Thousand Islands Life, Some Thoughts on River Photography

The River is calling us after a very long “old-fashioned” winter, and we thought it might be helpful and encouraging to TI Life readers to share some of our thoughts on photography that we keep in mind as we venture out. Sometimes our points might overlap because we have talked about all of this over several years. We hope readers find the repetition enlightening and inspirational. There are endless variables affecting our photography as it evolves: the technical and composition aspects; the surroundings and the creatures that inhabit them; the weather, the light, the morning news . . . All have an impact on what makes us push the button on our cameras. The entries in the 2025 Thousand Islands Life Photo Contest were outstanding, and we sincerely hope that this article encourages even more River photographers to share their images in the 2026 contest later this year.

Larry: Think playfully

An overriding aspect to my photographic process is that it is much closer to play than work. I'm not sure what gets me out of bed before sunrise. Is it the thought of a morning row on the River or photographing that elusive eagle? Probably a combination of both.

I have some routes that I row most mornings; there isn't much need to go very far. I have come to understand the light angles and where certain birds like to hang out in my “neighborhood.” It feels like a game to anticipate where birds might be and where they will go. I like to photograph birds facing low angle light. This provides a catch light in the eyes; it also illuminates under the wings. When shooting later in the day, the high angle of the sun produces deep shadows under the wings. In this image of a common tern, there is nice morning light under its wings and a clear catch light in its eyes.

A common tern photographed at 8 am. [Photo by © Larry Asam]

Erin: Chase the light

By “chasing the light,” I simply mean pay attention to where the sun hits scenes at different times of day and make a habit of looking for the play of sun and shadow. How can you make yourself more aware of where the sunlight cascades on interesting items in your cottage or home on the River? What is happening with the light on the River, in a nearby forest trail, on a barn or abandoned house, or on an island? What do the light and shadows do to heighten a scene's drama, intrigue, or allure? My image of Castle Francis, a small island off Thousand Island Park, was taken around noon on a gray day with light snow, which made the brief spotlight of sun on the island all the more dramatic.

Chasing the light is often a matter of being in the right place at the right time. [Photo by © Erin Greene]

Larry: Experiment with exposure compensation

I love experimenting with the light on the edge of shadows. This can trick even the most sophisticated camera light meters, so it takes some practice. A good place to start is by brightening or darkening an image via the exposure compensation button found on most cameras. (Google how to use exposure compensation when taking photographs. There are numerous articles and videos on the subject.) Also don't forget the lens hood or shoot from a shady spot to avoid unintentional lens flare in the image when the sun is behind the subject. This swan had just come out of the deep shadows. I added about +2 exposure compensation to brighten the swan.

A mute swan on the edge of the deep shadows. [Photo by © Larry Asam]

Erin: After you capture that sunset, turn away from it

We are all drawn to River sunsets. They are stunning and provide nightly entertainment with vibrant, dramatic colors. Want another kind of visual drama? Don't forget to turn your back on the sunset to also pay attention to how the sun is bathing the landscape or highlighting cottages. Pay special attention to how the dying light of sunset alters and deepens any scene. For a huge challenge, try capturing that iconic and often photographed scene in a way that you have not seen before.

After catching that sunset, turn around to see how the setting sun's light affects scenery. [Photo by © Erin Greene]

Larry: Fog is a photographer's friend because it works as nature's Photoshop

I love how fog can isolate a subject and hide any modern day distractions without using any editing tools. Fog can add a timeless quality to an image. With my Grenell Island shoreline image, that April morning was too foggy to venture out, but the fog focused my attention on the shore details.

The Grenell Island shoreline shrouded in fog. [Photo by © Larry Asam]

Erin: Look for textures

What is it about the scene that makes it almost touchable? How can you convey that tactile sensation to viewers of the image? This region has ancient rock formations, weathered barns and boathouses, beaches strewn with current-delivered surprises, tree bark textures (birch tree bark often has traits that make especially interesting abstract landscapes), and so many other scenes that can become interesting stand-alone abstract images or can add texture when overlaid with another image. In fact, I collect texture images on both my Nikon cameras for in-camera overlays and on my phone, where I create image overlays using the Snapseed app.

Palpable textures, such as reeds and ripples, make a scene come alive. [Photo by © Erin Greene]

Larry: Pre-visualize a scene

It can be fun to pre-visualize an image. When I'm riding around during the day, I often see something interesting and try to imagine when the light would be best for a photograph. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it's a learning experience. But it's worth a try. During the winter a few years ago I was falling asleep and started thinking of a potential drone shot with Grenell Island a little left of center and the surrounding islands. It wasn't until the following September that all the variables fell into place. Here is the result.

