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I am grateful to have made this picture of one of my favorite barns. Like other vintage wooden barns, this one, on Beaune Road in Hamlin Township, fell victim to the ravages of time and northern Michigan weather and is no longer standing.

Two minutes before I made this image of Sutton's Bay, the shoreline was dark and in the shadows. The magic light of October instantly transformed this scene into a powerful and graphic photograph. I set my ISO to 3200 so that I could "borrow" that light and put it into both the depth of field with the aperture and into the shutter speed so I could freeze the ripples in the water. By freezing the motion in the water, the reflections of the building, boats, and trees became more distinct.

Rushing Toward Superior

Hamlin Lake

Legends Deer Ranch

Underwater at Kitchitkipi

I have photographed this grand old maple tree in one of Pete Conrad’s farm fields on Conrad Road in Amber Township for years. On this October day, I loved the bright yellow foreground provided by the asparagus field, which was turning color along with the magnificent maple and the hardwoods beyond.

After five unsuccessful photo trips to the Schwass farm in Riverton Township, south of Scottville, I thought I was never going to take a good photograph of their winter squash. The challenge was to make a picture that would stir the viewer's emotions the way they had described the experience to me. On the sixth trip, a golden luminescence from the setting sun gave me the feeling they must have had. I was glad for the tips and my perseverance.

I have studied this grand scenic view along Hawley Road between Ludington and Pentwater for years. On this early November morning, I feel like the scene looks as good as it gets.

This is the first photograph I have ever made of this part of Lake Leelanau. I didn't realize until today how large or how beautiful the lake is. Today is proving to be one of the best Wednesdays for photography so far in 2014. D800, F22 at 1/13, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

December Magic

Signs from Above

Legends Deer Ranch

I was deer hunting near the Pere Marquette River in Amber Township with my camera, waiting for Whitetails to appear in front of me and fall color behind. The deer never appeared where I needed them to, so I decided to switch gears and frame some of the color I had been looking at for several hours.

My dad and I drive four-wheel-drive pick up trucks for several reasons. We often end up on dirt roads, in deep mud, snow, or sand. We also have an unbelievable amount of photography gear, clothing, rope, and other adventure items with us at all times. My truck was pushed to the limits a few hundred yards past where I made this image today. I am glad my truck has skid plates on the bottom because I went over some pretty impressive boulders to get down Indian Hill Road between Honor and Empire.

I stood on the tailgate of my truck along Custer Road to make this image. I loved all the layers in this scene and the rolling hills. All I needed to do was wait for the light. As I waited, I Facetimed with my mom, who lives in Germany.

Autumn Arrangment

Legends Deer Ranch

 

Squashing any notion I might have had that I was photographing pumpkins, grower Jim Schwass let me know they were actually winter squash. Visiting with the lifelong Riverton Township farmer while photographing the squash and his son's farm was one of those social bonuses that often make photo expeditions especially rewarding.