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Big Sable Lighthouse

A fast-response Coast Guard rigid-hull-inflatable boat flies over the water on Lake Michigan off Ludington.

Heaven knows how many times a God beam has lit the Ludington lighthouse. But when I saw this beauty shining down, I felt its spiritual quality more strongly than any other God beam I have seen before or since. On this calm May day of 1993, I was already underway in my tiny Boston Whaler skiff searching for photo opportunities because of the dramatic clouds. I quickly maneuvered closer to the lighthouse and centered the iconic Ludington landmark beneath the glorious beam. I laid over the low gunwale and fired away for about 20 breathtaking seconds before the clouds and spotlight moved away. As a longtime Lake Michigan mariner, there have been many times during the calmest or stormiest voyages that I have felt God’s presence; this was one of those times. As a longtime photographer, I have learned to better know when I am being presented with an extraordinary view with or without looking through the viewfinder; this was one of those views. The image I was blessed to make that day more than a quarter century ago remains my favorite calm day photograph with the Ludington lighthouse in the scene. In 2007, “God Beam” was selected for the cover of an inspirational book titled Hope: pure and simple. The book features “316 thoughts to lift your soul” by famous Christian author Max Lucado. I was humbled to have an image that means a great deal to me personally grace the cover of Pastor Lucado’s hopeful book.

Lake Michigan, during its calmest and kindest moments, provides a tranquil playground for a pair of kayaking souls on a summer outing south of Ludington along the Buttersville peninsula.

Our workshop students were up to their waists in dewy grasses before sunrise and many of them were on their knees getting their cameras immediate to the wildflowers, grasses and weeds in a field near our Pere Marquette River property. I got down low beside them to immerse myself in the tapestry of spring growth. Six a.m. never looked better to me.

My dad and I enjoy photographing these Scottish Highland Cattle south of Hart, Michigan. This one stared me down and looked as if he might charge at me at any moment. I know that little wire fence would have done nothing to protect me, but I couldn't resist trying to make this image. I love his swagger.

Hamlin Lake looks like a mirror this ice-cold morning at Ludington State Park. I am delighted to have risen early to view this scene in dawn's early light.

I was in awe of the giant bolts of lightning striking Lake Michigan as I stood on the beach at the end of Ludington Avenue during a fierce September electrical storm. One massive bolt after another came crashing down and I was lucky enough to capture one that split on both sides of the lighthouse. When I downloaded the photo the next day, my dad quickly noticed that the bolt looked like the lower peninsula of Michigan.

On several past visits to Fremont, I was struck by the "Out West" look of the rolling hills in the farm and ranch lands between Hesperia and Fremont. This morning Brad and I started scouting for shots along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Holland. But when billowy cumulus clouds began decorating the eastern sky we knew if we drove 100 miles northeast to Fremont we could find a foreground like this to put in front of such a "big sky country" backdrop.

Today is Christmas Eve. Everything is still and calm. It is nice to enjoy this quiet view of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes all by myself this morning because I know the next week will be crazy busy with Christmas celebrations and a lot of eating. I take time to reflect on what an eventful year 2014 has been and all the good times I have had with my family and friends. Life is good! D800, F22 at 1 second, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 70mm

I followed this immature bald eagle in my truck all the way from the Sable River at Ludington State Park to just south of the First Curve on M116. The beautiful young creature finally came to rest near the top of some trees between Epworth and Lincoln Hills. The eagle definitely had a bird's eye view of the world from atop the blowing trees.

Lake Michigan at Point Betsie Lighthouse is so crystal clear on this hot summer day that I want to reach down and take a drink. I concentrate instead on trying to make an image of the lighthouse that emphasizes the clarity of the water and beauty of the rocky shore. F20 at 1/250, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 21mm

The SS Arthur M. Anderson steams through the Straits of Mackinac after passing under the Mackinac Bridge. The classic Great Lakes freighter is well known as the sturdy ship that survived the storm that sank the nearby SS Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975 on Lake Superior in one of the worst ever Great Lakes storms. F10 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

“Bad” weather days can quickly change into a photographer’s dream. First, I spent more than an hour on this rainy day working to make good images of Marquette Harbor Lighthouse. Then “magic light” broke out beneath the clouds near sundown and lit the lighthouse and trees like Christmas. Just before sunset, sunlight bounced off from clouds cast a diffused, soft golden light on the lighthouse, McCarty’s Cove shoreline, and Lake Superior. I love “bad” weather.

The graphic view in front of me at the entrance to St. Joseph Harbor reminds me of those perspective drawings we learned to make in grade school. Everything appears smaller as it recedes into the scene. Shooting the sailboat at just this spot in its voyage makes all the lines and imaginary lines line up in triangular fashion. F10 at 1/400, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 130mm

The beach at Little Sable Point looks like ice cream swirls today. Wind and waves and sand have worked together to create one of the most unique natural artworks I have ever encountered on a Lake Michigan beach. Little Sable Point Lighthouse and autumn clouds provide an appropriately beautiful backdrop. F32 at 1/125, ISO 400, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

Workshop at Ludington State Park

Fresh Water Day

Manistee Christmas Parade

Shoup Family Farm Weldon Creek Farms