Michael Kahn’s stylish black and white marine photography is on show at the Penobscot Marine Museum until the 24th August
This striking shot is one of a collection of beautiful and smoothly textured photos by Michael Kahn currently on show at the Penobscot Marine Museum as part of its continuing exhibition Earning their keep: Maine’s windjammers.
Kahn, you won’t be surprised to learn, is captivated by boats. ‘Seldom in man’s history have we created something as beautiful and as functional as the sailboat,’ he is reported to have said. ‘These boats symbolize more than just basic transportation. They represent the ability of man to work with nature. To harness the power of the wind and endure the strength of the sea is an awesome achievement.’
If you’re wondering about the rich texture of the image above, I gather it’s a Kahn trademark and that his images are hand-processed gelatin silver prints. I think this man’s eye is just as impressive – see how the dinghy is moored to the sailing ship’s dophin striker, and how it’s partly framed by the bowsprit – and having clocked that, notice the delicious reflection on the water.
The museum’s press officer, who happens to be my friend Bob Holtzman, adds that Kahn’s work has appeared in a wide variety of magazines ranging from Cruising World and Family Circle to the New York Times. His work even made an appearance in the James Bond movie Die Another Day.
For more information, see the museum’s website. A book of Michael’s photos is also available from Amazon: The Spirit of Sailing: A Celebration of Sea and Sail.
PS Have you used the little logos below yet? They allow you to share this post via Twitter or Facebook, save the link in Google or your own web browser, and finally you can email the link to a friend. Handy, I’d say…