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After capturing the Pere Marquette Sunrise photograph, I put my dad

My dad and I always look to put S-curves into our compositions. Tonight while shooting inside the Ludington channel, I noticed an S-curve that kept appearing on the water surface. I waited till the light got lower in the sky and made this photo. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 800, 70-200 mm lens at 98 mm

Coast Guard Motor Life Boat 44345 is revered by many members of the Reed family. She always took care of her crew and brought them back to shore safely, including my dad. Sadly, she is sitting outside on blocks waiting for a home at the future maritime museum in Ludington. It kills me to see such a fine vessel in less than perfect condition. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I admire the craftsmanship and the beauty of Jeff LaPrad's wooden vessel as it sails past me onto Lake Michigan into another spectacular Ludington sunset. I have seen the handmade sailboat before and longed to be able to photograph it closer to my vantage point. Tonight I am on the end of the South Breakwater and the view is picture perfect. F3.2 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200 mm at 200 mm

Fishermen fly a large national ensign while trolling for salmon on Lake Michigan. I like their American spirit; I wish them luck catching fish this evening. The intense sunlight penetrates the flag and projects the color while the rest of the scene remains colorless. F5.0 at 1/8000, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Every time I drive by this tree on US10 just before Chase, Michigan, I check it out to see if it is ready to be photographed. On this frigid February morning as two of my best friends, Sarah Genson and Rachel Gaudette, and I are heading across the state on a photo mission, we get out of my truck to make this image. Like usual, we are laughing at each other the entire time.

Everyone loves seeing apple blossoms decorate the countryside of the Lake Michigan shoreline counties in springtime, but I am among the many who get just as excited to see the apple trees loaded with apples ready for harvest at the end of summer and during fall.

Climbing to the top of the dune behind Big Sable Point Lighthouse, I am out of breath but have no time to lose. The clouds and color look nice and a northbound freighter is passing by. I work quickly to fine tune my camera position, set up the tripod, get the horizon line straight and shoot. F3.5 at 1/60, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 16mm

Taken at Gerlach Workshop in Munising

Cruising Lake Michigan

Raging Manabezho

The 410-foot carferry Badger was completely reflected in a small puddle near its dock tonight during a dramatic sunset. I slowly walked into the middle of the puddle and after the water calmed back down, I made this image. Notice the large triangle in the foreground that comes to a point at the reflected smoke stack.

I abruptly awoke one Sunday morning at 5 a.m. and could not get a haunting image of the Pere Marquette River out of my mind. I was positive that if I ventured out to our property and stood in the exact location I had envisioned, I would see a beautiful sunrise. I shot out of bed and was on my way. I guess you could say I got bit by the photo bug in my sleep.

The carferry Badger makes the turn to head out of Ludington harbor on a summer evening.

This remains one of the most priceless moments I have ever captured with a camera. On an unseasonably cold October day, I saw a flock of sheep marching single-file across a field. I sought permission from Bernal Burke to venture into his Carr Settlement fields. I arrived where the sheep were heading with just enough time to set up my camera. The lead sheep turned sideways, and the next sheep in line followed his lead, setting up a barricade to protect the flock. As they maneuvered, huge snowflakes began to fall. It was the first snow of the season, and the lead sheep did not appear happy. For many years after my camera froze that moment, a framed print of this image usually hung in a prominent spot in our art fair tent. The image caused a lot of laughter as art fair patrons attempted to mimic the lead sheep’s expression and even try to make sheep sounds. It made people happy and brought us some comic relief from our long weekend grind on the Michigan art fair circuit. I will always be grateful to Bernal Burke for being so kind, accommodating and trusting to allow me to roam freely on his land. Besides being a farmer, Bernal served for many years as the Mason County Treasurer. I always admired and respected him when, as a reporter, I covered county government. I admired him as a farmer just as much. I believe we shared mutual respect, which meant the world to me.

I didn't start out to shoot another ice shot today, but I find this one simply stunning. I shoot some shots with seagulls in the foreground, others with seagulls flying. Then I make this picture with no seagulls because I decide the birds are distracting the viewer from appreciating the beauty of the ice-coated rocks that caught my eye in the first place. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Fast Tango passes close by Ludington while competing in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. I like the look of this moment in the viewfinder as the North American 40 and another sailboat race toward Mackinac Island. F4.0 at 1/5000, ISO 400, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

This sign above Pere Marquette Sport Center in downtown Ludington leaps out with its message to fishermen. I have fond memories of going into this store as a boy to buy bait and other sporting goods with my grandfathers, father and brother. It was called Tuck's Sport Shop then and was owned by our neighbors, Tuck and Ivadel Daugherty. F11.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 100 mm