https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/cape-cod-soul-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/colorado-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/contemporary-coastal/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/sun-moon-stars/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/rock-harbor/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/blog/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/ocean/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/blue-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/orange-yellow-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/purple-rose-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/cape-cod-aerial-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/square-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/panoramic-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/artist-choice/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/best-sellers/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/vertical-photos/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/gallery/welcome/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/page/artist/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/page/blog/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/page/faq/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/page/print-options/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/blue-hour/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Blue-Hour-20221111-4969.jpg Blue Hour Blue Hour was photographed during the very early hours at Nauset Beach. It is rare to see this depth of blue scale along with the reflection from the rising sun and to capture the ocean waves while panning the scene. As a photographer to witness this moment and then be able to capture the light and the scene is a gift that I am so grateful to share. Nauset Beach-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/olde-cape-cod/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Olde-Cape-Cod-20231103-3810.jpg Olde Cape Cod On one of my morning sunrise adventures the sun was hiding behind the clouds during sunrise so I went exploring and found this little 'pond' of water with this classic Cape Cod skiff. The light was a bit soft and challenging, but patience paid off as just for a moment the light illuminated the marsh grass with a golden glow adding to this quintessential Cape Cod scene. Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/summer-lines/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Summer-Lines-20231028-02714.jpg Summer Lines Summer Lines has so many different shades of summer. Perhaps it should be Tan Lines instead of summer lines! The colors just kept getting more vibrant with the hint of softness from the pink and lavender in the background along the Cape Cod dunes. A special morning to catch the beautiful light and shades of The Flats! Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/creamsicle/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Creamsicle-20231102-3118.jpg Creamsicle Creamsicle was a photo I had been trying to capture for years. With the early morning light and the soft ripples from the boat wake I often didn't have enough light to catch a scene like this. Fortunately on this morning everything came together from the soft ripples, calm ocean, the yellow reflection of the sky on the water and the opportunity to pan the scene to give it the dreamy painterly look. Ocean https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/cotton-candy/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Cotton-Candy-20231113-6400.jpg Cotton Candy Cotton Candy was the result of taking a chance. Rather than showing up on the ocean side for sunrise I decided to take my chances and try the bay side. I could look up and see the most incredible sunrise sky over the ocean and thought about switching locations, but it was too late. I wouldn't make it to the ocean on time to capture the spectacular colors. After about 30 minutes this light show happened and a little later that same day I captured the award winning photo, The Flats. Patience is a virtue! Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/dancing-starfish/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Dancing-Starfish-20050722-186.jpg Dancing Starfish Dancing Starfish is a classic photo, perfect to brighten any wall area or your spirits. The short story behind the photo is the sun was behind clouds once I arrived at my destination to photograph a still life. I patiently waited for a break in the clouds, but after quite a while I realized it probably wasn't going to happen on that day. After I picked up the starfish to leave, the sun came out for a split second, I dropped the starfish on the sand, and this is how they landed. I took the photo and it was a wrap for the day! Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/summer-flight/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Summer-Flight-20220927-1018.jpg Summer Flight Summer flight was photographed during the same photo session as 'Truly Orleans'. The clouds were lit by the filtered sunshine creating a beautiful soft reflection at low tide. The bird in flight just made this picture perfect. Rock Harbor - Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/lavender-bay/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Lavender-Bay-20210526-4395.jpg Lavender Bay Lavender Bay was photographed in the springtime during the 'blue hour' which is first light of the day. This lavender effect is caused by the relative diffusibility of shorter wavelengths (bluer rays) of visible light versus the longer wavelengths (redder rays). During the 'blue hour', red light passes through space while blue light is scattered in the atmosphere. Blue 'Hour' goes by in the blink of an eye! Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/ripples/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Ripples-20231110-5086.jpg Ripples Ripples was photographed during a morning of visiting a number of locations. The light was 'cape cod gray' and once in a while a sun beam would burst through the clouds. This photo required a great deal of patience as the incoming tide added to the 'ripple effect'. I love the simplicity and the solitude of the skiff gently making ripples in the soft salty breeze. Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/sunrise-karma/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Sunrise-Karma-20231005-7102.jpg Sunrise Karma Sunrise Karma was a pleasant surprise. It is often rare to view these vibrant colors lined up during 'blue hour' without additional clouds along with a beautiful mirror reflection on the water. Sunrise Karma is a wonderful way to start the day! Ocean https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/nauset-swirl/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Nauset-Sunrise-20220822-1825.jpg Nauset Swirl Nauset is one of my favorite places to photograph sunrise. Mother nature put on quite a show on this particular morning. The ocean was fairly calm with a soft breeze. Catching the reflection of the beautiful pinks and yellows in the surf was a huge bonus. Nauset Beach-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/may-day/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/May-Day-20200501-8295.jpg May Day This photo was taken on May 1, 2020 otherwise known as May Day. We were all still in 'lockdown mode' so very few people were out and about along with the rainy weather that day. It rained most of the day until right before sunset when we decided to take a ride to the beach. The sun was just burning through the thick layer of fog and the sand dunes were quite wind blown after a long day of storms. The result was the Cape looking like it was covered in snow with a view of the 'Cape Cod Mountains' in the distance otherwise known as The Heights! Nauset Beach-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/coast-guard-beach/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Coast-Guard-Beach-20110811-I3697.jpg Coast Guard Beach 2011 Coast Guard Beach in Eastham on Cape Cod was photographed from a Cessna plane with a Canon camera on August 11, 2011. Since that time Coast Guard Beach has seen a lot of changes due to beach erosion. The entrance to the beach is now further right in the photo as the beach erosion closed the prior entrance. Behind the lighthouse is Nauset Marsh with a view of the Cape Cod Rail Trail bridge over the marsh. Coast Guard beach was ranked in the top 10 beaches by 'Dr. Beach' in 2022 and 2023! Eastham-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/fish-weir/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Fish-Weir-20050827-724.jpg Fish Weir This fish weir was photographed in Nantucket Sound from a Cessna plane with a Canon Camera on August 27, 2005. A fish weir, also known as a fish trap, is a semi-permanent structure made of netting and poles driven into the ocean floor to trap fish. The poles form a maze-like enclosure that resembles a heart, spade, or mickey mouse ears from above. Fish are unable to swim backwards, so they follow the shape of the enclosure and become trapped. The fishermen typically start up in April and end in the fall.These days sea bass, butterfish, squid and sometimes scup are fished in this manner, though the practice is limited. Even so, the quality of fish caught up in the traps makes it all worthwhile for the fishermen who have to put out the nets and poles, then remove them again, each season. Nantucket Sound -Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/rock-harbor-aerial/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Rock-Harbor-20090807-7984.jpg Rock Harbor Aerial 2009 Rock Harbor Aerial was photographed from a Cessna plane using a Canon camera on August 7, 2009. It was low tide so the majority of the sport fishing fleet were in the harbor making it the perfect day to capture the harbor with a full fleet. There have been many changes at the harbor over the years, making this photo one of a kind and capturing the history of a special place in Orleans on Cape Cod. Rock Harbor - Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/chatham-sands-2010/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Chatham-Sands--20100802-2833.jpg Chatham Sands 2010 Chatham Sands was photographed on a beautiful summer day on August 2, 2010 from a Cessna plane with a Canon camera. It was low tide, so you could see the depth of the sand along with a beautiful bluebird day, summer at its best on Cape Cod! Stage Harbor Lighthouse is on the left side of the photo and on the upper right in the background is Chatham Lighthouse. Chatham-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/nauset-outer-beach-2010/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Nauset-Outer-Beach-100814-4331.jpg Nauset Outer Beach 2010 I photographed Nauset Outer Beach from a Cessna plane with a Canon Camera on August 14, 2010. On Patriot's Day in April 2007, the Patriot's Day storm cut a new inlet through North Beach as can be seen in the photo about 2/3's of the way down. Back in the day we referred to it as 'the new cut' as it divided Nauset Outer Beach a place where many locals spent many days on this ORV beach. There were also a number of 'camps' that were affected as they could no longer reach their camp by ORV and the new cut changed the landmass causing the majority of the camps to be moved to avoid falling into the ocean. The end of the beach was was a fun place to walk during low tide and dip your toes in the sand and feel for sand dollars. The sand pattern is no longer like this at the end. The sand has filled in the tidal pools at the right side of the land at the end. Nauset Beach-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/sunrise-symmetry/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Sunrise-Symmetry-20231005-7143.jpg Sunrise Symmetry I love the symmetry in this sunrise photo along with the strong band of colors as the sun rises over the ocean. This is more rare than common to see the sun with such a hazy glow with a dark background and vibrant colors lighting up the sky. Earlier in the summer season the Canadian wildfires were impacting the colors of the sunrise and sunset along the cape, but this hazy red was photographed in the early fall. Ocean https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/beach-break/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Beach-Break-20020818-.jpg Beach Break Beach Break was my all time best selling image when I first launched Cape Cod Soul. I scouted out this location one year in advance and visualized this photo with the