Three Winters on Jekyll Island
Hello, Raleigh friends! Mike here, bringing you along on my latest photography adventure—a deeper dive into my Driftwood Beach project. It’s a creative journey that’s unfolded over three distinct visits in 2020, 2022, and 2024, and I’m excited to share the full story with you.
Beginnings: A Pandemic Escape (2020)
In 2020, as COVID restrictions began to ease, I found myself yearning for a creative outlet beyond my usual architectural photography work here in Raleigh. With a passion for nighttime photography, I packed up my gear, loaded up my fully outfitted Sprinter van, and set off with my family to Jekyll Island’s Driftwood Beach.
Driftwood Beach is a unique place—a constantly changing canvas of trees, washed ashore by the tides, and transformed into a skeletal forest on the sand. I was drawn to this impermanent landscape and its potential for moody nighttime photography.
Behind the Night Lens: A Step-by-Step Look at My Process
Each photoshoot is a mix of careful planning and spontaneous creativity. During the day, I scout for interesting driftwood formations, noting angles and tide flow. At night, I set up my camera on a sturdy tripod weighed down with sandbags, tethered to a laptop or iPad for real-time monitoring.
Using a high-powered flashlight, I find key points for composition, while lens warmers keep my camera free from fog. I light each scene with a combination of ground-based strobes and drone-mounted lights, carefully timing each burst and exposure to capture layers of light. It’s a delicate balance of gear, nature, and luck that creates images that feel both organic and otherworldly.
A Monochrome Mood: The Art of Light and Shadow
Though I capture each image in full color, the final results often appear almost monochromatic, with deep shadows and subtle variations of gray, bronze, and muted blues. It’s a dramatic, low-contrast palette that emphasizes form over vivid color, capturing the driftwood as a sculptural presence.
Returning with Family: 2022 and 2024
In 2022, I returned with my son Kai. Late into the night, his light-up shoes flashed like beacons as he explored the beach. It was an unforgettable bonding moment, more illuminating than any drone light.
By 2024, the beach had changed again, as old driftwood structures disappeared and new ones emerged. My wife, Sandra, joined me for this trip, and she convinced me to capture a few sunrise shots. Though I’m usually drawn to darker images, the soft, pastel hues at dawn were surprisingly compelling.
By the time I revisited in 2024, some of my favorite driftwood structures had completely disappeared and new ones had taken their place—a testament to Mother Nature’s unpredictability. You can’t recreate a shot from a previous year; the beach decides what you’ll find each time. My wife, Sandra, joined me for this trip, and she finally convinced me to capture a few sunrise shots. While I’m typically drawn to darker, moody images, I had to admit the softer, pastel hues at dawn, combined with the lighting were surprisingly compelling.
Even so, my heart is still drawn to the shadows. Deep blacks, selective highlights, and hidden details form the core of my visual signature. Sure, the “bright and saturated” look might be en vogue, but I believe an artist’s calling is to reflect the world as we truly feel it, not merely as it’s expected to be. Letting my own perspective—and the occasional personal demon—shape my work brings an honest connection that I hope resonates in every image.
A Changing Shoreline, A Lasting Impression
Each trip feels like a mini-expedition—balancing gear on shifting sands, timing the tides, and capturing that fleeting dance of light and shadow. The driftwood trees never look the same twice, and that’s why I love photographing them.
Thank you for joining me on this nocturnal adventure. I’d love to hear your thoughts about the interplay between organic art and AI-generated works. And if you’re curious to see more images or want to discuss potential exhibits, feel free to get in touch!
Until the next tide rolls out,
Mike
If you have any questions about the project please feel free to reach out!
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