Eldred Rock Lighthouse

Eldred Rock Lighthouse is a unique octagonal building with a bright red roof sitting on a small, exposed island in the Lynn Canal. Built in 1905, it is the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska and the only surviving octagonal frame lighthouse in the state. The setting is what makes this lighthouse so compelling to photograph. It sits completely alone on a rocky island with the steep, often snow covered mountains of the Lynn Canal rising behind it and deep green water on all sides. Most photographers will be shooting from the water, either from the Alaska Marine Highway ferry, a cruise ship, or a charter boat out of Haines or Juneau. A telephoto lens in the 200 to 400mm range is essential for getting a tight composition from a moving vessel. The lighthouse reads well as a small, solitary subject against a massive landscape, so pulling back with a wider lens also works if conditions allow. Overcast skies are common in this part of Southeast Alaska, and that soft, even light actually suits the scene well, keeping contrast manageable and bringing out the greens and greys of the surrounding water and mountains. Summer offers the longest shooting windows and the calmest water. Currently the lighthouse and island are not accessible so plan on shooting from the water and keep an eye on conditions, as the Lynn Canal is exposed to strong winds and rough seas. (Lynn Canal, Southeast Alaska, USA)