Photo Spot Summary
Country: United States
Category: Architecture
State: North Carolina
City: Manteo
GPS Latitude: 35.908207
GPS Longitude: -75.668289
Directions
Follow the Google Maps directions which will lead you to a free, public parking lot. Once parked simply walk out onto the dock and you can head right up to the lighthouse.
Photo Spot Details
The Roanoke Lighthouse is a decommissioned screw-pile lighthouse. A very unique style, looking more like a cottage than a typical pillar-style lighthouse. The coastal dock and walk-up dock provide a number of vantage points, but in my opinion a dead-on shot is the most dramatic. Be sure to spend some time before or after in the nice little town of Manteo, which is walkable from the parking lot.
Best Times & Gear
The lighthouse is west-facing, which means it will be silhouetted on a sunrise shot, and illuminated by a sunset shot. This shot was taken during sunrise so a bit of dodging was done to even the exposure. I’d recommend a stormy sunset for a promising first time shooting this location. Be sure to get there early so you can setup dead-center before someone else. A dead-center shot can only accommodate one photographer so if someone is already setup then take some angled shots from the coastal dock.