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In the summertime, hundreds of people would be having fun at Warren Dunes State Park. On this rainy October Tuesday afternoon I am the only person in sight. I enjoy making still-life photographs when everything is so still. F22 at 1/100, ISO 1600, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Three things in life really get my dad fired up. Skiing the fall line when it is steep and deep, seeing a big buck in the woods while deer hunting, and being on or near Lake Michigan during a huge storm. You can feel the excitement radiating off him in this photo. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

For Week 45 of the Tuesdays Project my dad and I drove down to Monroe, Michigan. Monroe is south of Detroit and is located on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Erie. The sunrise this morning had an atmospheric glow that was subtle, but sweet. F9 at 0.4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

I have been trying to make an image of dune grass to this quality since I first picked up a camera in 1999. After hundreds of failed attempts I was finally in the right place at the right time. I had a lot of good compositions of dune grass up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline, but I never had the right clouds or the magic light. My luck changed today. The water flowing through the foreground of the photo is from the Bass Lake Outlet as it makes its way into Lake Michigan. F22 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Recent windstorms have left behind some impressive sculptures on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. I previsualized the dunes appearing rippled following the big blows, but this exceeds my expectations. F32 at 1/50, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 29mm

It never ceases to amaze me how the wind can shape sand dunes into the most impressive works of art. I have hiked up and down the Silver Lake Sand Dunes for a couple hours before finding this spot. I immediately know that all that effort was more than worth the reward of this visual treat. F18 at 1/80, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 31mm

A sand dune is to me one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Now paint that sand with the golden light of the setting sun and I am awestruck. I loved the feeling of being the only human being experiencing this view from atop the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.

The sun looks to me like it is falling out of the sky this evening. Adding to the illusion, a ship on the horizon appears in part to be floating above Lake Michigan like a mirage due to an atmospheric phenomenon. F22 at 1/13, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 185mm

The sunrise in the east was casting a turquoise light to the west over Lake Michigan this morning. Luckily, I was ready with my camera and found a strong foreground of dune grass to build my photograph. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The sunrise in the east was casting a turquoise light to the west over Lake Michigan this morning. Luckily, I was ready with my camera and found a strong foreground of dune grass to build my photograph. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This lone tree at Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater looked extraordinary this morning with the colorful sky above Lake Michigan as the backdrop. I had to stand on top of my pickup truck to make this photograph because I wanted the split in the trunk to be right at the horizon line. F8 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

The dunes further inland at Ludington State Park don't get explored nearly as much as those along the shoreline. A whole new world awaits those who head into the dunes less traveled. F5 at 1/200, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

Dune Walking

Dune Walking

When it comes to scenic Michigan highways, M116 in the Ludington State Park might be the shortest but it remains my favorite. Except for the roadway, there is little manmade intrusion along one of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline in America. F5 at 1/200, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Even on a cold and windy night along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the light from the setting sun will warm your soul and make you look forward to its return the next day. F8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Those last few minutes of sunlight along Lake Michigan often turn everything a brilliant golden color. That is my favorite time of day to photograph the dune grass along the Lake Michigan shoreline. F5 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The golden sunlight says goodbye to us tonight as we photograph along the shores of Lake Michigan at the Ludington State Park. It is always fun making images of the jetties at the First Curve along M116. F9 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

One glance at the bright and dark tones and patterns of these snow-covered rocks along the Lake Michigan shoreline is all I need to know there is a picture to be made here on this sunny afternoon. I determine a strong composition and wait for just the right breaking wave. F13 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 112mm