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A wave generated by Superstorm Sandy explodes against the South Haven, Michigan lighthouse. The hurricane turned superstorm brought 50-knot-plus winds all the way from the East Coast to the Great Lakes and churned up 20-foot monster waves in southern Lake Michigan. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

One of the concepts my dad and I teach in our 20/20 Vision Workshops is "little object in the big world." Today, Jon Debruyn of South Haven, Michigan looked pretty tiny as he kayaked out past the lighthouse in his hometown. To my surprise and that of hundreds of other spectators on the beach, Jon was able to hold his own against the giant 18-foot breaking walls of water on Lake Michigan. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 82mm

One of the concepts my dad and I teach in our 20/20 Vision Workshops is "little object in the big world." Today, Jon Debruyn of South Haven, Michigan looked pretty tiny as he kayaked out past the lighthouse in his hometown. To my surprise and that of hundreds of other spectators on the beach, Jon was able to hold his own against the giant 18-foot breaking walls of water on Lake Michigan. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 82mm

Our number one rule to shooting better photographs is to get "twice as close." Brad stands in Lake Michigan as close as he dares to get to the big waves he is photographing at South Haven, Michigan, during Superstorm Sandy. F5.6 at 1/2000, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

Waves roll into the Grand Haven Channel despite the protection from the north wind provided by the north pier. Meanwhile two Coast Guard self-righting motor lifeboats train in larger waves further offshore. F5 at 1/2000, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

A surfer leans past the point of no return in timing his plunge into the big Lake Michigan waves at the Grand Haven South Pier during Superstorm Sandy. The expert surfer paddled clear of the pier and then caught a big wave to ride back to shore. F4.5 at 1/2000, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

My dad and I left early this morning and headed south, following reports that the largest waves would be found closer to Michigan City and Chicago. Our first stop was Grand Haven. The waves were disappointingly small, but the quality of light was nice. After a 10-minute wait, I finally captured a wave splashing up on the lighthouse. F8 at 1/640, ISO 3200, 600mm lens at 600mm

Since the beginning of the Tuesdays Project back in January, my dad and I have been dreaming of photographing a huge Lake Michigan storm. Finally, thanks to Superstorm Sandy, we witnessed one of the most powerful storms on the Great Lakes in years. The largest waves were in the southern tip of Lake Michigan. I made this photo in St. Joseph, Michigan. F4.5 at 1/250, ISO 3200, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

The big wave in this photograph reminds me of the wave in the movie The Perfect Storm that sank the Andrea Gail. Of course this wave is a lot smaller than the giant ocean rollers, but Lake Michigan waves can actually be a lot more dangerous because they are so steep, so close together, and come from multiple directions. F5.6 at 1/400, ISO 3200, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

I would have paid good money to watch any surfer or kayaker try to survive this 25-foot wall of water on Lake Michigan this evening at St. Joseph, Michigan. My guess is they all would have lost. The power and beauty of Lake Michigan will forever have my full respect. F4.5 at 1/250, ISO 3200, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

The famous "Big Red" Holland South Pierhead Lighthouse was well protected by the Holland outer breakwalls during Superstorm Sandy. Hikers ventured to Big Red to get a closer look at one of the biggest Lake Michigan storms of recent years. Meanwhile hundreds of people were drawn to the more easily accessible north pier at Holland State Park to see the impact of Superstorm Sandy on Lake Michigan. F4.5 at 1/500, ISO 1600, 80-200mm lens at 185mm

The Holland North Pierhead Lighthouse, better known as "Big Red," shines forth to mark the channel entrance to the Holland, Michigan harbor. The Holland outer breakwalls protect Big Red this day from the seas raging on Lake Michigan. I drove Coast Guard rescue boats past Big Red's welcoming beacon in much bigger waves during my three years of Coast Guard duty at Holland. I miss those days. F2.8 at 1/50, ISO 1600, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

Little Sable Point Lighthouse reminds me of a poem today. There is a perfect rhythm to the dune grass, clouds, beach and waves. At the heart of the poem is the grand old lighthouse. Photography is all about feeling and Little Sable Point feels perfect today. F14 at 1/100, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

I always tell people to bundle up and head for a Great Lakes shoreline in late autumn. The views can be as exhilarating as the crisp temperatures and breeze. I am not even thinking about being cold as I experience this view while hiking between Silver Lake Outlet and Little Sable Point Lighthouse. F11 at 1/640, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

For a truly dramatic photo of a Lake Michigan sunset, try using a large telephoto lens. With a very narrow view of the Earth, a large telephoto lens will intensify the color and drama in any sunset. The foreground in this photograph is a small dune at Stearns Park between the breakwall and the playground. F4 at 1/4000, ISO 100, 600mm lens at 600mm

For a truly dramatic photo of a Lake Michigan sunset, try using a large telephoto lens. With a very narrow view of the Earth, a large telephoto lens will intensify the color and drama in any sunset. The foreground in this photograph is a small dune at Stearns Park between the breakwall and the playground. F4 at 1/4000, ISO 100, 600mm lens at 600mm

One of the most surreal Northern Lights shows I have ever seen dances across the sky on the Ludington waterfront. Thanks, Brad, for waking me up. I had turned in early after a long day of shooting. Now I am back outdoors with my camera living the dream. F2.8 at 30 seconds, ISO 800, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

One of the beauties of living in Ludington is that we are close enough to the North Pole to occasionally be bathed in the colorful northern exposure of the Northern Lights. Ludington is aglow tonight with city lights and Northern Lights. F3.5 at 25 seconds, ISO 800, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

These rocks on the Ludington waterfront look hand-painted with snow today. Sometimes the snowfalls at the beginning of wintertime create crisp, interesting patterns. Soon these rocks will be covered with ice and will be picturesque in a more severe way. F13 at 1/125, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Even using a tripod, I have to brace my lens against a tree to keep it from shaking in the wind tonight on the Lake Michigan waterfront. I love the patterns being made by the light, waves, and snow. I love the power and beauty of this view and want to make my image of it as sharp as possible. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm