Arguably the signature lighthouse of Maine, the Portland Head Light is actually located outside of Portland on Cape Elizabeth. The light was initially commissioned by George Washington in 1787. The light stands 80 feet above the land and 101 feet above the water. Edward Rowe Snow wrote about the light: “Portland Head and its light seem to symbolize the state of Maine—rocky coast, breaking waves, sparkling water and clear, pure salt air.” The lighthouse is surrounded by a huge park and when I visited it the day before to scout, it was swarming with people. I was sure that I would not be alone the next morning when I went to shoot the light at sunrise. Much to my surprise, there was only other person at the lighthouse. As a result, I had the run of the park and shot the light from all angles. This composition is the classic perspective of the light. The sunrise was beautiful and it was very serene except for the fog horn which blasts every 15 seconds 24 by 7. If you look past the lighthouse, you will see a smaller lighthouse in the distance which is known as the Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse.