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Where in the world was this photograph taken? It was actually captured at the elbow of the breakwall in Ludington. I set my camera just a few inches above the surface of Lake Michigan and used a super wide-angle lens to make the rocks lining the pier look like massive cliffs. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

Where in the world was this photograph taken? It was actually captured at the elbow of the breakwall in Ludington. I set my camera just a few inches above the surface of Lake Michigan and used a super wide-angle lens to make the rocks lining the pier look like massive cliffs. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

Still so dark the stars were brilliant in dawn’s earliest light, I made this image of a portion of the Island Trail at Ludington State Park while my son Brad was demonstrating to our photography workshop students how much detail and color cameras could record. We both made 30-second exposures. I was very pleased with how my tripod-mounted Nikon D850 rendered the scene.

After being stuck behind the slowest driver in Mason County and not being able to pass them, I was sick to my stomach for missing a shot out at the Ludington State Park of the largest double rainbow I had ever seen in my life. I missed it by less than 30 seconds. Disappointed, I drove to the Ludington City Beach to watch the sunset and to cool off. To my surprise, we had a colorful sunset appear. Luckily for us, my dad captured the double rainbow and it has become one of our fastest selling images of all time and made the cover of our newest book Wonderous West Shore.

For a few precious minutes, the light of the rising sun and the sunlight reflected from the setting moon balance on an April morning along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Pentwater. Sunrise beach walks bring me alive as I watch the world about me come to life.

I have never witnessed such a radically divided storm front as the one that confronted me on the shores of Lake Michigan on the evening of July 12, 2007. As I burrowed my tripod into the sand, I could not decide in which direction to photograph. To the north, the sky was black and a massive storm front was quickly approaching my location. To the south, the sky and water looked tropical and calm. I decided to be daring and wait about 30 seconds for the storm to literally get on top of me, and then I photographed straight west. The end result was a photographic version of a Taijitu, the traditional symbol representing the forces of yin and yang.

When God creates a scene this extraordinary, you pray to God you will be there! Lake Michigan waves flooded the Ludington State Park beach on October 18, 2007, during one of the most apparent meteotsunamis Brad and I have experienced in our photographic lives. These Great Lakes weather-driven meteorological tsunamis happen many times a year. They quickly raise the water level and flood the shoreline. Most of these meteotsunamis have little impact. We have left camera bags high and dry, only to find them sitting in a lake that wasn’t there 15 minutes earlier. We knew from experience to respect the water and realize we and our camera equipment could get swept away if we did not maintain situational awareness. This day, I had chased the storm clouds to Ludington State Park after spotting them while driving to the Ludington beach. Moments after I arrived, I heard noise behind me and turned to see Brad running down to the shore wearing soccer shorts, shoes and T-shirt. It was hilarious to see someone running toward a fall Great Lakes storm dressed in that outfit. But, like me, he knew time was of the essence when he interrupted his participation in a soccer game to chase a storm. People often think we wait for hours to get our shots. But, especially in the case of fast-moving storms, we are often chasing the storm like mad dogs. Just as Brad arrived, the sun popped out of a hole in the clouds and flooded the beach with light. Before us was one of the rarest magical Lake Michigan views of our lives. I will never forget the experience of being there in sun and wind and water. Less than five minutes later, I would witness and capture with my digital camera an equally memorable out-of-this-world moment. Bottom line for photographers, when it looks this great, focus with all your being on your photography until the magic disappears.

The wind was whipping along the Lake Michigan shoreline during a vibrant sunset tonight from the north end of Stearns Beach. Using a wide-angle lens, I used the distortion that the lens creates to make a stronger composition.

Watching from atop the Ridge Trail as this lone vessel sailed north on a September Lake Michigan cruise, I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of times I had cruised the same waters aboard Coast Guard rescue boats. When not too busy focusing on a mission, I was always awe-struck by the natural beauty and remoteness of the dunes and forests these recreational voyagers were undoubtedly appreciating this day. It made me long for those Coast Guard boat rides, both the calm ones and the really rough ones. Big Point Sable is on average the windiest spot on Lake Michigan.

 My family and I had just finished a nice dinner with my mom and dad, and my brother Paul’s family at his house. On our drive home my eyes were on the sky. I knew that I wanted to get to the lakeshore and shoot the sunset. We hurried home to get my tripod, and had plans to head in, as a family, to enjoy what I hoped would be a nice evening with great light. My two and a half year old son David Benjamin had other ideas! He actually begged to stay home. Daddy and David Benjamin stayed and held down the fort at home while I headed towards the beach with my five and a half year old daughter Kasey Mae. She loves to help mommy shoot, and I thought for sure I’d have to fight her for my camera. However, within seconds of seeing the water she was asking if she could go in and play. Upon hearing my approval, she ran into the water, with her shoes and socks still on! It was a fun night of shooting for me, and playing in the water for her. I named this photo “Mae’s Rays”. It was shot the last day of May 2014; Mae is Kasey’s middle name as well as my mom’s middle name. My mom and Kasey Mae play a very important role in my life, and I’m happy to have made this image for them.

A clump of dune grass stands unassailable against winter's onslaught. I love to see the changes that snow brings to subjects that appealed to me in a different way before the snowfall.

Ludington State Park Workshop

Highway to Heaven

This tree graces the Ludington beach near the entrance to Stearns Park. It often frames picturesque views of Lake Michigan. On this night the tree takes center stage, leaving an anchored freighter to play supporting role.

The view of Lake Michigan from the Pere Marquette Township campground is among the most panoramic from point to point. Rough water and storm clouds can add drama, but exceptional quality of natural light I like to call "magic light" or storm light is essential to making the view the most spectacular.

Given the choice between the Yellow Brick Road and this path to the beach along Lake Michigan in Buttersville, I would choose this path. I felt like I struck gold when I spotted it after rushing to get to the shoreline before sunset. I knew from the golden light painting the countryside along the US31 freeway south of Ludington that if I could just get to the beach in time I would have the opportunity to make an image that would look and feel far more like summer than winter. My instincts were well rewarded.

Stearns Beach During Workshop

Wednesday