Why do we love lighthouses?
It's difficult for me to think of another human-made object that captivates me as a subject for photography as much as lighthouses do. Often, when photographing lighthouses, the sea is also included, and it certainly doesn't bother me either. So if you love them too, come with me, let's dive deeper into the fascinating world of lighthouses.
L´Ile Louet Lighthouse in the Bay of Morlaix, Finistère.
First some good old basics: Lighthouses are tall structures equipped with bright lights and foghorns. They are strategically placed in vital or perilous locations, such as rocky cliffs, sandy shoals on land, reefs in the sea, and entrances to harbors and bays. Their primary purpose is to warn mariners about potential hazards and assist ships in safely entering or exiting harbours. Their messages are clear and direct: STAY AWAY, DANGER, BEWARE! or COME THIS WAY!
While lighthouses continue to provide guidance to seafarers, modern technology has introduced several more precise navigational aids. The Global Positioning System (GPS), NOAA's nautical charts, illuminated navigation markers, buoys, radar beacons, and various other aids to navigation play a pivotal role in alerting mariners to hazardous areas and directing them toward secure harbours.
Pointe a l'Aigle Lighthouse, in Plérin, Côtes-d'Armor.
I have been thinking why lighthouses are so fascinating to us, and there isn't just one answer - on a symbolic level, there are many reasons why they have fascinated us throughout history.
I personally see the same fascinating melancholy in lighthouses as in abandoned buildings. Their golden age has passed and all that remains are memories which fades slowly but inevitably. Lighthouses tell us stories from another time, a time of real adventures.
Today they are more a piece of history than a part of the present but they still continue to represent various concepts and values. Lighthouses symbolize, among other things, the following concepts:
Strength: Lighthouses often symbolize strength due to their enduring and resilient nature, withstanding harsh weather conditions and providing guidance to sailors.
Safety: They represent safety by guiding ships away from dangerous areas and towards safer waters.
Danger: Lighthouses can also symbolize danger when they warn sailors of nearby hazards, such as rocks or shallow waters.
Hope: Lighthouses are seen as beacons of hope, especially in challenging or stormy conditions, offering a guiding light to those in need.
Navigation: They are key symbols of navigation, helping ships find their way in the vast expanse of the sea.
Religious Faith: In some cultures, lighthouses are associated with religious faith and spirituality, representing divine guidance.
Guiding Light: Lighthouses are often seen as guiding lights, providing direction and clarity in uncertain situations.
Isolation: Due to their remote locations, lighthouses can symbolize isolation and solitude.
Steadfastness: Lighthouses stand tall and unwavering, representing steadfastness and determination.
Vigilance: They symbolize vigilance by keeping a constant watch and alerting sailors to potential dangers.
Alertness: Lighthouses remind us to stay alert and vigilant in our own journeys, just as they do for mariners.
The End of a Journey: Lighthouses mark the end of a journey or a successful arrival at a destination, offering a sense of accomplishment.
As we see the meaning of lighthouses is diverse both in the history of shipping and in our wider cultural and emotional landscapes. It's fortunate that we cherish them so much, I believe that is the reason they will always remain a significant part of coastal landscapes worldwide.
Pontusval Lighthouse, Brignogan-Plages, Finistere.
It's incredibly fascinating to photograph the lighthouse at sunset, capturing the moment until its light comes on as darkness falls, and it assumes its purpose. Equally enthralling is photographing the lighthouse at dawn, witnessing its light extinguish as the morning grows bright - an emblem of another night it has watched over and guarded.
I won't go deeper than the lighthouses themselves into the topic of lightkeepers in this post, but I can say that they were a species of their own. With a quick Google search, you can find some really fascinating stories and you can get an idea of the challenges and dangers associated with the profession. It would have been awesome to be a lighthouse keeper!
If you're interested to explore lighthouses, these countries are known for having a multitude of them: the United States, Canada, France, Norway, Australia, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and New Zealand. French Brittany indeed has its fair share of lighthouses; official figures vary between 50 and 80. Some lists do not take into account inactive lighthouses, or they include only the larger ones.
In addition to lighthouses I also have a passion for maps and I firmly believe that every great adventure begins with one! So I've crafted a map that features all the lighthouses of Brittany that I've discovered, totaling 116 lighthouses. And if you want You can download it for free from the button below.
So far, I've had the opportunity to visit and photograph eight lighthouses here in Brittany. But believe me, there are plans! The nearest one, Mogueriec's lighthouse, is only a few kilometers away from our house. I've visited it at least ten times, capturing it in various lighting conditions and at both high and low tides. While I typically prefer a slightly cloudy sunrise during low tide, but my favorite photo so far (below) was taken on a cloudy evening at high tide.
Mogueriec Lighthouse, Mogueriec, Finistère.