Rick Berk Photography

07/05/2026

Saltwater is pleased to announce that Waldoboro artist LISA KYLE will be the juror for our 4th Annual “Paint the Point” Plein Air Day on Saturday, July 18th. LIsa studied painting at Southern Methodist University, the Savannah College of Art & Design, and the Maryland Institute College of Art, and paints primarily in oils and acrylics. Our plein air day is open to artists of all abilities and includes cash prizes for the top 4 entries. Go to www.saltwaterartists.com to register and for more information

06/29/2026

On Saturday evening, I decided to head up to Camden and hike to Maiden Cliff. Once up on the cliff, you're treated to a stunning view of Megunticook Lake, and Bald Mountain in the distance. The temperatures were in the 60's and it was a beautiful evening. I reached the cliff ab out an hour before sunset, so I had some time to relax and just enjoy the view while I waited for that warm, golden light.

Maiden Cliff has a sad story attached to it. On May 6, 1864, 12-year old Elenora French was at the top of the cliff, enjoying a picnic with siblings and friends. A gust of wind took her bonnet and blew it off her head. Apparently she was unaware of how close she was to the edge, and in reaching for her bonnet, fell 300 feet. While she suffered no broken bones, there were severe internal injuries and she succumbed to them during the night.

In the years that followed, a wealthy tourist, Joseph Steams, was moved by the story and paid to have a white cross erected at the spot where Elenora fell. Over the years, that cross has been replaced, most recently in 1992 with a steel cross to better withstand the elements.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Don't forget, my 4th of July sale is on NOW! 🧨

Use code FIREWORKS to save 25% on all fine art prints. Ends Sunday at midnight.

Click the link in the comments to shop the sale! 👇

06/26/2026

While the fireworks light up the sky, the coast stays beautifully still. 🌊

Celebrate the 4th with 25% off all fine art prints — lighthouses, fog, lupine, and the wild Maine coast (and more!) waiting to hang on your wall.

Use code FIREWORKS at checkout. Offer ends midnight, July 5th. Click the link in the comments ⤵️

06/26/2026

Two new pieces have been hung at Saltwater Artists Gallery in New Harbor today. They are both framed canvases - "High Tide at Sunset" (16x24) and "Sunrise Over New Harbor" (8x24). They look stunning! I also recently added some notecards as well. If you happen to be in the area, stop by the gallery. We have 27 artists' work on display! Open 7 days from 10am-5pm.

Saltwater Artists Gallery
3056 Bristol Road, New Harbor, ME

It was great running into Jeffrey Russo Photography while I was there! Good to see you Jeff!

06/24/2026

Shot this image two years ago this week in Acadia National Park. I climbed to the top of the North Bubble in time for sunset (which was behind me), and photographed the foreground during blue hour. Then I waited a few hours for the Milky Way to move into place. The sky is the result of 20 stacked images to reduce noise. Once those are combined, I composited the sky image with the foreground image.

This is one of my favorite images. I spent about 6 hours on top of North Bubble, alone, watching the light change, the stars come out, and listening to wind blow gently. It was magical.

06/20/2026

Happy Saturday everyone! I am once again at the Saltwater Artists Gallery in New Harbor today until 5pm. Come on by and say hello, and check out some very cool art by over 25 artists! Including mine! I've just added notecards to my offerings here as well.

The address is 3056 Bristol Road, in New Harbor. We're just ¼ mile from Pemaquid Point. Come say hi!

06/19/2026

I made this image on this day in 2019 at the Bernard town landing on Mount Desert Island. The sun was setting, and we were wrapping up a sunset session of the workshop I was co-teaching when my colleague saw me focusing on this dinghy and pushed it out away from the dock. For a split second, it sat perfectly on the water, pointed straight at me, the wharf in the background stacked high with lobster traps, the warm glow in the sky reflecting on the water. The simplicity of the scene, the tranquility, makes it one of my favorite images to this day.

06/19/2026

Hey Sony shooters! My very popular Sony Alpha a7 Series: In-Depth Features online workshop with Santa Fe Workshops is back for another round. It will be held in four sessions from August 3 – 13, 2026.

This online workshop equips participants with the skills to capture stunning images using the Sony A7 series. The focus is on the camera’s advanced focus and exposure systems, covering autofocus modes, manual focus techniques, and exposure settings for perfectly balanced photos.

Here's what you'll learn:
+ Exposure system basics including modes, displays, histograms, and bracketing
+ Autofocus best practices
+ Custom settings and creative functions such as white balance, picture profiles, Pixel Shift, Dynamic Range, HDR, and Long Exposure
+ Sony flash systems, videos, and export settings

Visit the link below to learn more and register for this online workshop:
➡️

Participants learn creative and customization options of the Sony A7 series, including picture profiles, styles, and dynamic range optimization.

06/17/2026

Had a great time this past weekend with the attendees for my Springtime on the Midcoast workshop. We had some sun, some fog, and lots of flowers! Thanks to those who attended! Also special thanks to Kristen Wilkinson Photography for her help with instructing and logistics. It's always a pleasure!

Here are a few images from the weekend. Enjoy!

06/17/2026

Hey everyone! I’m at Saltwater Artists Gallery today until 5pm. The address is 3056 Bristol Road in New Harbor, just a stone’s throw from Pemaquid Point Lighthouse! Stop in and say hi!