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My cousin Ryan, my wife Betsy, and I have a standing joke about black and white photography and "only seeing light and shadow." I am chuckling to myself about that as I make this photograph of a large tree inside Stearns Park in Ludington. F11.0 at 0.25, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

The family and I spent the morning playing golf at Golden Sands Golf Course near Silver Lake on this 4th of July. On the way home, I found these wildflowers at the corner of 56th Avenue and Deer Road. The amazing clouds and gorgeous light made a wonderful backdrop for this scene.

Our workshop students tonight are getting a lesson in shooting twice as close. I am demonstrating how shooting part of the Ludington lighthouse can result in fresher, more abstract views. They try it and like it. I try it and also like it. F22.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

We had a great day visiting with my sister Julie and her family at their cabin in Luther. On our way home, we could see fireworks in the distance near Baldwin. As we got closer to Wolf Lake, I could tell there were several different people shooting fireworks off. We drove around the lake several times before finding a public place to park and shoot. I was happy my kids were able to watch them, even if they were not Ludington’s!

During our Thursday night workshop tonight I noticed the sun hitting one of these large pieces of limestone. I waited over 30 minutes for the correct angle of sunlight and for a large enough wave to cover the front and backside of the rock. I am not usually a very patient person, but tonight it paid off. F22.0 at 0.6, 100 ISO, 70-200 mm lens at 70 mm

Tonight, Julia, Ethan and I were on the way to Rachel’s house to have dinner with her, her kids, and several of her relatives. Julia spotted this bald eagle on East Hansen Road not too far from Rachel’s house. This was one of the best “eagle trees” I had ever seen, and it was so cool actually witnessing an eagle sitting in it.

A summer night tradition in Ludington: watch the sunset then head downtown for ice cream. House of Flavors has a long line tonight as usual. Seeing families enjoying ice cream together reminds me of all those summer nights my parents took us to House of Flavors (Park Dairy in those days) during Sunday family outings. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 92 mm

There is beauty all around us. Sometimes it appears hidden, or not easily spotted. I have always thought this candle holder was neat. It would always grab my attention as I sat at my patio table, so I decided to focus on it tonight.

The Blu Moon Caf

My son, Ethan, and I have always been obsessed with Italian sports cars, especially Lamborghinis and Ferraris. Tonight, I photographed this Lamborghini Aventador in Ludington. It just happened to be 1:64 scale.

My camera catches a fawn in the morning light. I make the shot and move on so that it can continue to browse in peace with its mother along the west shore of Pere Marquette Lake. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

After sitting for a Reed family portrait with Sue Brown, I found these daisies in my Uncle Budde and Aunt Sheryl's flower garden. Daisies just have a way of making people smile. F4.5 at 1/100, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I was awestruck with the beauty of this fawn and its surroundings in my backyard this morning. My dad is always teaching our workshop students to build “layered cake” photographs with distinct foregrounds, middle grounds, and backgrounds. This might be my best fawn “layered cake” photograph.

The 4th of July in Ludington: great family times capped off by a glorious ending. Family and friends are gathered on the Crosswinds beach at the mouth of Ludington harbor for a spectacular Ludington 4th of July fireworks show. But perhaps the best way to celebrate our nation's independence is to think of all those who have fought to preserve it. F8.0 at 25.0, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 20 mm

George Wilson, more commonly known as "Big George," has been leading the Scottville Clown Band for over 60 years. Even though Big George is getting ready to pass his plunger onto his son George C. Wilson, he will always be one of the biggest Mason County icons of all time. F10 at 1/640, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

My cousin Casey and her family are staying at my house for a few days this week. They brought their beautiful golden retriever, Oakley, with them this trip. I think Oakley should be a famous dog model because he is so handsome and friendly. He even smiles for the camera!

I think I have never seen the East Ludington Avenue residential entryway to downtown Ludington look as beautiful. Lee and Beatrice Farmer are among the many homeowners lining the avenue who take pride in restoring and maintaining their homes. Their "painted lady" at 716 E. Ludington Avenue is one of my favorite grand old Ludington homes. F8.0 at 1/100, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

This photograph reminds me of The Smurfs, one of my favorite cartoons when I was a kid. It would have been awesome to have one of the small blue figurines I had when I was young to stick below this mushroom. F5.6 at 1.3, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

While walking into Dr. Jacob Seng’s chiropractic office to get my adjustment, I spotted this heart-shaped rock. I walked back to my truck and grabbed my camera and tripod and made this image near the entrance to his office.

Another hot day draws a crowd to the Bass Lake Outlet to cool off and have some summer fun. My wife Debbie recalls hiking to the outlet from a Bass Lake cottage her parents rented during summer vacations when she was growing up. Bass Lake is one of those places where summer traditions are built. F6.3 at 1/5000, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm