|  09/01/03 Photographer Cliff
Wassmann’s photograph of the Brig
Pilgrim under full sail has been chosen for the 2003 Toshiba
Tall Ships Festival poster. Taken in between the mainland
and Anacapa Island with a late afternoon light illuminating
the sails it captures the romance and majesty of the era
of the tall ships. “If it wasn’t in color, you’d
never be able to tell that this image was taken in the 20th
century”, says Wassmann. “It has that classic
look that you see in old maritime paintings.”
And it wasn’t an easy shot to get either. Wassmann
was a guest on one of the Pilgrim’s yearly sails out
to the Channel Islands. While crossing the channel
he realized the light was perfect on the brig and it would
make a great photo. There was only one problem though. He
was on the ship and the shot he wanted had to be taken from
out in the ocean. It takes an enormous effort to stop the
vessel moving under full sail, drop the dingy, and then start
moving again. “I figured the captain would say no but
I asked anyway!” says Wassmann.
“I think even captain (Jim Wehan) realized that it
would make a special shot so he agreed and despite the groans
of the crew ordered them to get me off, then put the Brig
back at full sail so I could get the image. They ended up
furling the sails and dropping them three times because our
small boat could not keep up with the Pilgrim under full
sail so we would move in front it in our boat while it was
stopped and I shot like crazy as it barreled past us.”
The use of the image on this year’s poster is fitting
as this year the Pilgrim is dockside while her volunteer
crew makes repairs. The hope to raise $200,000 and have her
seaworthy by next year.
Wassmann, 45, makes his living as a travel photographer
and painter. He lives and has his studio in Dana Point and
has been photographing the Tall Ships since the early 90’s.
He has photographed nearly all the vessels that sail the
Pacific coast and even encountered a Tall Ship in Antarctica
on a journey there in 1998. His images can be seen on the
festival’s
web site: www.tallshipsfestival.com and his own: www.artseek.com/wfa.
He will also have a booth at the Tall Ships Festival Art
Show where he will be donating a portion of his sales to
the Pilgrim Restoration Fund. Click here to view large size
image |
