Lessons in Hindsight
If ever you could say “hindsight is 2020,” last year was the case. Looking back on 2020, it was a time of much trauma and loss, highs and lows. Our thoughts are with those who have suffered during this trying time, and our hats are off to those who have served our communities. Thank you.
At Ultimate Sailing we entered the year with enthusiasm and spirit, only to come to a grinding halt mid-March. One by one my photography assignments canceled and with a dearth of projects, I too was home-bound. I reorganized, redecorated, reconnected and zoomed! But as with most: all within the same four walls.
On solitary walks on the beach I dabbled with my iPhone and the incredible capabilities of these remarkable hand-held wonders.
Capturing the beauty of the sea, spray and creatures at low tide was moving; the sunsets and never-ending play of light on the rocks and glossy sand was mesmerizing.
‘Not that I’m ready to give up my fabulous Canon equipment! I pulled that out to try my hand at surf photography, tutored by Michele Friel Almeida. During a postponement on assignment (at long last!) in Newport, RI (a story for another month!) races were canceled due to too much wind. So I ventured around Ocean Drive looking for waves, and ran into Michele. We were Facebook friends but had never met, still she kindly took me under her wing and led me to the secret surf spot. Luckily I had all my photography gear in the car!
It was a rough trek in, with my pack of equipment, but once we got there we were able to locate some of my sailing friends who were playing hooky during postponement. Our timing was perfect, with huge waves from an offshore storm and the ideal lighting. Standing on terra firma waiting for the sets and surfers was the easy part, as these skillful surfers caught monstrous wave after monstrous wave. Michele is an incredible and multi-talented photographer, and I am thankful for her kindness and coaching. You can check out her work at https://www.mistephotography.com
It was magical to have the opportunity to explore another angle of man’s interaction with the sea, and simply to experience the ocean again.
Since time immemorial, cultures around the globe have acclaimed the healing and transformational properties of water, and I certainly found it helped calm and center me during those rough times. Whatever and wherever your aquatic origins are, I hope you too have the opportunity to find solace, peace and restoration on the water. And I hope that the pages of the Ultimate Sailing Calendar help transport you there as well.
January 2021 – Carlo Borlenghi
This stunning image from Carlo Borlenghi heralds the New Year with excitement and gusto.
Taken during the Mylius Cup off the magnificent coast of Capri in buffeting breeze, it is another spectacular representation of the art of the ‘Master of Yachting Photography` [ https://www.ultimatesailing.com/blogs/news/reflections-carlo-borlenghi ] as is the image of the Volvo Ocean 65 Amber Sail, below; taken in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Oscar3 pictured at top went on to win the Mylius Cup – an invigorating four-day series designed to spotlight this elite class of high performance racing/cruising yachts, and part of the Rolex Capri Sailing Week. Oscar3 owner Aldo Parisotto, of Yacht Club Cala de' Medici, confessed the massive waves and rough sea state proved demanding, testing everyone aboard: yet they persisted and prevailed. In this shot you can see the crew hiking out and hanging on, peering through the spray and the fray seeking victory despite the challenges ahead.
Isn’t that a great analogy for where we are today? Hang on, hike out, look toward the future, and don’t give up!
If you don’t already have your 2021 Ultimate Sailing Calendar, now’s the time to jump onboard! I trust you’ll find inspiration and restoration in the 24 breathtaking images I have curated for you.
Thank you, and be well ~ Sharon
Also in News
Dog Days of Summer
Who wouldn’t want to climb aboard one of these Melges24s and enjoy the brisk spray, during these dog days of summer? The July images in the 2024 Ultimate Sailing Calendar feature the Melges24 World Championship regatta
Sardinian Rhapsody
These stunning photos are from our colleagues at Studio Borlenghi: Luca Butto’s dramatic capture of the Landmark 43 Skarp (top) and Francesco Ferri’s artistic spinnaker douse aboard the superyacht Sorceress – both photographed in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
50 Shades of Blue
+About Ultimate Sailing
Sailing is a magnificent, colorful and dramatic sport. This unique sport has many variables with the constantly changing elements, sea conditions, boats, events, competitors and locations. The challenge is to capture on film electrifying moments that take your breath away. Those moments and opportunities are very few, but when they happen... it is ultimate sailing." ~ Sharon Green
Sharon Green has been capturing electrifying images of performance sailing for more than 40 years. Her annual Ultimate Sailing Calendar, featuring the highlights of competitive sailing, is eagerly anticipated by yachting and photography enthusiasts worldwide. Sharon has been published in major boating publications, both locally and internationally, since she first took up a camera while still in high school.
The pursuit of 'Ultimate Sailing' images never seems to grow old. Four decades and I still love the challenge of creating memorable images for my clients and the calendar."
Sharon is happiest when she is on the water or hanging from a helicopter in search of the elusive image that can be called 'Ultimate Sailing'. "My greatest satisfaction is when it all comes together: the anticipation, planning, organizing, traveling and epic conditions that combine to create a thrilling photograph.
The passage of time eludes our grasp: we can only look back in awe and look forward in anticipation. Never did I expect, 40 years ago, that my vision of creating the Ultimate Sailing Calendar would endure and provide such an extraordinary life experience. boundless advancements in sailing, and concurrently radical developments in camera and photographic technology, have kept me on my toes and the years have swept by! I find myself at this landmark anniversary: humbled by your patronage and inspired by your support. To my many friends, colleagues, clients, and subjects who have sustained and fueled this endless passion for capturing the ultimate Sailing image, I extend my deepest love and gratitude.
View the images by clicking the 40th button
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Sharon Green
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