A few weeks ago I found myself at the Nags Head Pier on an overcast evening. One of the things I did was revisit my “Under Pier Twilight” composition from 2010. I ended up processing this one a bit differently… mainly due to the mixed lighting sources I found on this evening. The 2010 version of this photograph was processed the lights to be white… this version for them to be warmer.

Obviously there is a bit of perspective difference between these photographs. A big part of that is the lens that was used for each shot (technical details below)… but also the Nags Head beach nourishment has elevated the beach under the pier here by a few feet it seems.

30 sec, f/6.7, iso 100
Canon 5D Mark II w/ 16-35mm f/2.8L @ 20mm

Here is the 2010 version:

30 sec, f/11, iso 100
Canon 5D Mark II w/ 17mm f/4L TSE

I’m extremely thankful for everyone that has supported me by purchasing some of my work this past year. As a way to express that thanks, I’m offering my photographs at 25-50% off through through Saturday, November 26th.

Most of the incredible sale will be on in-stock prints to help make room for new work that I’ll be releasing in early 2012. Custom orders for sizes that I don’t have in stock will be 25% off.

By far the biggest special is a 12×18″ print matted to 18×24″ for $45.00, which is 50% off the normal $90.00 retail price.

There is at least (1) of every print I’ve released available in this size… so it’s not just the “leftovers” that no one wants! Although, I’ll take all of your Thanksgiving leftovers if no one wants those!

You’ll also find some great deals like 20×30″ Gallery Wrapped Canvas Prints for $125.00.

For anyone that is visiting the Outer Banks this weekend, the gallery is going to be open Thursday 9AM – 2PM, Friday 9AM – 4PM, and Saturday 10AM – 4PM. We’re at MP10.25 between the highways on Gallery Row in Nags Head.

Feel free to email gallery@matthewsgibson.com or call 252-255-0962, and we’ll be able to let you know about stock and what we can do for shipping if that’s needed. Because of the wide variety of specials, I can’t just offer a code for online purchases, so it’s best to reach out and talk to Laura or I directly.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!

One of the properties that was destroyed by Hurricane Irene was the Stinson Ranch that overlooked… or perhaps I should say sat on top of the Ablemarle Sound. It was over 100 years old having been built in 1903 and was on the National Register of Historic Places.

There is a terrific website that has been set up – Friend’s of the Cottage – where you can learn more about this amazing property.

I never photographed the cottage before it was destroyed. I was familiar with this area of Nags Head, but it was down on my list of “things to photograph someday”. It has ended up being a great lesson in what’s here today could be gone tomorrow.

A few weeks back, I thought about some ideas to try and raise some funds for the Stinson’s rebuilding efforts. On Monday, I made my first visit to try and make some pictures of the remaining pilings from the cottage in the hopes of making a print available.

I’ve been in touch with the Stinson’s who are awaiting word on their CAMA (Coastal Area Management Act) permit. If things are positive, I think we’ll be able to put together a print offer with 100% of the proceeds going to rebuild this area landmark. More to come in the next few months…

November Print of the Month, Black Friday Sale, Holiday Delivery, and Price Increases Effective January 1st

I’m incredibly grateful and truly blessed by the response to my artwork this past year. Opening a gallery and beginning to sell my work on a grander scale has been an amazing experience and I’m looking forward to another exciting year in 2012!

November 2011 Print of the Month:

This print will be the cover of the 2012 edition of the Beach Book, the telephone directory for the Outer Banks!

Black Friday Sale:

We’ll be having a Black Friday Sale at the Gallery this year and will be posting some very special pricing on my work on Monday, November 21st.

Upcoming Holiday Hours:

Thursday, November 24th – 9:00AM – 1:00PM
Friday, November 25th – 10:00AM – 4:00PM
Saturday, November 26th – 10:00AM – 4:00PM

Holiday Delivery:

Custom orders must be placed by Saturday, December 9th to be sure they can be produced and delivered by Friday, December 23rd. In-stock items can be ordered through December 17th for delivery by Friday, December 23rd.

Please contact us if you have any questions or to inquiry about stock of a specific piece.

Price Increases Effective 1/1/12:

In continually monitoring the costs associated with producing my work, I have determined the need to increase prices on some of sizes that I’m offering. This increase is moderate (less than 20%) and will allow me to continue expanding the ways I am presenting and displaying my work. The result of this will be some some exciting new print options in 2012 – please look out for them!

I can’t express my thanks enough to everyone that has shown interest in my work this last year. I’m very appreciative of everyone’s support and I can’t wait to share many exciting new photographs with you in the next few months.

Best,
Matt

I love this time of year. Things are slowing down on the Outer Banks with a lot less visitors. It’s still somewhat temperate and the sunrise and sunset times are great right now until Daylight Savings Time goes away this weekend. I was out scouting some spots during a cloudless evening last week and ended up working on some abstracts of the town boardwalk in Duck.

I was thankful that I got to spend about 2 weeks with the newer version of the Canon 24mm TS-E… I was sad to send it back. I previously owned the first version of this lens which I had some giant chromatic aberration challenges with my copy. This lens was spectacular and I’m looking to see what I can liquidate to pick one up. In my opinion there is significant difference between the 17 & 24mm lenses and I can justify owning both if I can come up with the funds.

This was one of the scenes I captured while I participated in the Worldwide Photo Walk in Manteo on October 1st.

Returned for the 3rd night in a row trying to put together something that just isn’t coming together. Before heading to this spot in Manns Harbor, I stopped by Jennette’s Pier where the surf was going off. I should have stayed. Little did I know that there was going to be some epic twilight in the east last night… I ended up being in a poor position to take advantage of it… or maybe I just failed at taking advantage of it where I was. Good thing the sun rises and sets every day!

Afore mentioned missed opportunity:

Rainy and dreary today, which always sends me into the wayback machine for some reason. This photograph comes from June 2010. I’ve been working with and testing the Canon 24mm tilt-shift lens this week. I don’t have anything worth sharing just yet, but I’m really liking it and may need to free up some funds to purchase one! It’s quite a bit different then the 17mm obviously and there is a good argument to have both. The gallery has started to slow down for the season and I’m working on some of our holiday plans as well as some new things for 2012. I’m excited to start sharing some news in a few weeks.

For the second straight year, I was grateful to lead a group of photographers as part of the Worldwide Photo Walk here on the Outer Banks. It was quite a long day! I participated in the sunrise walk of a fellow Outer Banks photographer in Manteo, held a cookout at the gallery in the afternoon, and lead my own sunset walk in Corolla. It was one of those “pleasantly exhausting” kind of days, much like a workshop is. It was great to meet other photographers and spend the entire day talking photography and making pictures. The walk was well attended with 14 participants. Some from as far away as away as Norfolk and Richmond!

As a bonus, I’m very thankful that I was able to capture something for my “Seeking Direction” series that I am ecstatic about.