The Final Shot Of 2012
On the eve of the eve of the New Year…
…I finally made it to Nubble Light to photograph it decorated for the Holidays. This is also officially the last image I made from 2012.
It was brutally cold, winds in excess of 30mph(48kph), several shots ruined by car headlights illuminating the island, but it was worth it! Just the right exposure to avoid excessive star trails, I couldn’t ask for more.
Pop-quiz: Who can tell me which constellation is featured in this image? (Without looking at anyone else’s answers 
)
You’re cutting it close, but there’s still time!
To vote for your favorite image of 2012 that is. Vote HERE, but please read the rules for casting your vote carefully.
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, SAFE, AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!!
Orion?
January 2, 2013 at 7:18 am
You got it!
January 2, 2013 at 7:03 pm
I go there so often but never go to film at winter I could do it from a beach away
Thanks for reminding me she is still pretty in winter. Greg from Greg in the morning WHEB now is taking photos and he got a nice shot as well
January 2, 2013 at 8:01 am
Yes it is, very pretty in the winter. I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to get there. Though it is just like me to pick one of the coldest and windiest days so far to do it
I knew Greg was a photographer, I’ve never met him, but he is a friend of a friend and I’ve seen his work.
January 2, 2013 at 7:03 pm
yes like me he is just now putting it out there
Sadly if I am to catch the display I shall see it on a cold winters day as well
It is OK we are tough up here in New England 
Eunice
January 2, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Well I hope you do, but I’d suggest going a little later in the evening than I did. That way you might escape the ruined exposures from car headlights hitting the island. I know I won’t be going at around 5 p.m. again. More like 9 or 10.
January 2, 2013 at 7:19 pm
We go out late metal detecting so that will work for me thanks for the heads up Jeff.
January 2, 2013 at 7:23 pm
Amazing!
January 2, 2013 at 8:17 am
Thank you!
January 2, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Yep, Orion! Although he’s a bit wonky compared to how we see him in our skies!
Must have had a good Christmas.
January 2, 2013 at 9:34 am
Most definitely, I had a great Christmas! I hope you did as well.
January 2, 2013 at 7:04 pm
Any fan of Men In Black knows that’s got to be Orion. (Great name for a cat, too!) Perfect exposure, Jeff!
January 2, 2013 at 11:57 am
Thanks Gary. Orion is certainly an easily recognizable constellation. Since I’m more of a dog person I’ll just have to take your word for it about the cat name
January 2, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Happy New Year, Jeff. (yeah, I’m still around
I hope to jump back into this blogosphere soon). This is an amazing shot to hold both the lighthouse lights and stars.
January 2, 2013 at 1:28 pm
Happy NEw Year right back at ya! I’ve been wondering where you’d gone off to.
Thanks! I was hoping to retain a little more detail in the lighthouse lights, but then I’d lose some of the stars. If I had the motivation and desire to learn it, I’m sure I could blend two or more exposures to get the desired result. But I’m not that motivated
January 2, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Nice, Jeff! That came out great. I had no idea the lighthouse was decorated with THAT many lights for the holiday season. Orion looks good as well!
January 2, 2013 at 1:50 pm
Oh yea! I was thinking that if we get down from the mountains early enough we might have time to head over to the coast and get a few shots in of the lighthouse and maybe Portsmouth. It all depends on how much fun we’re having up north
And how tired we both are. Especially if we’re going to shoot for a coastal sunrise on Sunday. We should probably get some sleep in there somewhere 
January 2, 2013 at 7:13 pm
Hahaha that is definitely a good point about the sleep for the early rising in the morning. I have a 70-200 f/2.8L arriving at my door friday! Found a place that rents pretty cheap so I’m wicked excited to use it (and see how heavy it REALLY is
)
January 2, 2013 at 10:30 pm
I’ll be bringing mine:-D IS or non-IS?
Sleep is definitely going to be welcome. Nubble Light isn’t going anywhere, and I think we’d both rather be in the mountains! But, with sunset at around 4:20, we may very well have time, and still get some sleep.
You do realize you’re going to want to buy that lens right
January 3, 2013 at 6:05 am
Ehhh Sleep is sometimes over-rated haha. Wow that is an early sunset though, so yeah maybe we will.
I got the non-IS. I figured I’ll most definitely be shooting from a tri-pod anyway. Only thing that might suck for that is if we run into any wildlife on the trail.
Oh yeah I got that feeling. I’ve been putting a little money aside. I’m hoping that by the time I head to Glacier in the summer ill have enough $$ to purchase that lens and rent one of the longer telephotos for the week for possible wildlife shots.
January 3, 2013 at 10:32 am
I’ll sleep when I’m dead!
Hopefully any wildlife we see will hold very still. And give us enough time to get our cameras out of our packs.
If I were you, and I’m still on the fence about trading my 70-200 f2.8L for an f4 with IS. They go for about the same amount used, and the f4 is like a toy weight wise. If I start doing the hiking I hope to start doing, the weight will matter. Another plus should you opt for the F4 IS, it’s weather sealed, the F2.8 non-IS isn’t. The more I talk about it, the closer I’m coming to doing it!
January 3, 2013 at 7:31 pm
Ok now the weather sealed is a huge plus for me with all the backpacking I like to do. I wasn’t aware of that. I’ll be giving the f4 muuuch more thought now. Plus weight is a factor when it comes to hiking. hmmm
January 3, 2013 at 11:36 pm
Orion. It’s only my favorite constellation EVER! Beautiful shot! Happy New Year!
January 3, 2013 at 1:39 am
Thank you! Mine too. I think it’s because his appearance in the night sky always signaled the approach of my favorite time of year. In my former life as an avid bird hunter, and now as a photographer, Autumn/Winter are the seasons I most look forward to.
January 3, 2013 at 6:17 am
Happy New Year Jeff! I hope you’ll continue to be in on photography in 2013!
January 7, 2013 at 4:17 pm
No question there, you haven’t seen the last of me by a long shot. And a Happy New Year to you too!
January 7, 2013 at 6:59 pm