Four of the Best Local Places to Capture the Beautiful New England Landscape

As a photographer I am always intrigued by stunning pictures from far away places. Recently my eyes and lens have been fixed more on locations right in my backyard or very close to home.  My landscape photography is focused around the changing light of the sunrise and sunset. So here, I’m going to give away a few of these local locations. I think that even if you are not a photographer and just a family explorer, you too will enjoy these spots.

Sakonnet Point is often overlooked and is more like a resting place for locals on a Sunday drive unlike the traffic filled streets of Newport. I often find myself alone on this jagged shore in the shadows on the Sakonnet Light, watching the clouds, wind and tide change with each second. If you are looking for a more secluded spot instead of the more traditional jetty walk, find a parking spot either by the Sakonnet Yacht Club or across from the public boat ramp located on Sakonnet Point Road and walk to the end of Rhode Island Road. You will find a small open access point to the shore. Here along this stretch of land you’ll find very picturesque rocks formations, a great view of the lighthouse as well as a quiet beach made up of stone and sand. This has to be one of my favorite locations and if I were to want to spend the afternoon on a quiet shore, this would be the place.

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge is another that tops my list. This location has some incredible views which can be easily taken in by walking the well groomed paths. There is also plenty of access to the rocky shore and an abundance of wildlife. Be sure to arrive early before first light and you’ll be amazed at the amount of deer grazing in the fields. This location is not just for the summer, there is an abundance of shore birds that call this sanctuary home and over the winter, it hosts the largest winter population of harlequin ducks.  I have taken and seen very dramatic photographs from this spot and another one of my Rhode Island favorites.

is something that, as a Bristolian, I often take for granted. The rocky shoreline hidden away from the usual picnic spots offer some unique views of Narragansett Bay. I prefer to park in the last parking lot before you make the loop back around the drive and walk the trails to the shoreline. The sunsets in this area can be serene and many times, although the park itself may have an abundance of visitors, there is plenty of room for solitude in this quiet corner.

, there is so much to say about this historic piece of land. I often ask myself why aren’t there more people ? The facility has well marked public parking, plenty of trails for birding and plenty of access to the shore and local wetlands. On cool mornings the pond is host to a variety of birds and provides an incredible foreground to complement most sunrises. You will also find traditional New England architecture that glows in the light of the setting sun. This is surely on my list for vibrant fall foliage pictures this fall.

Ed King is a landscape photographer living in Bristol, Rhode Island, his work can been seen on his Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/02809Photography & Website www.02809photo.com