chairs, the towel, the book, The NoteBook (which was my favorite love story at the time), and the golden hour lighting. Most of the sand has eroded from this location and been replaced by beach grass and a very steep dune. I'm glad I stopped to take the time to create this photo before this ocean view location eroded and no longer can be recreated. What is the only thing missing from this photo? You, the viewer sitting in these chairs! Ocean https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/crescent-moon/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Crescent-Moon-20231111-05291.jpg Crescent Moon As I was driving to a sunrise location I could see the beautiful waning crescent moon above the ocean. I knew I only had a short window to catch this beautiful sight and fortunately I was able to photograph the moon as first light was glowing along the horizon. On 11/11/23 the waning moon was about 4% Full. "A Waning Crescent Moon is the perfect time to rest and regenerate. It's a period of self-care; to find inner peace and reconnect with yourself, surrendering all that has happened that is out of our control, before the lunar cycle begins again. As the light of the Moon wanes, energy is slowing down and bathing us in feelings of satiation and gratitude." Ocean https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/on-golden-pond/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/On-Golden-Pond-20231017-8849.jpg On Golden Pond On Golden Pond happened while I was photographing another beautiful scene. Luckily I was in the right place at the right time. The light changed so rapidly that I was only able to capture the serenity of the light and the golden glow in one click. I love the perspective of the dimension with the foreground panned beach grass and the low tide sand exposure with the shades of gold. On Golden Pond is very peaceful depicting the beautiful cape colors during the early fall season. Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/the-tide-waits-for-no-one/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/The-Tide-Waits-For-No-One-20170530-2989.jpg The Tide Waits For No One Every year in the spring time, the 'Clam Trees' are planted for the upcoming summer season. The clam trees are actually channel markers at Rock Harbor in Orleans on Cape Cod for the sport fishing fleet. People come from all over the world to see the spectacular sunsets at Rock Harbor. This is a tidal harbor which simply means the tide changes daily, low-high, making it impossible to leave or enter the harbor by boat during low tide. This skiff is waitng for the tide to turn. so it can leave the harbor. One of my favorite expressions, The Tide Waits For No One! Rock Harbor - Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/ocean-blues/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Ocean-Blues-20220613-DSC00949.jpg Ocean Blues While I was preparing to photograph the Strawberry Moon Rise over the ocean and arrived to my location early I captured Ocean Blues. What a bonus. This is one of my all time favorite photos. I love the strong vertical lines of the sand at low tide and I also love the smooth texture and movement with the technique panning. The blue is just the perfect ocean blue on a summer day. Ocean Blues has such a soothing effect. Ocean Blues was featured in the Sept/Oct edition of Cape Cod Life. Cape Cod Ocean https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/morning-crossing/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Morning-Crossing-20231005-7177.jpg Morning Crossing I was very lucky to see the shape of a cross reflected in the water during the sunrise. And then the huge bonus, the birds flew by right on cue. Photography is a combination of uderstanding the light, being in the right place at the right time and sometimes a little luck! I fortunatley had all three in my favor on that morning. Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/nauset-zzzs/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Nauset-ZZZs-20201015-1495.jpg Nauset ZZZ's Nauset ZZZ's was chosen for the cover of Cape Cod Life in the September/October 2022 Issue. The tag line was 'Love is in Season'. The same issue of Cape Cod Life featured a 6 page spread on Marcia's life long photo journey. Having my photo on the cover was a complete surprise. This particular fence is gone now as it is covered in sand and a new fence has been built surrounded by beach grass. Nauset Beach-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/purple-satin/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Purple-Satin-20231010-7285.jpg Purple Satin Purple Satin is a real eye catcher with these dreamy purple shaded waves paired with the rainbow sunrise. The technique panning was used to slow down the waves and blend the beautiful colors of the sky. Purple satin would make a great statement piece especially in a location where you have plenty of time to view all the details in this fine art photograph. Nauset Beach-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/blue-heart/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Blue-Heart-20231026-1290.jpg Blue Heart Blue Heart appeared on a very special day at sunrise. It didn't last long and it was the only photo I got that day of the low tide heart. I love finding hearts in nature and this is one of my favorite photos. Chatham - Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/aspen-hues/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Aspen-Hues-20240301-8920.jpg Aspen Hues I have been drawn to the Aspens for so long and wanted to try a vertical panning shot catching the different colors of the aspens along with the lighting behind the trees. This photo was taken during the winter after a fresh snow. I was really pleased with the look of the aspens here as I find vertical panning a more difficult process than horizontal panning. I love the lines and the soft winter color of the aspens. Colorado https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/bay-rose/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Rose-All-Day-20231019-9674-2.jpg Bay Rose Bay Rose was captured at Cape Cod Bay on a magical weather day. What started with a sky on fire over the ocean led to a spectacular view with the pink light over the bay. Although this only lasted for a few moments I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. Shortly after photographing this spectacular early morning light a shelf could moved in, it started to rain and shortly after there was a rainbow. Absolutely magical light! Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/beach-blues/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Beach-Blues-20201031-02827.jpg Beach Blues Early on the morning of October 31, 2020 which was the morning of the Blue Moon, I photographed Beach Blues using a technique called panning. I love how it was so blue in the bay on the day of the Blue Moon. A "Blue Moon" refers to a month with two full Moons! The first Full moon was on October 1, 2020. The last full moon on Halloween! Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/bay-blues/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Bay-Blues-20210526-DSC04409.jpg Bay Blues Bay Blues was photographed in the early morning light, sometimes referred to as the 'blue hour'. I had arrived early before sunrise to watch the Super Flower Full Moon set over the bay on May 26, 2021. People in Australia and parts of the western US, were able to see the Super Flower Full Moon totally eclipsed and turn a shade of red for about 14 minutes during this total lunar eclipse. I photographed the moon rise the night before and I watched the moon set over the bay and it was a beautiful shade of red! Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/purple-passion/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Purple-Passion-20221111-5034.jpg Purple Passion Purple is my favorite color. Being able to witness and capture these beautiful colors at sunrise was euphoric. The colors change rapidly and you have to be quick to choose your camera settings for the way you want to capture the vibrant colors in a split moment. Purple passion is one of my favorite purple photos. Nauset Beach-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/truly-orleans/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Truly-Orleans-20220927-1036.jpg Truly Orleans Rock Harbor has the best sunsets perhaps in the world. I might be a little biased as this is my hometown. I love Rock Harbor morning, noon and night. This image was photographed in the early morning light to get a little different view of the beautiful Clam Trees. I am honored that my photograph, Truly Orleans was picked to be on the cover of the local Orleans Magazine, "Truly Orleans", for the Summer/Fall season 2024. Rock Harbor - Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/summer-symmetry/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Summer-Symmetry-20210920-6983.jpg Summer Symmetry Summer Symmetry was captured with a technique called panning. The low tide combined with early morning light created this pastel of dreamy blues with a rose tinge reflecting from the sky. The foreground has a snippet of soft green beach grass as its changing hues with the fall equinox. Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/clam-trees/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Clam-Trees.jpg Clam Trees The iconic Clam Trees have been around for years at Rock Harbor on Cape Cod. Every year in the Spring they are 'planted' as Channel markers for navigation for the Rock Harbor fishing fleet. There are lots of stories about the 'Clam Trees' and do they really grow clams? Read more about the history and lore about the clam trees in my blog post. People come from all over the world in the summer to photograph the Clam Trees at sunset in the summer! Rock Harbor - Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/hero/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Hero.jpg Hero The iconic skiff, Hero was located on the Herring River in Harwich, MA near the Old Irish Pub. For many years the skiff appeared each spring and was often painted different colors every few years. For a number of years it was blue, then red and more recently it was painted black. I feel very lucky to have scouted out this skiff when it was blue! Hero was photographed at sunrise to capture the warm light and the stillness of the reflection. Harwich-Cape Cod https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/the-flats/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/The-Flats-20231113.jpg The Flats I have been intrigued for years with the patterns in the sand created from the shifting tides. Cape Cod Bay is tidal and about every 6.5 hours the tide rises and then falls completing the 13 hour cycle daily. Since the tides change daily there are a lot of different opportunities to catch the low or high tide with different light. One of my favorite quotes, "The Tide Waits for No One!" Cape Cod Bay https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/salty-blues/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Salty-Blues-20231110.jpg Salty Blues The early morning light was turning very cloudy and gray. Rain was on the way. I had picked a location for sunrise, but the cloudy sky did not give way to a 'picture perfect' sunrise so I got in my car and scouted out a number of other locations. It was getting rather late (about an hour after sunrise) when I found this beautiful little Cape Cod skiff. At first the light was overcast with no detail, and the tide was making it difficult to find a good vantage point to photograph the skiff. As I patiently waited for the tide to turn, the sun illuminated the clouds with a soft rose and blue glow. Patience is a virtue! Nauset Marsh https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/photo/skaket-rose/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/images/xl/Skaket-Rose-20201018-01748.jpg Skaket Rose On this morning at Skaket Beach the sun was just beginning to create an alpen glow illuminating the sky and the fishing boat along the horizon during low tide. Rather than choosing panning, a technique that can create a soothing dreamy feeling, I chose an exposure to keep the fishing boat sharp and capturing the first blue light on the tidal flats and the rose colored sky that only lasted a few seconds. Its moments like these that keep me inspired to 'patiently wait' for first light. Skaket Rose is one of my favorite photos along with being one of the bestsellers! Skaket Beach https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/news/ https://www.marciajoyduggan.com/contact/