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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

Graffiti is not something you see a lot of in our hometown of Ludington, Michigan but it is very common in the greater Detroit area. A rusty steel seawall in Monroe, Michigan was the backdrop of this high-five. F22 at 25 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 30mm

It wasn't until a few days after I took this photograph that I learned the graffiti art made of hundreds of handprints represented here is called the Circle-A. The Circle-A symbolizes the phrase "Anarchy is the Mother of Order." Regardless of what the symbol means, I was captivated by how beautiful and graphic the many small handprints looked against the rusty seawall in Monroe, Michigan. F22 at 10 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

Art is all around us; we just have to be open to seeing it in unexpected places. The top ridge of a seawall in Monroe, Michigan has rusted and much of the paint has peeled off over the years. As I was walking on the beach below the wall, I noticed a face that appeared to be looking at me in the peeled paint. I also noticed that the face seemed to be surrounded by flames. With my camera on a tripod, I made this six-second exposure of the fiery face. F22 at 6 seconds, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 105mm

As I was composing this photograph I noticed that the repetitive patterns created by this seawall in Monroe, Michigan looked like the teeth of a saw. It was at that moment that I decided I should name this photograph "Sea Saw." F22 at 3 seconds, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 105mm

Today is the first time I have visited Newport in Southeast Michigan, south of Detroit. I am immediately inspired to make an image of the town's classic Catholic Church. The calm water of nearby Lower Swan Creek this morning makes St. Charles Borromeo Church doubly inspiring. F22 at 0.3, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 44mm

The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club, located on the shores of Lake St. Clair just north of Detroit, was established in 1914 and is one of the premier yacht clubs in North America. I am looking forward to coming back to photograph the beautiful building in the summer months when it is surrounded by gorgeous yachts and sailboats. F10 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

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 have been trying to make an image of dune grass to this quality since I first picked up a camera in 1999. After hundreds of failed attempts I was finally in the right place at the right time. I had a lot of good compositions of dune grass up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline, but I never had the right clouds or the magic light. My luck changed today. The water flowing through the foreground of the photo is from the Bass Lake Outlet as it makes its way into Lake Michigan. F22 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

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

Recent windstorms have left behind some impressive sculptures on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. I previsualized the dunes appearing rippled following the big blows, but this exceeds my expectations. F32 at 1/50, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 29mm

Looking down from atop one of the highest spots in the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, I see S-curves of sand across the dunescape below. My mind starts playing tricks on me. I know it is only a mirage, but I imagine these patterns looking like tracks my sons and I have made in powder snow while downhill skiing on mountain slopes. F10 at 1/200, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 86mm

It never ceases to amaze me how the wind can shape sand dunes into the most impressive works of art. I have hiked up and down the Silver Lake Sand Dunes for a couple hours before finding this spot. I immediately know that all that effort was more than worth the reward of this visual treat. F18 at 1/80, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 31mm

A sand dune is to me one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Now paint that sand with the golden light of the setting sun and I am awestruck. I loved the feeling of being the only human being experiencing this view from atop the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.