You never know when you might encounter the perfect photo opportunity by a lighthouse. So why not be ready to record a little video clip as well? I’ve been fortunate to capture video b-roll of seven magnificent New England beacons across my travels, and here’s my little video tribute to them.
A few weeks after a wonderful experience capturing my drone footage of Goat Island Lighthouse in Cape Porpoise, Maine, I recognized my interest in this beautiful beacon wasn’t an isolated pursuit. In fact, this creative exercise was part of a larger visual exploration I’ve been organically pursuing for the past four years.
My travels have placed me near other New England lighthouses, and I’ve been drawn to them as well, recording b-roll video clips with the camera gear I carried at the time.
My Video Tribute to New England Lighthouses
I planned to use my DJI Flip drone for my Goat Island Lighthouse project, but my tiny DJI Osmo Pocket 3 gimbal camera has been an indispensable tool for more spontaneous lighthouse spotting opportunities (such as during harbor cruises with my family).
So, I decided to review my lighthouse b-roll I’ve ‘randomly’ collected across the years, and then I edited together a few of these clips under a music track I created using Google Flow Music.
Now, the pattern is suddenly much clearer to me: I love shooting videos of lighthouses!
Here’s my salute to seven of them…
From Connecticut and Rhode Island up to Maine
If you should be interested in checking out some of these lighthouses for yourself, here are their names and locations: (listed in the order first seen)
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Portland, Maine
Goat Island Lighthouse, Cape Porpoise, Maine
Peck Ledge Lighthouse, Norwalk, Connecticut
Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Norwalk Connecticut
Portland Head Light, Portland, Maine
Rose Island Lighthouse, Newport, Rhode Island
Ram Island Ledge Light, Portland, Maine
A Guiding Light
The destination for any creative process is often unknown. But the path that leads me to capture the powerful beauty of lighthouses appears well lit.
If Trekkies from the past had invented a time portal TV that could pull in shows from the future, they would have loved watching the season 4 premiere of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.” And so did I. Just don’t tell them there are only 15 episodes left.
This has not exactly been a good year for the “Star Trek” franchise.
“Star Trek: Starfleet Academy” was immediately cancelled after its first season. (The second season had already been shot by that point. So, we will eventually get to see it.)
The Kelvin timeline movie franchise by J.J. Abrams was officially cancelled after failing for many years to get a fourth film into production.
Arguably the jewel of the new Trek universe, “Strange New Worlds” got its decommission orders to wrap it up after five seasons (and a shorter 6-episode final season at that).
All this on the 60th anniversary of “Star Trek.”
This Trekkie is not celebrating.
The Beginning of the End of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds”
No new series in the pipeline. There is some vague discussion about a movie reboot. (We’ve heard this before.)
Is the Federation breaking up? Are these the final voyages of the Starship Enterprise?
Well, we’ve known for almost 60 years how “Strange New Worlds” is supposed to end. And as much as any faithful Trekkie wants the writers to surprise us, they’ve already shown us the implications of changing the timeline.
Fate can be a bummer.
All this said, yes, I’m still clinging on to that Kirk line (quoting Spock) from the end of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
“…there are always possibilities.”
So, it’s under this near-universal dark cloud that season 4 of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” launches…
My Thoughts on the Season 4 Premiere: “Valles Marineris”
Yes, of course, I immediately watched the season premiere.
What’s the plot about? I’ll only say that (slight spoiler) it involves time travel… and dinosaurs. But it was really about purpose, ethics and destiny.
Yep… classic Trek.
An hour later, I turned off the TV as the credits rolled. I stood up from my couch and smiled. I felt like a kid again. Wow.
This was a really good episode. In fact, it was fantastic! Most importantly, it was solid science fiction with strong writing.
We’ve already got an excellent cast of established characters, led by Anson Mount as Captain Christopher Pike. You just need a script that makes you think a bit and then say, “Whoa!”That’s always been the promise of “Star Trek.” And that’s what “Valles Marineris.” gave us.
This is as Good as It Gets
And to all those reviewers who pulverized “Starfleet Academy” to a quick demise earlier this year (and not entirely undeservedly), let me say this:
You must admit that “Strange New Worlds” is as close to capturing the core spirit of classic Trek as any of the newer series. Yes, this is as good as it gets. It takes big swings, and I believe it’s worth watching. No, every episode isn’t perfect, and the writing has sometimes been uneven.
But remember, every episode of the original series or “The Next Generation” wasn’t a gem either.
The Needs of the Many
“Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” is deserving of way more support.
Because the alternative is… nothing. No “Star Trek.” And that’s currently what’s in the pipeline.
I think we can all agree that we need a little ongoing optimistic “Star Trek” in our lives.
Sure, it might be fun to pick at little problems in the remaining episodes, and that may get reviewers more readers or clicks.
But any true Trekkie must acknowledge this series continues to successfully ‘hit it’ most of the time. (It’s the only logical conclusion.)
“Strange New Worlds” has always been a shining beacon for the new “Trek” era.
Fate and Season 5
Season 5 will have to focus on wrapping it all up to the point when Captain Kirk takes command. And that’s going to be bittersweet. I really like this crew, but we know that a few aren’t part of Kirk’s bridge. So, their futures are a huge question mark.
And we also know Pike’s fate as explained in “The Menagerie” from the original series. But that’s for season 5 to work through.
So, this 10-episode fourth season is the last time we can simply sit back and enjoy the ride.
Trekkies Unite!
Both seasons 4 and 5 of “Strange New Worlds” are in the can. This series is ‘officially’ over with 15 episodes left to watch.
But after watching the confident season 4 premiere, I can’t help but feel that the best is yet to come.
And I hope that the ratings skyrocket for these final voyages of Pike’s Starship Enterprise.
Because if that happens… there are always possibilities.
Standing on the rocky shore of Goat Island near Cape Porpoise, Maine, I gained a whole new perspective as I flew my little camera drone around this magnificent tower. Here’s my footage. See for yourself.
Goat Island Lighthouse has stood at the edge of the southern Maine coastline for almost two centuries. It wasn’t built to be admired. It was built to be obeyed. Established in 1833 to guard the entrance to Cape Porpoise Harbor, ‘Goat Island Light’ is still an active beacon.
I’ve admired this brick tower for the past five summers during our vacations to the Cape Porpoise coast.
Though Goat Island Lighthouse continues to shine bright at night, the morning sun enhances its beauty and bold elegance.
A Lighthouse, a Kayak, and My Drone
I’ve taken many photos from afar. But this year, I decided it was time to try to capture its rugged strength up close and from the air.
With my preproduction planning complete, I set out in a kayak shortly after first light with my DJI camera drone and headed off to the rocky shore of Goat Island.
As soon as I arrived, I put my little DJI Flip drone in the air and got to work recording short clips. And I’m proud to present my completed video sequence of Goat Island Lighthouse.
My experience capturing these aerial moments was exhilarating. And I’m pleased that my footage benefits from a rousing score I conjured up via Google Flow Music (another remarkable AI-powered creative tool).
Five Summers of Admiring… One Morning of Finally Flying
Creative success is often a team sport. I’d like to thank Kennebunkport Conservation Trust for permission to fly my drone by the lighthouse. And special thanks go to my two friends for accompanying me on my little adventure.
I captured incredible views that few can normally see. I’m still beaming.
