturing the vibrant crowd at a local lobster festival from a high vantage point. Experimenting is key to unique, interesting photographs.

Final Thoughts

Maine in summer offers a plethora of subjects and landscapes that any photographer, amateur or professional, would dream of. Understanding the play of light, choosing your subjects wisely, keeping an eye on the weather, mastering the basic techniques, and experimenting with your approach are all keys

Grand Rapids Community College has dropped the Title IX investigation against photography professor Filippo Taglitai after he resigned from the college on March 24. This information comes via documents obtained by The Collegiate through the Freedom of Information Act. 

Tagliati was placed on administrative leave on Nov. 8 pending an investigation into alleged violations of the college’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy. Students who were enrolled in his classes were told that he was no longer teaching any classes and was unavailable for communication. 

The Collegiate received a heavily redacted Title IX investigation report that makes it impossible to read the allegations against Tagliati and details of the evidence collected throughout the investigation. 

Tagiati received bi-weekly payments of $3,886 for the duration of the investigation. He was paid more than $34,000 while the investigation continued. 

Taglati’s attorney, Tessa Muir, sent a cease and desist letter to The Collegiate on May 17 alleging that “Publishing any information from a dismissed investigation that did not result in any findings to support the claims against Mr. Tagliati would be defamatory.” The Collegiate received this letter before GRCC officials responded to our FOIA request, which included the excessively redacted investigation report.

“It is very concerning that an attorney would issue a ‘cease and desist’ letter to student journalists when the only information the attorney had was that the journalists had sent a FOIA request seeking information,” stated Erin Malone, Deputy General Counsel for the Michigan Press Association. “Such letters can reasonably be interpreted as an attempt to bully journalists from seeking information and reporting on truthful facts of public importance and have a chilling effect on the work of student journalists.”

GRCC hired Cathleen Dooley from Thrun Law Firm to investigate the formal complaint on Nov. 8, 2022. According to the report, the complainant provided Dooley with computer audio, transcripts of conversations, transcripts of text conversations, and two videos that recorded conversations between Tagliati and the complainant. Dooley also held a series of interviews with the complainant and witnesses over the course of several months, the report states. 

Tagliati refused to be interviewed by Dooley. The report states, “December 1, 2022: Respondent’s Advisor confirmed that he would not participate in an interview with this Investigator.”

In her letter to The Collegiate, Muir wrote, “It is important to note that no findings of wrongdoing have been made about Mr. Tagliati. The investigation was dismissed after his voluntary resignation at the end of the 2023 academic year. He has asserted from the beginning that the allegations against him were false and exaggerated, and there have been no findings or determinations in the case either way because the case was dismissed. He voluntarily resigned from the college at the end of the semester in order to avoid the stress of the ordeal any further — including a hearing — and for various personal reasons. He was not asked to resign, and he did not resign in lieu of termination.”

She continued,” …He maintains that the allegations are false, and they remain unproven. The allegations remain only accusations, which would ultimately have been reviewed and decided upon by a neutral and detached decision-maker after a hearing, had the process gone to completion. But after his resignation, the case was terminated.”

It’s unclear why the college did not pursue the investigation further.

“Although a school may dismiss a formal complaint if, at any time during the grievance process, the respondent is ‘no longer enrolled or employed’ by the school, dismissal is not required,” states the Questions and Answers section of the Title IX Regulations on Sexual Harassment document produced by the United States Department of Education which was updated in June 2022. 

As of this publication, the nature of the complaint, the evidence collected, and how the college handled the investigation remain unclear as the 22-page report was heavily redacted.

“While everyone recognizes the need to protect potential victims, too often public bodies use Title IX protections for victims as a way to obscure how the public body deals with such cases and whether they are doing an effective job, as well as complying with the law,” stated Malone. “Over-redaction of reports like this raise questions about how the public body is performing its duties and undermine public confidence that these investigations are being properly conducted.”

The Collegiate has filed an appeal of the redaction in the interest of the public’s understanding of Tagliti’s removal and is awaiting a response. 

The Collegiate stated in the appeal, “The education of students in multiple sections of photography classes was disrupted when their instructor was abruptly put on administrative leave during this investigation, underscoring the public nature and impact of the investigation. In the interest of maintaining transparency for our readers and ensuring that the college is maintaining a safe learning environment for students and fair treatment of those accused of misconduct, The Collegiate is appealing the extreme redactions it received.”

