Photo of the Month

"One of my favorite ways to photograph the lowcountry is from a small plane - the birds eye view. In October and November the atmosphere begins to free itself from the steamy haze of summer caused by high temperatures and humidity. While winter offers the clearest air, the ground is shoe-leather grey and brown. I prefer the turning marsh grasses in fall, when I have access to a virtual kaleidoscope of warm colors.

On this October morning, I was struck by the simple harmony and symmetry of a small creek’s meandering path through the salt marsh. The beauty and perfection of the natural world is always humbling. It is a unique quality of photography that allows one to capture a simple moment in time. This view was a striking contrast to the ocean front homes I had been shooting earlier. Interestingly, both the beach front and salt water marsh are dramatic, ever changing and vulnerable to the elements, natural and man made. "

Eric Horan

Eric Horan Signature

Photo Tip:For aerial photography, a high-wing plane (like Cessna) allows for clear viewing out the window - which can remain open while shooting. Use image stabilized (IS) lenses whenever possible and always keep your camera strap around your neck. The winds immediately outside the plane are near hurricane force.

For more information on the environmental status of the state’s coastal waters, the S.C Sea Grant Consortium provides a wealth of information and resources. It is a state agency, a university-based network supporting research, education, and outreach. Among their resources are funding opportunities, research projects, conferences, education, events and newsletters.

Subscription to their quarterly publication, Coastal Heritage, is free by e-mailing Annette.Dunmeyer@scseagrant.org. See Rising Tide: Will Climate Change Drown Coastal Wetlands? Volume 21, Number 3, Winter 2007.

Visit Eric Horan's Website southernlight.biz to learn more information