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My wife Debbie and I have arrived in Charlevoix just in time to catch the afterglow light along the rocky Lake Michigan shoreline at Fisherman's Island State Park. These two rocks quickly stand out to me because of their size, shape, texture and the way the light and shadow define them. F16.0 at 13.0, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

While driving out M-116 along Ludington State Park, I had my eye on the gorgeous sunset over Lake Michigan. When I pulled off the road to shoot the sunset, I noticed the large moon. I got back in my truck and found a tree to put in my photo. I love surprise photographic opportunities like this. F22.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 95 mm

After a busy few weeks, it was nice to spend a few minutes down by the lakeshore, soaking up the sunshine and fresh breeze. The second curve at the Ludington State Park was especially quiet today

One of my photography heroes, the late great Galen Rowell, made some stunning photographs of campsites during climbing expeditions. I thought of his poetic camp images while envisioning this shot at Fisherman's Island State Park. I am combining and balancing the light still remaining in the sky with lantern and bonfire light. F4.0 at 30.0, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

A shelf cloud was forming off Stearns Beach in downtown Ludington today. It was interesting watching the different weather systems collide and then come on shore. The water in this photograph was super calm. Within fifteen minutes, I was watching small white caps

I have witnessed God beams in the clouds over Lake Michigan hundreds of times, but tonight was the first time I experienced God beams below the surface. The underwater housing I am borrowing this summer allowed me to capture the beauty of the rays perfectly so that I could share them with the world. F5 at 1/250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

During a hike from our campsite to Fisherman's Island, my wife Debbie and I are mesmerized by the beauty of the rocky, shallow lake bottom as Lake Michigan waves undulate above the rocks. I shoot as some of the rocks are nearly uncovered between waves. I want to convey the beauty of the rocks and the clarity and liquidity of the water. F3.5 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I am one of many visitors and local residents alike gathered on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Leland to watch the sun set over North Manitou Island. Experiences like this are why Michigan is such a special place to live or to visit. F22 at 0.4, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 20mm

Seemingly out of nowhere, a storm front shows up on a sunny morning on the Crosswinds beach at Ludington. I love watching with an unobstructed view of the Lake Michigan shoreline as dramatic cloud formations like this one rush toward me. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 80, iPhone camera

This is by far the roughest water and biggest waves I have attempted to photograph in using our underwater housing. Using over six hundred feet of strong line, a full body survival suit, and being tied off to one of the picnic tables at the water’s edge on Stearns Beach in Ludington, I ventured out into an angry, but beautiful Lake Michigan. I got pounded and tossed around, but it paid off.

Everything appears to be growing bigger, better and well ahead of schedule this year. The dune grass along the Lake Michigan shoreline is in full bloom at least two weeks early and this evening it looks picture perfect to me, along with the clouds that usually don't look this good until October. F4.0 at 1/400, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

It is a blue morning along Lake Michigan and I am a blue person. By that I mean I love the color blue; don't ask me why, but I always have. Some might say I wear blue clothing way too often. They probably don't notice as much my penchant for blue pictures. Now they know. F4.0 at 1/320, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

I love watching thunderstorms sweep toward my home from across Lake Michigan. I have seen a lot bigger storms and bigger lightning bolts, but I still find the bolts of this storm exciting and alluring. Why is it that so many of us are drawn to storms? F5.6 at 30.0, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

One of my fellow CrossFit friends, Patrick Mousel, was out for a sunset run along the Lake Michigan shoreline at the Ludington State Park tonight. As he quickly approached, I got into position and made this "Pure Ludington" image. F22 at 0.4, ISO 100, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Just recently, we had a first time visitor to our gallery telling us that she had never been to Michigan before. She went on to tell us that the night before was her first time experiencing a sunset over Lake Michigan and that when she saw with her own eyes that the beach and sand really do turn neon pink during sunset, she started to cry. I was thinking of her when I made this image a few days later. F4.5 at 1/40, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

I never tire of the adrenaline rush I get when I see a great sunset forming, especially when I am not in position to shoot it yet. When I first realized that I needed to get to the shoreline of Lake Michigan tonight to shoot the sunset, I was standing on the tarmac at the Mason County Airport. I knew I only had about 15 minutes to get into position. I rushed off to the second curve at Ludington State Park and this was my reward. F13 at 1/15, ISO 100, 10-17mm lens at 16mm

Another shelf cloud was quickly heading to shore this morning as I was heading to work. I drove to Stearns Beach and ran down to the water’s edge to make this image before the storm came on shore.

The Buttersville beach is a quieter place today. The busy Labor Day weekend is over and the absence of people along Lake Michigan accentuates the fall look. F4.0 at 1/125, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

A Pure Ludington moment of two tourists enjoying a wonderful sunset off Stearns Beach. I love meeting new people, especially when they love Ludington as much as I do!

Summit Park is one place I don’t visit as much as I should. It is such a great park and beach! I left work early to drive that way to explore for photographs. It was such a calm, peaceful afternoon!