Bass Harbor Lighthouse
Acadia National Park, ME
BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF BASS HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE
The Bass Harbor Head Light is one of the most famous landmarks of Acadia National Park and is perhaps the most photographed lighthouse in the state of Maine. This classic brick structure (built in 1858) looks over the southern most point in Acadia (just south of the town of Bass Harbor) and is a must see when visiting Acadia National Park.
This is a wonderful place to visit and photograph. However, like many iconic places, this location can be challenging as the spot upon which you must stand to get the shot is rocky, slippery, crowded and directly next to the ocean. For sunset - arrive early, be patient, bring only the minimum equipment needed and enjoy the majesty of this great place.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
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I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2.5 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The hike from the parking area to the location of this shot is an easy 100 yd walk. However, the location you are standing on is a series of jagged rocks, next to the ocean in an area about 20 ft x 30 ft. Movement can be challenging and a fall could be painful.
The Bass Harbor Lighthouse is a beautiful location to photograph and by searching for images of this location on the internet, you will find different perspectives. The composition and perspective changes dramatically depending on where you stand in relation to the large boulder at the bottom of the steps. The depth, amount of ocean, amount of rock and dimension of the lighthouse is completely different by simply moving a few feet from the top of the rock to down below, behind it, or to either side.
To find your preferred composition, I WOULD STRONGLY suggest arriving several hours before sunset, before the sunset crowd shows up, and try out each of the different spots along the coast line. Don’t assume the best composition is on top of the rock!
As you will read below under “Number of Other Photographers to Expect”, there is a very good chance that every inch of the rock, and surrounding area will be occupied with a tripod.
I have seen many images of the Bass Harbor Lighthouse using lens ranging from ultra wide to a mid compression. I would bring a 16-35mm lens if you have it. The above shot was taken at 24mm.
Sea Level Ft. Elevation
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Detailed Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Required Permits
KMZ Trail File
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Current Weather
Lodging & Camping
Area Guides and Workshops
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LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
