This photo was taken in January of 2017 with my Pentax K1 and the 28-105mm kit lens. The K1 is one of my favorite cameras I have ever owned, and the 28-105 is arguably one of the very best "kit" lenses I have used with any system. I no longer own the K1, but I frequently think about buying a used one.

I currently own a Sony a7rv, as well as a Nikon ZF. Both of these cameras are objectively "better" than my old K1, but I rarely get the joy from using either my Sony or Nikon that I got from the K1.

I took this photo one evening at blue hour in January while I was on a business trip in New Bern, NC. I was staying in a hotel right on the river front, and walked outside after eating dinner. I noticed the bay was filled with Shrimping Trawlers, as well as many onlookers on the river front dock. I walked out to ask what was going on, and found out that this was a protest by the Shrimpers concerning a new law proposed that would negatively affect their shrimping.

Several of the trawlers were pulling up anchor and starting to leave, and it was quickly getting dark. I debated if I had time to go and get my camera out of my room (which was on the top floor of the hotel), but was concerned that I would likely be too late to get any photos. I only hesitated for a second, and decided to make a run for it, so I ran from the dock back into the hotel. As is usual when you're in a hurry, the elevator seemed not only slower than usual, but also determined to stop on every floor!

After what seemed like an eternity, I finally made it back down to the riverfront with my K1, 28-105, and tripod. These three trawlers were the only ones left this close to shore, but I loved the colors of the boats against the blueness of the sky and water, and the position of the Trawler in the distance. The bridge added a nice element on the horizon. I would have liked to have gotten a bit of visual separation between the boats and bridge, but it just was not possible from my vantage point. In the end I was happy with this shot. I am retired now, but this image always brings a smile to my face, as it coincided with a very happy time in my life!