Author: Fredrik Bodin

Fred Bodin is a photographer who owns a gallery on Main Street in downtown Gloucester, MA. The gallery features Fred's land and seascapes, as well as historic images printed from the old negatives.

Good Harbor Beach Neighborhood

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Good Harbor Beach as it looked in 1939. The houses and the bridge are pretty much the same. The snow - well warmer weather is around the corner. Donna Ardizonni was talking about her desire to go to the beach when it warms up. I hope she's patient!
Good Harbor Beach as it looked in 1939. The houses and the bridge are pretty much the same. The snow – well warmer weather is around the corner. Donna Ardizzoni was talking about her desire to go to the beach when it warms up. I hope she’s patient!

Appreciate the Silence, Cherish the Sounds

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
When I go to bed, I don't count sheep. I count the seconds until I hear a human-made sound. It takes a while, but I'm usually asleep quickly. That's my silence. At dawn, the sparrows in our hedge awaken and start tweeting. Then our parakeets respond in their own bird language. These are the sounds I cherish in the morning.
When I go to bed, I don’t count sheep. I count the seconds until I hear a human-made sound. It takes a while, but I’m usually asleep quickly. That’s my silence.
At dawn, the sparrows in our hedge awaken and start tweeting. Then our parakeets respond in their own bird language. These are the sounds I cherish in the morning.

Ready to Ship

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
After salting, the cod was packed into wooden boxes to ship just about anywhere in the world. To learn more about cod and the Gloucester fishery, read Mark Kurlansky's excellent book: "Cod, a Biography of the Fish that Changed the World." The Bookstore on Main Street has it, and I've seen salted cod in local supermarkets.
After salting, the cod was packed into wooden boxes to ship just about anywhere in the world. To learn more about cod and the Gloucester fishery, read Mark Kurlansky’s excellent book: “Cod, a Biography of the Fish that Changed the World.” The Bookstore on Main Street has it, and I’ve seen salted cod in local supermarkets.

The Flake Yard, Rocky Neck

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
These fish fillets are drying in the open air on Rocky Neck. They don't rot because they've been salted. People have asked me why the seagulls aren't feasting on this buffet, and I've heard two answers: The fish are too salty for the gulls, and maybe it's the guys standing around with shotguns. I believe the first theory. Please inform us if you know!
These fish fillets are drying in the open air on Rocky Neck. They don’t rot because they’ve been salted. People have asked me why the seagulls aren’t feasting on this buffet, and I’ve heard two answers: The fish are too salty for the gulls, and maybe it’s the guys standing around with shotguns. I believe the first theory. Please inform us if you know!

Salt Barque, Gloucester, 1912

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
The Italian salt barque Nostra Signora del Boschetto drying her sails. When Gloucester could not make enough salt for our fleet, we imported it from Europe.
The Italian salt barque Nostra Signora del Boschetto drying her sails. When Gloucester could not make enough salt for our fleet, we imported it from Europe.

Fish Processing, circa 1920

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
These men on Rocky Neck are cleaning the catch and perhaps salting it. The fish look like sole to me. Notice the guy still wearing part of his WW1 uniform. My grandfather fought in that war, and came back from the trenches of France with a Purple Heart, USMC.
These men on Rocky Neck are cleaning the catch and perhaps salting it. The fish look like sole to me. Notice the guy still wearing part of his WWI uniform. My grandfather fought in that war, and came back from the trenches of France with a Purple Heart, USMC.

Here We Go Again!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Winter View From Charles Cleaves' Attic, circa 1900. At 5pm, it just started snowing on Main Street, and the plows are out. There is a parking ban on the streets of the City of Gloucester.
Winter View From Charles Cleaves’ Attic in Rockport, circa 1900. At 5pm, it just started snowing on Main Street, and the plows are out. There is a parking ban on the streets of the City of Gloucester.

