Search

The Lincoln

These jetties are remnants of man's past attempt to combat the power of Lake Michigan to erode its shoreline. I view these wooden jetties, built to save highway M-116 in Ludington State Park, as ever-changing sculptures. On a still summer's night, I set up the tripod and waited to see whether any magic light would appear. It did.

I think it is so cool how the dune in the foreground of this photograph looks like a porcupine. This is a new vantage point my dad and I discovered today at the Silver Lake State Park. I am certain we will be back here many times in the future with our cameras and I can't wait. F8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Views like this remind me how blessed I am to live along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I am standing atop a high dune near the south end of Silver Lake State Park only a half-hour from home looking north over thousands of acres of dune lands in the park. F22 at 1/4, ISO 140, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

A walk in the Ludington State Park was just what the doctor ordered today. The sunshine and Brad’s company helped calm the unease of COVID-19, even if it was just for a few hours. I chose F22 so that the sunburst, or double sunburst in this case, would appear.

The simplicity of a dune scene on top of the Silver Lake sand dunes interested me and caused me to bring my tripod and camera to a stop. As the sun dropped, the shadows increased and the wind-blown pattern in the sand became distinct. I watched the picture develop wondering how different the view would be from this spot on my next visit.

It is shocking to me that my dad and I have never been to this spot at the Silver Lake State Park before. We have driven our trucks within 100 yards of here, but we have never taken the time to get out of the vehicles and explore the other side of the creek at Ruckel's Bridge. Finding hidden treasures like this is a photographer's version of winning the lotto. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

During most sunsets along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the sun appears to tranquilly disappear below the horizon. However, occasionally at dusk, the sun, clouds, water, and sand mold and blend to create a powerful mixture of molten beauty.

Uplifting Light

My dad and I have found that the best way to photograph lightning is using the longest exposure possible for the given situation. This photograph is a 30-second exposure at F8 and an ISO of 100. It was shot on a sturdy tripod that could withstand the 30 miles-per-hour winds. This fierce thunderstorm headed north very quickly and it took out power in Manistee, Michigan.

With everything shut down, Betsy, Sean, the kids, and I all decided to take a hike at the Lake Michigan Recreation Area between Ludington and Manistee. After we all played in a stream and made a bridge to cross, we found this unique looking stump on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Getting off the couch and getting outside is always so rewarding!

Golden Moment

Workshop

Ludington State Park Vertical

Arrangement

Ludington State Park

Ludington State Park

Summer Nights Dream

Park Effect

Motorists driving along M-116 in Ludington State Park can feast on a view like this. When I was growing up, my parents took me on hundreds of drives along this roadway. I learned that the view can be amazingly different from day to day. That is the real beauty of it. I have also discovered there is never a bad day to view Lake Michigan, only some days more spectacular than others.