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My brother-in-law, Ben Verduin, and his wife Emily were married last summer at St. Cecilia Music Center in downtown Grand Rapids. Tonight as we all walked past the iconic building together on our way to dinner we noticed this tree that looked like it had been dipped in florescent paint. F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 32 mm

Kevin and Nancy Hansen's farm on Victory Drive was one of several farms on this year's Mason County Barn Tour. I am attracted to one of many farm implements on display that were used for several decades by Kevin's grandfather. F10.0 at 1/160, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 22 m

While Brad is using a wide-angle lens to photograph wake boarder James White, Bass Lake and the famous Three Sisters, I use a telephoto lens to make an up-close and personal image of the 15-year-old daredevil. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

My wife's aunt, Robin Mulder, took Betsy and me to Ludema's Floral and Garden store in Grand Rapids to pick out flowers for my mother-in-law Sharon Verduin who had surgery today. The moisture in the greenhouse made my lens fog up, but I feel that added to this photograph of chrysanthemums. F16.0 at 1/200, ISO 250, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I love the sense of adventure and scale of this image as I compose it in my viewfinder. Brad and I call this kind of shot "the little person in the big world." Lake Michigan is definitely a big world. F7.1 at 1/2000, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 155 mm

My dad knelt down in the warm waters of the Bass Lake Outlet this afternoon as he waited for the defining moment to happen in front of his camera. F7.1 at 1/800, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

One of our workshop students found this fungus growing at the bottom of a tree near the Beechwood Campground inside Ludington State Park. Lucky for me, she shared her special find with the rest of the group. F20.0 at 15.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

Looking at sunbathers on an island at the Bass Lake Outlet to Lake Michigan, I find myself wanting to sing a favorite Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton song about "Islands in the Stream." What a special piece of Michigan real estate this spot is! F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

A Sunday ride on an autumn afternoon is one of the best things about Michigan. I stop to take a picture of my favorite tunnel of trees at the Polcin farm on Conrad Road. Cheryl Swinehart and Boyd Stark crest a hill on a bicycle ride as I am shooting. F10.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 135 mm

A beautiful breaking wave comes ashore this afternoon at the Bass Lake Outlet along the Lake Michigan shoreline near Pentwater, Michigan. In the distance a family is enjoying playing in the warm water of the outlet. F8 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

My dad is the master of making great art from old abandoned houses. I have photographed a few, but never had the same kind of success. When Betsy spotted this scene on south Stiles Road near Marrison Avenue, I instantly knew that the game was on between my dad and me. F8.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

My dad and I try to turn photography into an action sport. We like to engage our subject. Often times that means getting wet

I love the rolling hills between Hart and New Era along the US 31 Freeway. Today as my nephew Ryan and I head to Grand Rapids for ArtPrize, I have to stop to photograph this farm surrounded by fall color. F8.0 at 1/320, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

My dad has lived on or near Lake Michigan his entire life. He drove Coast Guard boats on Lake Michigan for 33 years and has been capturing her beauty with his camera since 1971. My dad certainly is "One with the Great Lakes." F8 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Milkweeds tend to bring back childhood memories for me. I remember breaking them apart and chasing the girls around the yard at daycare. As I was photographing these milkweeds along Brye Road this morning, I was quietly smiling to myself. F8.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Today, while exploring the dam at the Bass Lake Outlet with an underwater housing for my camera, I decided to try shooting from under the water straight up towards the sky. The resulting photograph turned out a lot cooler than I thought it would. I love trying new things with my camera. F13 at 1/2000, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Aspen leaves shimmering in the sunlight and wind are one of my favorite autumn sights. These aspens signaled me to stop along Mavis Road in Hamlin Township. F4.0 at 1/250, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

With an underwater camera housing, I got a unique perspective of the dam at the Bass Lake Outlet. The water coming over the dam felt as warm as a hot tub. I could have stood in the water the entire day. F9 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Yesterday a customer came in the gallery and asked to see some photos of a tree in the fall with only red leaves on it. We didn't have exactly what she was looking for. Today on my way to work, Julia and I noticed a tree on Bryant road that was very large and had only red leaves. Time to email that customer. F8.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Fall color catches my eye first along the Lincoln River. Then I notice the amazing patterns and textures of some leafless branches, making it clear that the fall color works better as a backdrop for the bare branches. F5.0 at 1/640, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm