What makes a perfect weekend for photographers – professional and amateur? Begin with a sparsely populated barrier island, add three days of clear skies, sprinkle with pleasant temperatures morning and night, sharp visibility on the horizon, subtract the presence of annoying insects: mosquitoes and no-see-ums. Mix in nine friendly and eager people, ready to shoot rolls and rolls of film on a wide variety of subjects. Stir in two rugged volunteers who have knowledge of boats and who also prepare scrumptious meals. Finally, two vital ingredients are leaders- one who knows the island like his own backyard, and another who knows the craft of making photographs. That is perfection, and that was the Cape Lookout Photographic Expedition.

This event was offered recently by the NC Maritime Museum. Thirteen of us were housed for the weekend at the Maritime Museum’s field station. Keith Rittmaster, staff member from the museum, proved to be an outstanding leader. He shared his knowledge of the island and expressed genuine enthusiasm in our individual projects.

Professional photographer Scott Taylor from Beaufort shared technical advice, handy tips, encouragement and his great sense of humor.

The subject matter was endless. One could capture landscape shots of the lighthouse, dunes and beach, or focus on pelicans in groups onshore. Groundsel-Tree shrubs in their autumn fluff were interesting subjects when sunlight hit at just the right angle.

Picture this: a long, jagged line of surf fishermen, their fishing gear close at hand and their four wheeled vehicles parked behind them, the entire scene silhouetted against a cobalt blue ocean that glistened in silvery sunlight. Sea birds were there, too, completing the composition. There were photographers who sought such scenes, while others searched for more minute details before their eyes, such as egg capsules of a channeled whelk or the bold hues of gaillardia. And there were those who liked to sneak a shot or two of a fellow photographer at work.

There was no tv, no radio or computer to bring the world’s news to us. We seemed set apart, locked for a time in a perfect setting. Via foot, bicycle or on a flatbed wagon pulled by an atv or four wheeled vehicle, we brief sojourners on this island traversed the area from the lighthouse to the southern tip of beach.

Photography and experimentation are partners. One photographer had unique ideas concerning timed exposures of the lighthouse at night. While assisting her, I marveled at the continual sweeping beam of light, and the immensity of the night sky. Back at the field station under the incredible ceiling of stars, several of us viewed planets through a spotting scope. Rings of Saturn! Moons of Jupiter!

On Sunday after I packed my belongings and loaded them on the wagon, I went one last time to a dune near the station, for a final view of the ocean, eastward. I did not want to leave! Loved ones awaited my return, but I longed to remain, to spend a week or a month, getting to know every road, every high vantage point, every path and every marsh. I dreamed of the photographs and the writing I would put my hands and heart to. Dreaming is free! This was a wonderful weekend not to be duplicated. One experiences the specialties of life, files the notable images into the memory bank, and moves on.

Tonight I am missing the sound of wind and surf, the sound I heard those two nights at the cape while falling asleep. The right ingredients were there. The mix was easy, unhurried. The finished product? New friendships, lasting memories and great photographs.