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.

Pigeon Cove, 1884

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
A very nice couple from Melrose stopped in for a second time today, and bought a Rockport mug. "We're renting in Rockport for the winter," they said. Where? Pigeon Cove. I just happened to be framing this photo at the time. They're now on the gallery mailing list for future events. They love it here. Who wouldn't? Heaven on earth.
A very nice couple from Melrose stopped in for a second time today, and bought a Rockport mug. “We’re renting in Rockport for the winter,” they said. Where? Pigeon Cove. I just happened to be framing this photo at the time. They’re now on the gallery mailing list for future events. They love it here. Who wouldn’t? Heaven on earth.

Welcome Felicia!

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Joey C, creator of GMG, has given his sister Felicia authorship on the blog and the 10am daily slot. That's just after mine, and I love it. I'm sure we'll get so many ideas for cooking, because that's what she's all about. Felicia always brings the most generous and delicious dishes to events. This photo is from the Bloody Mary contest. L-R: James Eves, Karen Ristuben, Kathy Downer, and Ed Collard (all honorable judges), and Felicia.
Joey C, creator of GMG, has given his sister Felicia authorship on the blog and the 10am daily slot. That’s just after mine, and I love it. I’m sure we’ll get so many ideas for cooking, because that’s what she’s all about. Felicia always brings the most generous and delicious dishes to events. This photo is from the Bloody Mary contest. L-R: James Eves, Karen Ristuben, Kathy Downer, and Ed Collard (all honorable judges), Felicia (orange sweater), and Donna.

The Magnet

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
This summer, a guy came into my gallery wearing the GMG hat. He was pretty cool. I went outside to photograph him and his dog for GMG, but in no time a Brazilian woman walked into the shot. He gave me this look of: "Hey, this just happens." What is the magnet here? Is it the guy, the dog, the shiny green truck, the woman, or the hat? You tell me! After a few minutes, she walked on. I think we've got the beginnings of a short story here.
This summer, a guy came into my gallery wearing the GMG hat. He was pretty cool. I went outside to photograph him and his dog for GMG, but in no time a Brazilian woman walked into the shot. He gave me this knowing look of: “Hey, this just happens.” What is the magnet here? Is it the guy, the dog, the shiny green truck, the woman, or the hat? You tell me! After a few minutes, she walked on. I think we’ve got the beginnings of a short story here. I don’t know who’s happier, the guy or the dog.

The Dry Salvages

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
The Dry Salvages off Rockport had caught yet another victim - the F/V Racketeer. Despite the best efforts of salvage companies and the USCG, the Racketeer was taken off the rocks and claimed by the sea. This was unusual weather, and the captain of the whale watch boat warned passengers not to touch the metal railings because of lightning. A famous poem was written in 1941 by Gloucester's TS Eliot about the Dry Salvages. He's very difficult to read and understand. But here's what his poem means to me: "In life, we'll all run aground sooner or later. Let's do right by our fellow human beings while we can, before the Salvages claim us too."
The Dry Salvages off Rockport had caught yet another victim – the F/V Racketeer. Despite the best efforts of salvage companies and the USCG, the Racketeer was taken off the rocks and claimed by the sea a year later. This was unusual weather, and the captain of the whale watch boat warned passengers not to touch the metal railings because of lightning.
A famous poem was written in 1941 by Gloucester’s TS Eliot about the Dry Salvages. He’s very difficult to read and understand. But here’s what his poem means to me: “In life, we’ll all run aground sooner or later. Let’s do right by our fellow human beings while we can, before the Salvages claim us too.”

Cod Fishing Part III

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Anyone recognize this fishing boat? It's steel, medium sized, and probably out of Gloucester.
Anyone recognize this fishing boat? It’s steel, medium sized, and probably out of Gloucester.

The decks are cleared, the checker boards put aside, and the barrels are lashed down. Heading home in some heavy seas. Photos by James H. Goodwin.
The decks are cleared, the checker boards put aside, and the barrels are lashed down. Heading home in some heavy seas. Photos by James H. Goodwin.

Cod Fishing, circa 1950 Part II

Posted on by Fredrik Bodin
Once the cod are aboard the fishing vessel and out of the net, it's time to sort them. All photos by James H. Goodwin.
Once the cod are aboard the fishing vessel and out of the net, it’s time to sort them. All photos by James H. Goodwin.
The fish are sorted into what were called checker boxes, to separate the cod by size and quality. Todays fishermen uses boxes or totes. Careful packing of the fish with ice is important to avoid physical damage and spoilage, in order to get the best price.
The fish are sorted into what were called checker boxes, to separate the cod by size and quality. Todays fishermen use boxes or totes. Careful packing of the fish with ice is important to avoid physical damage and spoilage, in order to get the best price. Another tow is already underway as the cod are still being sorted.

Three men clean fish and one mends a net. Almost waist high in fish.
Three men clean fish and one mends a net. Almost waist high in fish.