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A large farm near the border of Mason and Oceana Counties looks like the skyline view of Chicago over Lake Michigan. I can’t stop my truck quick enough to make this image.

My son Brad and I teach that 90 percent of a good outdoor photograph is about the light and or atmosphere. Three videographers were with me on a late January early evening that could best be described as gray on the emotional scale. They probably wondered why I was stopping along this country road with it getting so dark. However, I instantly saw, looking at Cherry Hill Farm, that the soft snowfall was creating a painterly, Christmas-card atmosphere that I could previsualize much brighter. A longer exposure would do just that but I needed the snowflakes to remain relatively distinct. Adding to my challenge, I wanted as much of the scene sharp as possible. The solution was to raise my ISO (digital sensor sensitivity speed) to a fast 3200, which allowed me to shoot at a relatively fast shutter speed (1/100th second) and still maintain a medium depth of field (f9). All I had to do now was slap down the tripod, mount the camera and trip the shutter. I have studied and photographed our Conrad Road neighbors’ farm for years. This image is one of my wintertime favorites

Yellow Flowers in Fog on Stiles Road

I have always wanted to photograph this black horse on US31 near Norwalk, Michigan and today the scene was finally perfect. I have always wanted to photograph this black horse on US31 near Norwalk, Michigan and today the scene was finally perfect.

 

Everyone loves seeing apple blossoms decorate the countryside of the Lake Michigan shoreline counties in springtime, but I am among the many who get just as excited to see the apple trees loaded with apples ready for harvest at the end of summer and during fall.

 

This remains one of the most priceless moments I have ever captured with a camera. On an unseasonably cold October day, I saw a flock of sheep marching single-file across a field. I sought permission from Bernal Burke to venture into his Carr Settlement fields. I arrived where the sheep were heading with just enough time to set up my camera. The lead sheep turned sideways, and the next sheep in line followed his lead, setting up a barricade to protect the flock. As they maneuvered, huge snowflakes began to fall. It was the first snow of the season, and the lead sheep did not appear happy. For many years after my camera froze that moment, a framed print of this image usually hung in a prominent spot in our art fair tent. The image caused a lot of laughter as art fair patrons attempted to mimic the lead sheep’s expression and even try to make sheep sounds. It made people happy and brought us some comic relief from our long weekend grind on the Michigan art fair circuit. I will always be grateful to Bernal Burke for being so kind, accommodating and trusting to allow me to roam freely on his land. Besides being a farmer, Bernal served for many years as the Mason County Treasurer. I always admired and respected him when, as a reporter, I covered county government. I admired him as a farmer just as much. I believe we shared mutual respect, which meant the world to me.

 I had just arrived at my parent’s home east of Custer, Michigan, and the smell of homemade chicken soup was in the air, dinner was ready! My two kids and two nieces were already seated at the table when we started to see the glow of the sunset through the kitchen window. We ran outside to watch and what we found was an incredible rainbow to the east! I hurried to get the tripod and camera out. The rainbow started to get more intense, and the double appeared at the same time as we were seeing beautiful magic light from the sunset. The light was hitting the tops of the trees; it was one of the most incredible scenes that I’ve ever witnessed! I was able to get a few shots off before the intense glow started to fade. What an incredible sight to see and share with the family!

I love it when a picture comes together. I have passed this beautifully cared for old barn many times while traveling M22 on Old Mission Peninsula. Today, at the peak of blossom time, it stands out like never before.

My great grandma, Martha Delite Shoup Benson, grew up in this house on Hansen Road in eastern Mason County. The house is still in pretty good shape, but the barn has seen better days. I wish I could travel back in time and have my great-grandma and her siblings give me a tour of the homestead in all of its glory.

My daughter Kasey’s ewe, Lady Glitter Sparkles, had a little girl last night. Kasey named her Princess Poppy.

My great-grandma, Martha Delite Benson, was originally a Shoup and was born and raised near the farm where I took this photograph. It is still in the Shoup family. I love how life on this farm, and many other farms in Mason County, seems to move at a slower, more peaceful pace. F8.0 at 1/400, ISO 640, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I was on my way to pick up my youngest from daycare, when this gorgeous black dog was running through nearby corn fields. I pulled my van over and quickly made this composition before he turned and ran back home.

Fall Leaves on Conrad Road

Fall Leaves on Conrad Road

Fall Leaves near a barn on Conrad Road

Fall on Conrad Road

I have never traveled this section of Buchanan Road east of Shelby. The rolling hills and farmlands present many spectacular views but none looks or feels better to me on this August day than this view of cattle grazing in the grass.