Recent Work From Smith Island (by Ian Plant)
Just got back from leading back-to-back workshops on Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Smith Island is severed from the mainland by a six-mile stretch of water, and can only be accessed by boat. Several small communities cling to their traditional way of life, shrinking every year as the waterman trade they rely on slowly decreases. My workshop participants and I had a great time photographing the old crabbing shanties, abundant wildlife, and timeless seascapes of the Chesapeake Bay.
Smith Island is literally running out of time. Even if the local economy could be revived, rising sea levels resulting from global warming will likely inundate the island within the next few decades, a fate that most of the low elevation islands of the Bay will suffer. In fact, many have already succumbed.
Visit Ian Plant Photography to see some of the images I took while there.
Lovely image, Ian – really evocative and inviting!
- Jack
Stunning light, Ian! Love it.
Awesome work man! Just inspired me to spend some time on the island this September, Joe
what a wonderful place. I grew up in Maryland, and appreciate the photos so that other people can share the culture of the bay. I actually painted the sunset mural on Isabel Island, close to there.