Field Guides
Outer Banks weekend — Lighthouses and Jockey's Ridge
Bodie Island and Cape Hatteras in afternoon light, and the big dune at sunrise.
Bodie Island
The black-and-white banded tower stands back from the road across a marsh, with a boardwalk out over the water. Late afternoon puts the sun on its west side. The 70-180mm compresses the tower against the marsh grass.
Cape Hatteras
An hour south. The black-and-white spiral is the tallest brick lighthouse in the country. Shoot it from the path on the beach side with the 24-70mm wide, and wait for people to clear the base.
Jockey's Ridge at sunrise
The tallest active sand dune on the Atlantic coast. Climb before sunrise for the wind ripples in side light; they are gone by mid-morning, when the kite flyers and hang gliders arrive. Low angles, the 28mm, and a plastic bag over the camera between frames.
Sand
Do not change lenses on the dune. Put the lens you want on in the car.