I drove past this stack of crab pots day after day during the winter of 2024.  My rental home was nearby and this area was a frequent way point for me to get eyes on the current environmental conditions.  The visual pattern and colors of these stacked crab pots always piqued my interest and curiosity.  Why the color disparity?  Did different combinations attract different catch?  The pots were stacked near the boat ramp at Washington Baum Bridge and the Roanoke Sound.  I’m presuming that winter waters are not good for this type of crabbing, thus pulling and stacking the gear?

This is where I definitely diverge from Fine Art Photographers.  Curiosity leads my lens, not an aesthetic appeal or commercial application.  Anything can be beautiful to me.  If something is interesting, I will photograph it.  Art is not my desired outcome:  learning and growing and connecting is.  Art is something, for me, that is completely out of my control or my conern.  It’s irrelevant.

A bit of light research found that North Carolina has a state law requiring a no-potting period from December 15th to February 7th each winter.  Question answered.  As to the color, I found several research studies done where color did measurably impact quantity and quality of catch.  I wonder what the locals believe to be the best combination for working the waters of the Outer Banks?

Camera:  Nikon D850
Lens:  Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 @190mm
Tripod:  Really Right Stuff TVC-33

Date taken:  Janaury 24, 2024
Settings:  f13.0, 1/3 second, iso 64