Travel Shots - The Person in Personality

May 2026

Hello Everyone

Are photos starting to look the same to you? With the proliferation of devices like cell phones, nearly everyone can snap a picture. This can lead to too many choices of the same subjects. To make them stand out and be unique, we must tap into our creativity. After all, isn't art fundamentally about being creative?

Difference can be many things.  Weather conditions, lighting, motion, angles to add mood and interest.  But adding personality is eye catching and one of the best tools is the person in personality - people.  People doing things, some sort of activity, a look or expression, crazy clothing or no clothing, you get the idea.  To create interest and tell the story a photo needs a subject like a paper needs a thesis. Now the viewer is looking into the image and trying to understand the action while at the same time admiring the view.

Today's images are part of a new series from Wingaersheek Beach in Gloucester MA. Notice the dog-walker in the first photo. Questions come up like; Why is she carrying one of the dogs?, Is it low tide given the to be hard pack sand?, and Why the dark water? Well it is low tide but the dark water is the deep water channel in Annisquam River as it meets the ocean.

The second shot needs a closer look. Click to Enlarge to average print size and you see a walker. "Is there a walking path out there?", "How do I get there as the view must be spectacular?" , and "Is he alone?". What is less apparent is the shot is taken from the shore at low tide using a 400 mm Zoom. The walker in the image was a complete surprise.

And in the third shot is more people in pictures. With them we have feelings of togetherness, curiosity, a mood and calm. Without them we have four or five bands of color and texture. Combine the two and you have the feelings and are looking at the image long enough to appreciate the colors and textures. People, colors, and textures were viable but not strong as stand alones. This shot (#3) was composed with intent of creating a personality that attracts attention and engages the viewer. Now the viewer has the opportunity to appreciate the photo.

For more images from the Wingaersheek shoot its under the Massachusetts section in our portfolio. Please enjoy the website and do not hesitate to contact me for additional information.

Thank You

Mike Pesaturo Photography