Haystacks

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Haystacks are common wherever hay is grown. The purpose is to to let the hay dry in open air, and not become moist and rot. These haystacks were photographed by Gloucester's Charles E. Dennison. I think he was inspired by Monet's famous Haystacks series of oil paintings. From what I know of Dennison, the photo was taken in the North Shore area. He was also a painter. By chance, I was browsing Main Street Arts and Antiques on Main Street. There on the wall was a painting of haystacks by Charles E. Dennison! It was based on this photo. I bought it for a few million dollars less than a Monet. There are still haystacks along Route 133 between Essex and Ipswich. Get some shots while you can.
Haystacks are common wherever hay is grown. The purpose is to to let the hay dry in open air, and not become moist and rot. These haystacks were photographed by Gloucester’s Charles E. Dennison. I think he was inspired by Monet’s famous Haystacks series of oil paintings. From what I know of Dennison, the photo was taken in the North Shore area. He was also a painter. By chance, I was browsing Main Street Arts and Antiques on Main Street. There on the wall was a painting of haystacks by Charles E. Dennison! It was based on this photo. I bought it for a few million dollars less than a Monet. There are still haystacks along Route 133 between Essex and Ipswich. Get some shots while you can.

Farewell Good Friend

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Last Monday, January 13th, we lost a good friend, Chip Norton. I rowed with Chip for 3 or 4 years, and he was a good friend of the gallery, as well as Good Morning Gloucester. My heart goes out to his family. Services are to be held on Monday, January 20, at the First Congregational Church of Rockport at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. Flowers may be sent to the church prior to the service. The photo is of Chip at one of the last July 4th Lanesville Parades. He was a great guy.
Last Monday, January 13th, we lost a good friend, Chip Norton. I rowed with Chip for 3 or 4 years, and he was a good friend of the gallery, as well as Good Morning Gloucester. My heart goes out to his family. Services are to be held on Monday, January 20, at the First Congregational Church of Rockport at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. Flowers may be sent to the church prior to the service. The photo is of Chip at one of the last July 4th Lanesville Parades. He was a great guy.

Here’s Chip back in 2009 in the oar shed at Maritime Gloucester-

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Folly Cove, One of Our Many Treasures

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
I took a short drive with my camera around sunset. Folly Cove Always looks great, but for some reason is difficult to photograph. But I pulled over anyway and took this picture. In the summer, the sun sets over Ipswich Bay at the Lobster Pool http://www.lobsterpoolrestaurant.com/main/index.php It's the only place other than Key West that the customers stop eating, stand up, and applaud the sunset.
I took a short drive with my camera around sunset. Folly Cove Always looks great, but for some reason is difficult to photograph. But I pulled over anyway and took this picture. In the summer, the sun sets over Ipswich Bay at the Lobster Pool http://www.lobsterpoolrestaurant.com/main/index.php It’s the only place other than Key West that the customers stop eating, stand up, and applaud the sunset.
As I was making a few photographs of the sunset over Folly Cove, I heard a babbling brook. It must have been the snow melt from across the road and the quietness of the season. I saw and photographed another angle of this that included a length of silver ribbon entangled in the bush. It made me think of all the wonderful times I've had there with my late parents, my sister (Painter Barb), and now Janet. I think of all the "eat in the rough" memorable occasions that others have had at the Lobster Pool. It's very special.
As I was making a few photographs of the sunset over Folly Cove, I heard a babbling brook. It must have been the snow melt from across the road and the quietness of the season. I saw and photographed another angle of this that included a length of silver ribbon entangled in the bush. It made me think of all the wonderful times I’ve had there with my late parents, my sister (Painter Barb), and now Janet. I also think of all the “eat in the rough” memorable occasions that others have had at the Lobster Pool. It’s very special.

Look Who’s 80 This Month!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
It's Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup, sold since 1934. In 2013, 200 million cans sold in this country.
It’s Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, sold since 1934. In 2013, 200 million cans sold in this country.
Andy Warhol designed can.
Andy Warhol designed can.
This is Dr. John Dorrance President of Campbell's Soup since 1914, who developed the formula for the soup.
This is Dr. John Dorrance, President of Campbell’s Soup since 1914, who developed the formula for the soup.

Why bring up Dr. John Dorrance? He owned this house on the Back Shore. It was called Twin Light Manor, and later the Ocean View Inn, unfortunately now in foreclosure. I like the Chicken Noodle Soup, it's just a little too salty for me.
Why bring up Dr. John Dorrance? He owned this house on the Back Shore. It was called the Dorrance house, Twin Light Manor, and later the Ocean View Inn, unfortunately now in foreclosure. I like the Chicken Noodle Soup, it’s just a little too salty for me.