More information about GRCC’s Title IX policy and guidance on how to report a concern can be found on the college website.

In today’s world, many of us feel the pressure to constantly create and put out content, and that can be quite frustrating and detrimental to our process and enjoyment. There is something to be said for letting photos come to you, in a manner of speaking. This great video follows a landscape photographer as he does just that. 

Coming to you from Steve O’Nions, this excellent video follows him as he heads out on a landscape shoot and discusses the idea of being receptive to images. This sort of approach is not limited to landscape photography. For example, a lot of street photographers work by finding a spot with interesting light and a compelling composition, then waiting for action to enter the frame, which is partially why rangefinders are so popular for the genre, as they allow you to see what is going on outside the frame. The next time you head out, try letting photos come to you a bit more; you’ll likely find you enjoy the process far more. Check out the video above for the full rundown from O’Nions. 

And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out “Photographing The World 1: Landscape Photography and Post-Processing with Elia Locardi.” 

From snapping shots of migrating wood ducks on her farm in Butler to the tiniest hairs and spines on a poisonous saddleback caterpillar, photographer Kira MacNeil has always had a camera in her hands, ready to capture whatever jumps in front of her. Heron, starlings, deer, butterflies, spiders, a praying mantis – all subjects of her first wildlife exhibit, Dancing with Nature, opening June 8 at Behringer-Crawford Museum.

Each photograph highlights the natural world found in Northern Kentucky. “This is all on my farm, out in the open.” says MacNeil. “This isn’t me going to different countries. You just have to be present.” MacNeil takes her Sony A7II camera with her whenever she hikes. Sometimes she gets really lucky and captures a mother bird feeding her hatchling, but more frequently she patiently waits days, sometimes weeks for the perfect lighting and subject to come her way.

“Let’s Be Friends” by Kira MacNeil (Image from BCM)

“Spiders make some of the best subjects,” she says. “They typically don’t mind you one bit, as long as you keep your space. You can watch them gently weave their webs in the mornings, with quiet intricate detail, or efficiently wrap up their prey for lunch.”

MacNeil frames her art with salvaged, repurposed wood from old structures on her farm, including an old abandoned farmhouse on her property. To her, repurposing salvaged wood is always a learning experience. The type of wood, age and history behind it make it a unique learning adventure. She has discovered how the wood’s personality comes through once the clean-up process begins. Pulling out the old nails, sanding away the years, seeing its beauty and imagining its history. The boards now have a new home and life complimenting her photographs.

Kira Ann MacNeil grew up in Massachusetts exploring the forests of New England. After meeting her husband, she had the opportunity to explore the world as she followed him through his military career. Traveling throughout the U.S., Europe and the Middle East, they landed in Northern Kentucky. Their farm in Butler serves as her muse, combining her love of nature and photography.

Kira Ann MacNeil (Photo from BCM)

MacNeil’s work has been featured in Flutter Me Shutters Magazine and Southeastern Council of Fly Fishers International and has won the Pendleton County Photo Contest for several years in different categories.

She recently started showcasing her art at summer festivals, such as the Ewenique Art Walk in Falmouth. Presently her work is available at Artifact, a gallery of local artisans in Cold Spring. She’s looking forward to continuing her involvement with the local artistic community, helping with conservation and educating others about local plants and wildlife in Northern Kentucky.

With her nature photography, MacNeil hopes to show others the simple beauty in nature that brings her a sense of peace and calm.

The opening reception for Dancing with Nature will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2-4 p.m. where guests can meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments with friends. Exhibit is included with museum admission and runs through Aug. 13, 2023.

Behringer-Crawford Museum is located at 1600 Montague Road-Devou Park, Covington. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday: 1-5 p.m. Closed Mondays and national holidays. Admission is free for BCM members, $9 for adults, $8 for seniors 60+ and $5 for children. Wednesdays are Grandparents’ Days: one grandchild is admitted free with each paying grandparent. Parking is free.

For more information, call 859-491-4003, email info@bcmuseum.org or go to www.bcmuseum.org.

Behringer-Crawford Museum