Richard Heiniger - Watersound, Florida 2018

Recently, Debbie and I drove to Watersound, Florida to visit our good friends Bob and Linda Brandom at their winter home. We were captivated by the beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Watersound itself is tucked safely behind amazing sand dunes which offer natural protection from wind and surge should it ever come, but at the same time the homes are only steps (via boardwalk) to the glorious gulf beaches.

Bob is also a photographer with a natural instinct for composition. One of our projects was to create a gallery for him at the entrance of their home, using his photography taken in the region and my print shop. We thought it turned out great. I posted a photo of it below!

But let's talk about watercolors! I was inspired by Janet Suther's Vintage California prints she brought to me for reproduction. They were originally produced about the turn of the century (1900 - 1905) and were black and white images later painted with watercolor by hand. What an idea!

I decided to try my hand at that technique using the tools we have today. That is to take the raw photograph, strip the color out of it creating a black and white. Then adding various shades of color back in. There was a lot of trial and error for me. It's difficult, for example, to color only blades of grass where another color of sand is right behind it. But, I finally worked out some techniques. So here are several examples of "modern watercolor" images which I enjoyed doing and I hope you enjoy as well.

"Watersound" (Watercolor) - Florida - 2018

Aspect Ratio 2:3

Note: This photograph was taken at sunset so the setting sun is illuminating the homes and boardwalk. Subtle color was added to a pure black and white image to accent the signature elements of this community, the vegetative cover, sand dunes, boardwalk and beach homes.

"Wateround Beach" (Watercolor) - Florida - 2018

Aspect Ratio 2:3

Note: This was a sunset photograph.

"Aqua" (Watercolor) - Florida - 2018

Aspect Ratio 2:3

Note: This was taken at mid day. The high sun captured the aqua color of the water where the sand bottom was shallow. I decided to watercolor this photograph with the same aqua color in the sky as was in the water.

"Grayton Beach" (Watercolor) - Florida - 2018

Aspect Ratio 1:1

"Earth Shadow" (Watercolor - Florida 2018

Aspect Ratio 2:1 Panorama

Note: This image was taken pre-dawn. The moon is setting and the sun has not risen yet from behind the camera. One can clearly see the shadow of the earth in the sky below the moon. This only exists for a few short minutes as the sun then rises over the horizon to enlighten the entire sky.

The Brandom Gallery!