Grenell Island is left of center, looking upriver from above Wellesley Island's Crystal Bay. [Photo by © Larry Asam]

Erin: Slow down

This region has so many wonderful trails and communities to explore, with state parks, Thousand Islands Land Trust properties, and idyllic villages full of scenery and fascinating details that define the River. Take your time as you stroll along, looking beyond favored iconic scenes (bridges, lighthouses, castles) to seek intimate landscapes and tableaus that reveal themselves if we just move more deliberately and look carefully enough.

A slow stroll can often reveal a perfectly composed River community scene. [Photo by © Erin Greene]

Larry: Be prepared

Debra Munn's GANAN-ball has stuck with me since the 2025 TI Life Photo Contest. There was certainly an element of pre-visualization going on a few moments before capturing these boys jumping in the water. Debra had to anticipate a fast shutter speed to stop the action and visualize how that low perspective would utilize that blue sky. Making sure all your settings are appropriate for the conditions and the action you hope to capture is your key to success. (Easier said than done . . .)

Erin: Get closer to the action or subject

My husband and I go out in our St. Lawrence skiff with an electric trolling motor. These excursions provide me with a silent approach to riverside wildlife and place me right on top of the water for a perspective not available in our Lyman outboard. Debra Munn's silver-winning image from the 2025 TI Life Photo Contest is a great example of this concept. She captured three youngsters jumping into the River just in front of her and slightly above her. By somehow placing herself at River level, she takes viewers directly into the action. It is a truly dynamic photo! Got a kayak? Wakeboard? How might you shift your perspective to almost become part of the scene? One note about “getting close” to wildlife, as a skiff ride allowed me to do with a great blue heron in the narrows between Murray Isle and Wellesley Island, be sure to do so with respect by using a telephoto lens and being careful not to disturb the subject's natural behavior.

Larry: Stop looking at your last photo

Yes, I take a quick peek to check the exposure, then I try to turn my attention back to the surroundings so I'm ready for anything. Sometimes the process reminds me of watching baseball. There is nothing going on, then suddenly there is a triple play and it's game over. A few moments before I took the photo below I had gotten a nice image of another eagle. Then its mate came charging out of the woods without any warning, providing me with this dynamic image.

Erin: Join a photography community

Some communities have photography groups we can join for meet-ups, such as the Syracuse Photography Group on Facebook. The Thousand Islands Arts Center (https://tiartscenter.org/) offers summer photography courses and has a juried exhibition that welcomes local photographers. With courses through Light Atlas Creative (https://www.lightatlascreative.com/), participants become members of guide Laura Valenti's international photographer community. Another international photography community that is free to join is A Year With My Camera (https://ayearwithmycamera.com/); AYWMC teaches the basics of camera use, leading to confidence and proficiency, all while being supported by fellow photographic travelers. There is profound inspiration and encouragement to be found in joining such groups, and they will also lead you to professionals and talented amateur photographers to follow on Instagram. Hopefully, our article provides some food for thought. The 2026 TI Life Photo Contest will be here all too soon, but the images we capture this summer will last (if we back them up). When in doubt – push the button. You might be surprised. So, as soon as you can and no matter the weather, get in or on or by the St. Lawrence River and show us the River as you know it!

By Larry Asam and Erin Greene

Larry Asam has lived in and around Stowe, VT, since 1974, where he taught skiing, then spent several winters at Snowbird, UT, continuing to teach skiing. In the 1990s, he started photographing Vermont weddings. By 1997, wedding photography became his full-time occupation, and this continued for almost 15 years. Now his photography is mainly focused on nature, old boats and the people he encounters. Since 2014, Larry and his wife, Kym, have been part of the Grenell Island community. He is also the current vice president for the Thousand Islands Chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society. His photo gallery can be viewed at www.RiverGloss.com. Larry can be reached at Larry@LarryAsam.com

Erin McCarthy Greene is a documentary and fine art photographer who explores and captures the Thousand Islands of northern New York State and any other place she travels. She is a former English teacher, and in January 2025, she retired from the Thousand Islands Sun newspaper, Alexandria Bay, after more than a decade there as an editor. She is an affiliate photographer with The Tilly Project (https://thetillyproject.org/), which offers end-of-life portrait sessions for family pets, including large animals and exotics. Erin and her husband, Richard, live year-round in Thousand Island Park on Wellesley Island. She can be reached at emccarthygreene@gmail.com. Her work can be viewed www.erinmccarthygreenephotography.com and on Instagram at @emccarthygreene1.