One spring evening, John was reading his newspaper when he noticed an advert, LIGHTHOUSE FOR SALE. The price looked inviting and the location was not too far away. 'Imagine that', he thought, 'I could own my own lighthouse...'
He duly made the purchase and started the much needed renovation. Friends and family flocked to see it and lend a hand. Everyone seemed so proud to be associated with the notion of lighthouse ownership.
As winter arrived, costs were starting to spiral, enthusiasm was starting to wane and friends were starting to drift away.
Vandalism became a problem. Graffiti was daubed, windows and doors were smashed and there was even a fire.
And then the storm hit.
The metal canopy was torn from the roof and mangled on the ground. The stone skirt, (stable for more than a century) was disrupted and scattered along the beach.
Then one night, following a despairing day's labour, the once proud owner fell asleep in the lighthouse with the words 'Money Pit' tormenting his restless thoughts. Suddenly he awoke with a start. He couldn't remember moving his car off the beach to the safety of the parking lot behind the dunes. He jumped to the window and peered out through the gloom. There in the moonlight was his car, the rising tide lapping at the top of the wheel arches...
...One evening a man was browsing through the adverts in his paper when he noticed a lighthouse for sale. 'Imagine that', he thought...
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This is that lighthouse and John is my wife's uncle. (He's retired now and living in Australia - he says it's the furthest place he could find away from the lighthouse). All this happened more than 20 years ago and I've resisted going back ever since - until now.
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Place: 2 out of 155 Avg (all users): 7.5821 Avg (commenters): 8.6500 Avg (participants): 7.5181 Avg (non-participants): 7.6271 Views since voting: 15122 Views during voting: 599 Votes: 201 Comments: 62 Favorites: 40 (view)
It's a gorgeous photo - extremely well done both from a capture standpoint and a processing standpoint - quite deserving of the ribbon and amazing score, so congrats on all that. But mostly thanks for the story! A good photograph can often be an invitation - this most definitely fulfilled that role when coupled with this marvelous story. Whether real or not, it's wonderful and SO much nicer than finding N/A when opening the shot.
Oh my...the story is just such a perfect complement to this outstanding photo. Congrats on a very well-deserved ribbon! You should send a print to your wife's uncle, John...;-)
I knew this beauty would ribbon as soon as I saw it during voting. Stunning shot and compelling story. Excellent work David, many congrats on your ribbon.
There is SO much to this picture! The really cool cloud formations. THe small puddle that just happens to capture the reflection. Really great composition.
Excellent composition. Minor haloes around the lighthouse. Control of exposure overall very good. It's probably the odd sky detail which distracts me from an otherwise fine scene.
This is an absolutely fantastic... composition, colour, detail... brilliant! I upgraded my vote from 8 to 9 and reckon this is in the running for a ribbon.
Blue - that was the first thing that struck me when I saw this shot. The hint of blue in the rocks against the vibrant blue of the sky works really well. Not usually a fan of centred horizons, but I like it here.
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