Bonnet Takes Aim and Fires
When you capture not only the moment the gunpowder ignites in the pan but also the flash as the "bullet" leaves the barrel with the pirate in perfect ...
Read more
When you capture not only the moment the gunpowder ignites in the pan but also the flash as the "bullet" leaves the barrel with the pirate in perfect silhouette ... it's an all in one shot.
Stede Bonnet, the gentleman pirate from Southport, NC, firing his pistol at the British during the Feast of the Pirates. The Feast was held on September 17, 2022 at Belville Riverwalk Park in Belville, NC.
Read less
Stede Bonnet, the gentleman pirate from Southport, NC, firing his pistol at the British during the Feast of the Pirates. The Feast was held on September 17, 2022 at Belville Riverwalk Park in Belville, NC.
Read less
Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XS
Aperture 9/1 ISO 400 Shutter 1/1000 Focal Length 53/1 
Belville, North Carolina, US
Oct, 2022Views
154
Likes
Awards
Gem Award
Peer Award
Top Ranks
Top 20 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 30 rank
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
Feast of the Pirates in Belville, NC - September 2022. The portrayal of real-life pirate, Stede Bonnet is expertly performed by Stewart Futch. Stede Bonnet, or simply Bonnet, was a member of Blackbeard's crew for a short time. There is a historical marker honoring him near Southport, NC.Time
The Feast of the Pirates opened at 10 a.m. with a "line of fire" along the boardwalk; this photo was taken during the opening volley. Cannons, pistols and blunderbuss were fired across the Cape Fear River between Belville and Wilmington, NC. Bonnet had already fired his cannon several times and had just switched to the pistol. I was given photographer's access to the firing line where I was able to capture this image of the "fire" coming out of the barrel of Bonnet's pistol. The pirates and cannoneers were helpful by suggesting different vantage points as well. But be careful - cannon fire is real. The black powder will burn if you are standing too close.Lighting
This was an outside shot so I had to battle the natural light of a North Carolina September morning against the rapid repositioning of the pirates and their action. I decided to place Bonnet in a somewhat silhouette so as to have his likeness in the picture but place more focus on the pistol fire. As the firing line was a very active scene, we did not have time to position and play with the light as much as I would have liked to.Equipment
I used my trusty Canon EOS Rebel. I cannot remember which lens I had at the time - I only have two. I didn't have a chance to set up any other equipment such as a tripod.Inspiration
I was inspired to take this photo by two things - the smell of gun smoke in the morning and the thrill of trying to capture that one perfect moment. It's so quick that you have to be fast with the finger. As a pirate enthusiast - I myself have a pirate persona (Rusty Buckles) and several different kits to wear - the smell of gun smoke and black powder truly just takes you into the moment.Editing
I cropped the original photo a small bit to take out most of the railing of the boardwalk and to try to bring Bonnet more into silhouette.In my camera bag
Honestly, my camera, the two lenses, some spare SD cards, and maybe a battery charger. I don't have a lot of equipment but I use what I have the best as I can.Feedback
Sports mode or burst shots. Press the shutter button and hold it down. Bound to catch one or two good ones. And you might even get "the one" - you know what I'm talking about, the shot that surprises even you. That split second photo that makes all the failed shots worth it.
