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Pier catwalks are a photographer's friend. They add interest to lighthouse photographs and sometimes can be an interesting main subject. Standing close to one of the catwalk stanchions, I compose a picture that has immediacy, dynamic angles, and leading lines. It is also a fresh view of the Grand Haven pier and lighthouses. F5 at 0.3, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

The Budweiser Clydesdales have been a favorite icon for the Reed family for decades because of the Ludington Beverage Company. A few years ago my uncle, Budde Reed, purchased a life-size statue of a Budweiser Clydesdale for the front lawn of Ludington Beverage. Today, I took Julia to see the statue and to make my photo of the day. F6.3 at 1/400, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

One of my photography obsessions involves photographing life rings, wherever they appeal to my eye. Lake Michigan is relatively calm this evening but this life ring and others hanging on the Grand Haven pier catwalk are ready and waiting for any time they are needed. Lake Michigan waves are a force to respect and, at times, fear. F22 at 1/60, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 19mm

After waiting without success for a pair of sandhill cranes to show up along the Pere Marquette River and resume their courting ritual, I find myself zeroing in on the sun rising in front of the hardwood forest east of the marsh. F5.6 at 1/160, ISO 100, 500 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 700 mm

As a young boy I used to come down to Grand Haven with my dad every summer for the Coast Guard Festival. As I have gotten older and busier with life and my dad has retired from the Coast Guard, we haven't been down to Grand Haven much in the last few years. Tonight was a quiet night along the shores of Lake Michigan, but I am looking forward to a busy summer night in Grand Haven when hundreds of people are walking the pier. F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

It looked like the clouds were weeping today along the Lake Michigan shoreline in downtown Ludington. We have photographed God beams often and several big rainstorms, but these clouds and rays looked different. I was excited to capture this phenomenon with my camera so I could better explain to people what I witnessed.

Today this piece of grass growing on the banks of Baldwin Lake became my subject for my photo of the day. My dad and I did a photo talk and book signing at the Flat River Community Library in Greenville. Before the event, we drove around the beautiful little town of Greenville and found this photograph. F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 500, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

By using my external flash unit, I was able to partially freeze the motion of the small breaking wave right in front of my camera while using a slow enough shutter speed to show motion in the water in the distance. The flash also allowed me to shoot at F22, which in turn, allowed my photograph to be sharp from front to back. F22 at 1/4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Admiring the beauty of this blossom, I can't help but wonder how the local fruit trees are going to fare with the frosty weather the weatherman is predicting. I'm glad I am a photographer right now instead of a fruit farmer. F8.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105mm

I wish Ludington had a cool lit catwalk on top of its breakwall like Grand Haven does. The lights on the catwalk definitely add a romantic feeling to the photographs. I bet that Grand Haven has a lot fewer boats hit their breakwall every year because it is so well lit. F22 at 4 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 30mm

I remember being about 12 years old and making my counselor laugh out loud with my unexpected answer to the question she asked me. She asked if I could be any animal, what would I be. I quickly answered, “a squirrel.” She said she had never had someone give that answer before and was curious why. I said because they are clever, playful, and often up to no good.

My 10-month-old son Ethan is not always fond of naps. However, he will sleep in his car seat. So, tonight after work I loaded him into my truck and we drove around town for about an hour. I photo-hunted and he finally slept. I found this tree trunk on Ferry Street. I loved all of the textures and colors in this photo. F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 24 mm

Age and Beauty

I pass by this horse every week on my way to and from West Shore Community College. During the winter, Julie Schroeder's Arabian Aadaraan (aka Casey) tends to stay in the barn or close to the barn at the corner of Fisher and Peterson Roads. Today, I am glad to find the 29-year-old Arabian chestnut gelding basking in the sunshine close to the road. F3.2 at 1/800, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

This rooster on Morton Road, owned by Mark and Katie Cooper, is definitely the cock of the walk! He thinks he is hot stuff and wanted me and the rest of the world to know it. F2.8 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Lined up in the sand like beached sailboats, frozen sand sculptures created by the wind catch my eye along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Looking down as you walk often leads to interesting discoveries that might easily be missed. F22 at 1/60, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 165mm

On Earth Day I am delighted to find a tree that appears to be the perfect color and design complement to Leonard and Bev Gavigan's grand Ludington home on Court Street. F4.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 19 mm

One of Michigan's most beautiful economic success stories is the renovation and adaptive reuse of many of the buildings of the former Traverse City State Hospital as shops, offices, restaurants, and more. As an artist, I appreciate seeing many of the historic buildings on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons restored to their 19th century and early 20th century architectural grandeur. F9 at 1/800, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

My aunt, Vicky Shimel, called me today to tell me that on Victory Drive, not too far from her home, she spotted a heart on an apple tree in a neighbor’s yard. I drove there a few hours later and made this image. We always appreciate getting photo tips from people.

On my way to play basketball tonight, I noticed the shadow of the American flag on the side of West Shore Bank. I used my wide-angle lens to distort the building and make it appear larger and more castle-like than it already is. The gold light from the setting sun and blue sky also worked in my favor. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm