Today i'm going to show a few images from the historic town of Lunenburg. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this quaint ship building town (the Bluenose was built here as well as the HMS Bounty used in the 1960 film of Mutiny on the Bounty) has been photographed to death, no doubt. These days i usually go into town to shop, not photograph, as i have already taken all the touristy shots that one expects to see from such a place. That doesn't mean i don't take my camera, but when i shoot around town of late i generally take a more back alley approach.
©David Sorcher 2013
I don't know what it is about laundry. Maybe it's the allusion to scandal. Maybe it's just the public exposure of a somewhat private side of a stranger's life. Or perhaps it reminds me of prayer flags fluttering in the wind. But i do always find it interesting. I find backyards are often more interesting than fronts.
©David Sorcher 2013
Now fronts can be interesting too. The facades of "downtown" Lunenburg are generally impeccably dressed and brightly painted. This is why i was so attracted to this one. Showing its age closer to the edge of town, yet still adorned with a colorful floral wreath, it presented a more human face in the midst of all the other intentional perfection.
©David Sorcher 2013
Likewise this rusty weathered door. It draws us up and in, past the now eroded surface, inviting us to get to know Hans and Karin just a little bit better. Go ahead, knock...
©David Sorcher 2013
But there is no way of denying the bold and primary colors that are Lunenburg. I like to abstract them when i can and take them somewhat out of the context of complete buildings and structures.
©David Sorcher 2013
©David Sorcher 2013
On the edge of town sits this old cemetery, the home of red ants and ancient mariners. I was loving how this tree grew up, cracking the tombstone in half, yet still holding it firmly, lovingly in its grasp, lifting the stone's crown up as it continues to grow skyward.
©David Sorcher 2013
The snails are also in residence, adhered to the rough, eroding surfaces of the tombstones, certainly contributing to their further decay. I find these time smoothed stones most interesting, their memorial assertions of a past existence slowly wearing away into illegibility and obscurity.
©David Sorcher 2013
Of course, in a picture postcard town it's hard to ignore the postcard images. The waterfront presents some irresistible color relationships and a wonderful nautical flavor.
©David Sorcher 2013
The dory is an interesting boat to me with a rather unique shape and line and the traditional warm colors they are painted creates a lovely relationship with the cool blue sea, especially in the late afternoon sun.
©David Sorcher 2013
Looking beyond the postcard scenes i have always been amused by the contrasting realities of this spot in the center of town, the picturesque view on the mural of the 19th century historic waterfront situated next to this late 20th century Loonies & Toonies Dollar Store. Somehow in Nova Scotia it all makes perfect sense.
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