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The soft glow of light following a light rainfall makes a wet rock shine and catch my eye along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Van Buren State Park. Closer investigation reveals this to be a very colorful rock. After getting my camera and tripod set up, I try for 15 minutes to catch a wave just right. Finally, I have what I was looking for. F6.3 at 1/80, ISO 200, 105mm lens at 105mm

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

I filled my boots with ice-cold water several times this morning in order to capture this image. Every 10 minutes or so the beach would flood on the north side of the channel in South Haven. This surge was significantly deeper and more powerful than any of the others I experienced in the morning hours. Rest assured Mom, Debbie, and Betsy, I was not actually in any danger shooting this photo, it just appears that way. Remember, cameras do lie! F9 at 1/640, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

I filled my boots with ice-cold water several times this morning in order to capture this image. Every 10 minutes or so the beach would flood on the north side of the channel in South Haven. This surge was significantly deeper and more powerful than any of the others I experienced in the morning hours. Rest assured Mom, Debbie, and Betsy, I was not actually in any danger shooting this photo, it just appears that way. Remember, cameras do lie! F9 at 1/640, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

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

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

Jon Debruyn ventured out today onto Lake Michigan to battle the 18-foot waves that were smashing into his hometown of South Haven, Michigan. For almost an hour I photographed Jon as he navigated like a professional through the breaking surf. He rolled several times, but it never seemed to faze him. I was impressed to say the least. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

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

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

Everybody needs a space they can retreat to for some peace and quiet. On a small canal in a busy residential area near Brest Bay on Lake Erie, my dad and I stumbled upon these colorful chairs and table. I felt that eliminating the "junk" in the scene by showing only the reflections would make the best photograph. This photograph makes me want to sit back, crack open a cold one, and relax for a bit. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 185mm