Just another beautiful weekend here on Hatteras Island.  We can definitely feel the weather getting warmer and warmer!  Spring will be in full swing here before we know it.

   I had an opportunity to drop by one of our amazing Signature Elite properties; this one brand new to our program.  This house is incredible; sprawling floor plan, unbelievable views out of every window and an impeccable location for surfers and kiters alike.  All I had with me was my cell phone so I took some quick snaps as I made my way through this sound-perched beach castle.  These quick and easy pictures are a perfect segway to this weeks photo post and artistic food for thought.

It has been said many times that the best camera is the one you always have with you.  It seems like with the increasing capabilities of cellphone cameras and apps like Instagram and Hipstamatic that the photographic possibilities of phones has become a legitimate platform for artistic expression.

  Recently, New York Times photographer Damon Winter won third place in Pictures of The Year for a photo essay he did titled A Grunt’s Life…. shot entirely on an iphone using the Hipstamatic polaroid faux-filter.  It definitely raises legitimacy in the use of technology otherwise suited for status updates and party photos.  On the other side of the coin it also sparks a lot criticism and speculation as to what photography really is and where has the art in it gone.  As facebook and instagram are flooded with massive amounts of “iPhoneography” how does art stand out?

  In my opinion photography has always existed as an accessible art form.  Anyone can obtain the proper tools and create something beautiful to look at- the talent and challenge rather exists in the balance of a beautiful image and the story it tells.  Some photos are much better than others at doing this… and equally some photos require the support of a batch to echo their message.

  So as the web is blanketed by a pictoral collage stemming from the most expensive equipment to the most available… the cell phone… it is our responsibility and priviledge to be artistically discriminant- to demand quality over quantity… yet appreciate the beauty in photography as a medium of infinite outlets.

  Here at The Weekly Gems we will continue to make it our mission to present you with these beautiful images no matter what lens we observe them through.  In addition, challenge you to do the same! Happy shooting!

-Jason

  Had a great opportunity to stop by ‘2for1’ today.  A beautiful house in Hatteras who’s name boasts both a two for one view as well as a two to the owner’s other property… ‘One’  Just another wonderful new property recently added to The Signature Elite homes at Outer Beaches Realty

lunch break

 I can’t tell you how many times I’ve swam out in better conditions to shoot surfing and come up with less.  I found these few during a quick 45minute swim against a gentle north drift.  A bit of leftover swell and light offshore winds pulled together some sunny winter barrels characteristic of Hatteras Island.  More often than not getting everything together to create a good shot is next to impossible; everything seemed to work out resulting in these gems for you this week. Enjoy!

Some pretty cold wind swell at the Lighthouse this morning.

Small fun swell at the lighthouse this morning followed by a quick kiting session at Canadia Hole; definitely a great reason to take the drive south.  The weather is about to move in tonight; looking at a cold night ahead.