Abstract

A tree along the nature trail at West Shore Community College stood out from the others because of the artful pattern of fungus on it.

Tonight we played indoor laser tag at AJ's Family Fun Center in Ludington during Business After Hours. I quickly realized that my photo of the day for the 365 Project was going to be made during one of the laser tag games. When I clicked the shutter, my flash went off and then I zoomed my lens in and out for 10 seconds. F2.8 at 10.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Seeing the mysterious blue ice in Michigan never gets old. Rachel spotted this ice as we were driving home on US-31 near Petoskey. We had a lot of fun exploring the mini-ice caves and finding blue ice to photograph.

A section of the starboard side of the carferry Spartan forms the backdrop for wind-blown dune grass and snow. I was looking for detail shots on a Sunday afternoon drive when this one leaped out at me. F3.5 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The late Morgan Cartier was a huge fan of the Ludington State Park. His ancestors were lumber barons in the area and they were instrumental in helping make the Ludington area what it is today. Morgan was also fascinated with landscape and nature photography. After his death, Morgan's wife Georgette generously gave most of his camera gear to my dad and me. I took this photo with a lens and tripod that belonged to Morgan. We will forever be grateful for Georgette for her valuable gift.

My daughter Julia and I went for a Sunday drive in my truck looking for photographs today. She is getting good at pointing out things that catch her eye. She asked me to drive closer to the Spartan so she could get a better look at the carferry. Little did Julia and I know that my dad, her "Poppy," was photographing near the Spartan 30 minutes earlier. F9.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

The ice has melted today on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Glen Haven. I hike back and forth along the rocky shore in search of the most colorful interesting rock I can find. This one is it; now for just the right moment with a wave washing over and swirling around it.

The light has been great since before sunrise today and I have made several good images already. Now at 4:00 P.M. I see the most unique view I have discovered today. Never pass up a good cloud; this one looks delicately different. F5.6 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

We love including diagonal lines and shapes in our photographs. Angles were everywhere as the ice was breaking up on a sunny March afternoon on Betsie Bay in Frankfort, Michigan.

Most of the time I really do not like the looks of snow fences, especially in my photographs. However, the shadows they cast on the sand and snow can be a fascinating subject to photograph. F11.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 34 mm

The kids and I watched this moose traverse the blue starry night! Actually, I was watching a movie with the kids when this night scene came on. I thought it would make a cool backdrop to a moose statue that lives on our windowpane.

My dad and I study a lot of different photographers and their work. Jim Brandenburg is a photographer I admire. Jim's work has a unique "look and feel" that inspires me. While I was making this photograph on the Sable River, it seemed to me the image had a Brandenburg feel. The beauty of art is that the final image has a mix of my style as well as Jim's.

Standup paddle surfer Larry Bordine gets launched over the top of a wave as he attempts to paddle his way further out into Lake Michigan before surfing back to shore.

This was the last photo that my Fuji S5 Pro camera took. On the very next shot, I slid down the ice-covered slide. I went faster than anticipated and landed on top of my camera and tripod. It was one of the dumber things I have ever done, especially while photographing! My new used Fuji S5 is coming in the mail tomorrow. F11.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

The wallpaper in my bedroom is the last that needs to come down. It is a lovely shade of burgundy. As a black-and-white image though, it feels extremely tropical!

My daughter’s tablet cover reminds me of Van Gogh’s painting, “The Starry Night.” I decided to spin the tablet to create the same spinning movement as he does in his painting.

I have never seen a piece of driftwood this color before! I’m grateful that Brad’s Uncle Budde called to let us know about it.

Daylight is fast fading away when I finally find a picture that feels good. The combination of the diverse patterns and textures of the log, feather and sand make for a good mix. F32.0 at 20.0, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

The first concept we teach in our 20/20 Vision Workshops is “twice as close.” When you find a scene that excites you, shoot it. Then move roughly twice as close and shoot it again. Keep doing that until you can’t get any closer. That is what I did today photographing a new metal sculpture in my Uncle Budde and Aunt Sheryl’s front yard on Lake Michigan