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This willow tree in front of Emerson Lake Inn east of Walhalla, Michigan stands out any time of year, but on a rainy, foggy winter morning the grand old tree commands attention in a way I have never seen before.

Sleeping Bear Area

Crimson Light

Big Sable Light Jan 2007

Buckley Rollway

Gerlach Workshop in Munising

Blue Chrome

One of the 20/20 Vision concepts we teach in our photography workshops is micro composing. With my camera on a tripod, I worked hard lying on my stomach on a frozen puddle to make sure every icicle was in just the right place and not merging with important elements of the Badger.

A male mallard duck was as still as a decoy this afternoon at the entrance of the Middle Bayou on Hamlin Lake. I worked quickly to make this image before a nearby swan messed up the perfect reflection.

Lake Michigan was a breathtaking color today, and the overcast sky was a wonderful complement. I hiked along the snow-blown dunes along M-116 until I came to a spot of uncovered sand. I composed my pyramid at my base and clicked the shutter.

 

A magic moment during a photography workshop at Ludington State Park

Snow Horses

My dad and I are lucky to be married to very understanding women. Countless times on family outings at the Ludington State Park my dad and I have had to run off and chase the light. On this June evening, I was on a walk with my wife and her parents. Our destination was Big Point Sable. Just after we started out I noticed the light getting good. Betsy noticed my growing agitation, and gave me the go ahead to set off with my camera. Like a dog chasing a tennis ball, I ran as fast as I could from the Beach House to Big Point Sable with my 20-pound camera bag and tripod on my back. The reward was so sweet. Thank you, Betsy (and Debbie), for your patience.

Many visitors to Ludington don't realize that the Ludington North Breakwater Light is now about seven degrees crooked due to a recent repair job that did not go as planned. It is a photographer's nightmare, especially with a 600 mm lens. You have to choose which one you want straight, the horizon or the lighthouse. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 400, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

My great-aunt, Carol Wright, died unexpectedly this week. She was a very classy lady and a lot of fun to be around. After her funeral was over, I used my iPhone to take a close up of the window at the funeral home. My aunt Carol loved bright colors and she would have loved this photograph. F2.8 at 1/430, ISO 70, iPhone camera

My dad and I were shocked when we realized we had never heard of or seen the Empire Bluffs. It is a decent hike from the parking lot to the bluffs, especially carrying 30 pounds of photography gear, and has a few steep sections of stairs. But the hike through the forest is beautiful and the view from the bluffs might be one of the best views in America. I recommend taking the journey.

Tonight was Julia's and Ethan's first visit to Holland's lighthouse, Big Red. They had a blast playing in the sand together as I photographed boats coming and going in the busy Holland channel. It was over 70 degrees at sunset and it looked and felt more like July than October.