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After spending the day photographing the Leelanau Peninsula, I return to Ludington in time to vote in the local school election. On my way home from voting I am rewarded with this uplifting Lake Michigan view from the bluffs of Buttersville. F11 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

The Badger’s maiden voyage each year is a really big deal in Ludington. For me it feels like the official kick-off of summer. The Badger had smooth sailing today to start its sailing season.

Sometimes simple sunsets can be the most peaceful. This calm, warm night was just what the doctor ordered.

I am watching an eerie light show tonight. As a thunderstorm sweeps across Lake Michigan toward my home I am shooting time exposures of lighting bolts electrifying the sky just above the horizon. The rest of the sky remains ominously dark. Strange. F4.0 at 30.0, ISO 1600, 12-24 mm lens at 18 mm

What a great evening to be a seagull. As I make this picture, I think of all the times I have watched seagulls enduring the worst fall windstorms and winter blizzards. I am certain they are finding this second day of summer more enjoyable. F4.5 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 175 mm

One of the timeless pastimes of hiking the Lake Michigan shorelines is trying to skip rocks across the surface of the water. I enjoy seeing people taking part in the simple, pleasurable Michigan outdoor pastimes of life. F2.8 at 1/640, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 155mm

The outlet to Lake Michigan at Summit Park between Ludington and Pentwater turns to gold before my eyes. I have made the composition I want of the rippling water flowing; all that I need now is for the light to line up with the composition. Jackpot! F22 at 1/6400, ISO 100, 200mm lens at 200mm

Summit Park south of Ludington is one of my favorite West Michigan places to rock hunt along the Lake Michigan shoreline. After enjoying a fabulous fish dinner at the famous Bortell's Fisheries just across the road on South Lakeshore Drive, I find some rock treasure on the park beach. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

This is the fourth photo of the evening that I have gotten at the creek at Summit Park. For over an hour, I lay in the creek exploring the rocks, stumps, and creek bottom for different patterns and compositions. The entire creek is less than 30 yards long before it makes its way into Lake Michigan. By lying in the creek and putting my camera a few inches above the water, I was able to eliminate size perspective and sense of scale in this photograph. F22 at 1/10, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

By now you have probably read or heard my dad and me say several times that we believe good photography is all about feeling. We work hard at building our compositions so that the viewers of our work feel like they are really experiencing the scene and not just looking at a two-dimensional photograph. By getting close to our subject, we build in a sense of immediacy and that helps viewers become more emotionally involved with our photographs. F22 at 1/4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

It is so strange not rushing to get ready for the West Shore Art Fair this year. Normally this time of year we are super busy at work getting ready for the summer rush and for the art fair season. This year has helped us all slow down a bit and enjoy simple sunsets like this one.

I don’t believe I have ever made an image at Lincoln Lake. I left Ludington later than I had planned, and sunset was fading fast. I parked past the bridge on M-116 and walked quickly in between cars to capture this sunset over Lincoln Lake.

My wife Debbie and I are returning to Buttersville Park from a trek to photograph the clay banks in the evening light when this scene presents itself. I already have the picture I set out to take but can't pass up this shot of a group of Kalamazoo College students savoring a bonfire and the sunset afterglow. Another hike to the clay banks lies ahead. F4.5 at 1.0, ISO 250, 12-24 mm lens at 22 mm

My wife Debbie and I are returning to Buttersville Park from a trek to photograph the clay banks in the evening light when this scene presents itself. I already have the picture I set out to take but can't pass up this shot of a group of Kalamazoo College students savoring a bonfire and the sunset afterglow. Another hike to the clay banks lies ahead. F4.5 at 1.0, ISO 250, 12-24 mm lens at 22 mm

Looking through the viewfinder of my camera tonight with my 300 mm telephoto lens, I can't believe my eyes. It appears as if the sun is melting into Lake Michigan. The color of the sky this year seems to be more intense than previous years. I wonder if it has to do with the volcano eruption in Iceland earlier in the year. F22.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 300 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 450 mm

During our Thursday night workshop tonight I noticed the sun hitting one of these large pieces of limestone. I waited over 30 minutes for the correct angle of sunlight and for a large enough wave to cover the front and backside of the rock. I am not usually a very patient person, but tonight it paid off. F22.0 at 0.6, 100 ISO, 70-200 mm lens at 70 mm

Last summer I noticed what seemed like hundreds of stone sculptures built along the rocky shore of Mackinac Island by visitors. Today there seem to be only a few dozen, perhaps because the forces of nature toppled most of them during the fall and winter storms. This one along the west shore of the island stands out today. F9 at 1/250, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

Several customers came in the gallery earlier today telling us how unbelievably warm the water was in Lake Michigan. Tonight after work, I went to the second curve at Ludington State Park. I stood waist-deep in the warm water with my camera on a tripod and used my flash to help freeze the motion of the rushing waves. F4.5 at 1/25, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

The rocky shoreline of Mackinac Island is beautiful all year round. Today, the bright sunlight and high winds were creating bright white foam along the shoreline. The water and shoreline in this photograph look more like the ocean to me than the Great Lakes. The Mackinac Bridge in the distance however, screams Michigan. F11 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 46mm