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I have long wanted to photograph the lighthouse on White Lake near Whitehall. Today, finally, I am here on my way back from hanging the photograph I entered in the ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids. The White River Light Station, built in 1876 and now a museum, looks storybook perfect. F8.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 22 mm

As I stand on the drawbridge at Charlevoix watching boats ply the Pine River Channel leading to and from Lake Michigan, it strikes me how interesting the iron draw bridge railing is as the bright July sun strikes the side opposite my position. The graphic image is not the picture I previsualized but I am delighted to discover it. F13 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

My wife Debbie and I celebrated our first anniversary in Charlevoix, Michigan. Now, on the eve of our silver anniversary, we stand on the drawbridge at Charlevoix together as I make this image of golden light striking the Charlevoix lighthouse. I look forward to celebrating our golden anniversary together in Charlevoix 25 years down the path of life. F3.2 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 280mm

After a birthday dinner for me at my house with the kids, we headed down to the beach to photograph the sunset. I love these hazy, but colorful nights along the Lake Michigan shoreline

I was on my way to Brad’s when I passed by The Market on US-31. It was closed, but the cattails surrounding it were just waiting to be photographed. I used their exterior lights to add depth to the photo. Cattails always bring back memories of picking them at fair, and then forgetting them in the camper until we would find them exploded the next spring. My mom does not miss those days.

We had a dramatic sunset tonight in Ludington. I knew I might get drenched making this image at the end of the North Inner Pier by the green light, but it was worth the risk. Luckily, the storm light appeared and the rain was only a light sprinkle.

Sean and I, and about 26 of Sean’s friends from all over the country, met in Lansing today for the start of the annual golf outing that Sean organizes. Today, while playing Timber Ridge, the light got really good for a few minutes so I put my golf clubs down and grabbed my camera. This decorative grass was near one of the tee boxes. I lay on my back on the golf cart path and made this image.

I am watching the last Badger show of the year. I am one of many Ludington residents watching as the Lake Michigan Carferry sails into the Ludington harbor at the end of its final voyage of the 2010 sailing season. F2.8 at 1/2000, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I never tire of experiencing Ludington from new perspectives. I made this photograph from 11,500 feet above Ludington with a telephoto zoom lens. I hope you and your family and friends find time to come experience everything the Ludington area has to offer. F9 at 1/640, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

It was rough and windy today on Lake Michigan and I was glad I was on shore and not a crewmember aboard the Manitowoc. The dramatic light was nice to document one of my favorite lower lakers on all of the Great Lakes.

I could see sweeping clouds to the west when I walked out for lunch. I knew I needed to get to the lakeshore. The clouds were massive overhead.

Doing these year-long shooting projects, where you have to try and find a book-quality image every single day, gets hard. I remember in 2010, while my dad and I were shooting the 365 Project, that by the time October rolled around, I was anxiously awaiting the end of the year so I could take a mental health break. It is especially hard on days like today when you come down with some nasty bug.

While eating a delicious meal at Table 14 in downtown Ludington tonight, I was captivated by this funky pumpkin that was on display in the restaurant. After shooting this photo with my iPhone, I learned that the employees had a pumpkin carving contest going and they were asking customers to vote on which one was their favorite. This one got my vote.

October is the time for drama on the Lake Michigan shoreline. This afternoon I am so glad I made the decision to head to Little Sable Point to try to catch a peak moment of light, clouds and waves at the historic lighthouse. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 19 mm

After being seconds too late to photograph the magic light at sunrise this morning and also missing great light hitting the Ludington North Breakwater Light with a giant rainbow, I finally got my prize at Big Sable Point Lighthouse this afternoon. Lake Michigan in October is cold, but worth it for the composition I wanted. F14.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 22mm

Lake Michigan had an eerie glow over it tonight as I drove through Stearns Park while looking for my photo of the day. As the sun set lower on the horizon, the gold shafts of light became even more apparent. F9.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

My dad called me this morning and said he was standing on his deck looking at huge waves going over the top of the Ludington North Breakwater Light. I had a few meetings in the morning and as soon as they were done, I headed to the Lake Michigan shoreline and started shooting. After a half hour of shooting several different waves hitting the lighthouse, I knew this one was a winner.

“Class Time” - All semester it has been on my syllabus to have my photography students from West Shore Community College meet me down at the North end of Stearns Beach today for a class shoot. Our timing was unbelievable. Just as we showed up the magic light appeared. We all hustled down to the shoreline and started shooting. Nikon D850. F6.3, 1/2000, ISO 400. 60-600mm lens at 600mm. On a tripod without a flash. November 11, 2024 at 1:15pm.

Wave Action

The Ludington South Breakwater Light is enveloped by a wave during the second day of the big Southwester that has stirred Lake Michigan into a frenzy. This is my kind of day. Oh to be back out there driving a self-righting Coast Guard motor lifeboat right now! F4.0 at 1/1250, ISO 200, 500 mm lens at 500 mm