black and white photography, virginia beach oceanfront boardwalk photographer

When I booked a trip on a winter wildlife boat tour, I never considered that we'd get a whole new view of the Virginia Beach shoreline. Normally seen from down the boardwalk, or right below the buildings, we had the opportunity to see the oceanfront from a distance, taking in all of the hotels, attractions, and the Cape Henry lighthouses. It was a clear, bright, sunny day filled with lots of haze and glare. Once I began to process the photographs, I wondered what they would look like in black and white, hoping for a timeless feel that could lend itself to an older day, when the boardwalk was full of long dresses and top hats instead of hover boards and iPods.

black and white photography, virginia beach oceanfront boardwalk photographer, cape henry lighthouse, fort story

As we left the boardwalk behind at 40th street, I imagined the beautiful houses on the beach in the north end, some simple beach shacks dating back many, many years. The dunes there are my favorites in Virginia Beach, with tall grasses holding them in place and long pathways leading to wide beaches. I could just barely see couples walking their dogs and families clustered in groups, soaking up the warm winter day.

It was as we got closer to Fort Story that I realized what I was the most excited to see. The Cape Henry Lighthouses stood side by side, one working to protect the coast while the other represents the history of the area. Seeing both lighthouses together, with the water spread out in front of them, was a rare treat for me. And one that makes me want to find another boat tour ASAP! I'd love to go out on the water again at sunrise, as the sky is just beginning to light up with the morning's light. The colors would be spectacular, the sunlight more magical, and the winds hopefully lighter.

A New Perspective of the Shoreline