Maine In Photographs

Maine In Photographs

Adult nonfiction
People often say that a picture is worth a thousand words. This
is certainly true about those that depict places close to one's
heart. Recently while browsing in Orono Public Library I found a
couple about my adopted state,
Maine.
Fred J. Field's Maine Places, Maine Faces is a bold celebration
of people and places.
*Sturdy Amish children walk to their uncancelled school in the face of
a blizzard.
*A full moon rises behind a lighthouse.
*Racing horses pull old time sleighs.
*buildings smaller than a pointer finger nail and lobster boats a
Polly Pocket could capsize are points of white in an aerial photo of
Cape Porpoise.
Pictures range from panoramic at intimate and there is very skillful
use of light and texture.
Thomas Mark and Leeann Szelog's By A Maine River: A Year of
Looking Closely focuses on a much smaller chunk of turf. Thomas
wanted to show people that they don't have to go to some far off place
to find escape from the chaos in our lives if they can just become
aware of the mystery and beauty where they live. For a year he took
pictures on his seventy acres of land, mostly from the vantage spot of
a camoflauged blind. He introduces the reader to critters such as a
coyote, an albino Eastern gray squirrel, a swimming muskrat, a
dragonfly, a grey tree frog, a cheek bulging chipmunk, and legions of
birds and draws us into majestic river and forest vistas.
I'd recommend both books to people who love or want to learn
about the great state of Maine. The latter is perfect for all the
folks who have yet to see beyond lighthouses and lobsters.
On a personal note, Tuesday evening I was at an outdoor concert at
Webster Park. I commented to a friend about the beauty of the sky
reflected in the river. She looked startled and then amazed and told
me she hadn't thought to look at the river. It was almost literally
under her nose. Methinks Szelog makes a whole lot of sense.
A great big shout out goes out to photographers who help us be aware
of the natural beauty around us.
jules hathaway


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