Search

Ludington Frozen Light Gold

Sunbather

The Star Line Ferry Radisson makes way past Round Island Lighthouse in route to Mackinac Island. I photographed this scene from Mission Point Resort the morning of October 21, 2019 as seas were building in the Straits of Mackinac.

I love watching the natural world come to life along the Pere Marquette River. It is Saturday and I have slowed down to savor the morning, quietly watching the river flow by our cabin. F6.3 at 1/125, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

The rugged Lake Superior shoreline at Whitefish Point is a golden place to be on this August evening. Uprooted elsewhere by the power of Lake Superior waves, these trees have been carried by wind and wave energy to this prominent point and driven ashore. Seeing the forces of nature at work is one of the most fascinating aspects of being an outdoor photographer.

Golden Moment

365 Week

Hiking out the breakwater to the Ludington lighthouse is a tradition for summer visitors and area residents. I enjoy the hike, but often I like to watch from a distance and photograph the people as added ingredients to my pictures.

Today I stumbled upon a beautiful feather that was wedged between some wild grasses and a fallen tree along the shores of the Pere Marquette River in front of our family cabin. I had no idea that my dad had been out shooting in almost the same exact spot a few hours earlier. That is the second time that has happened so far with the 365 Project. F2.8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

White River Light Station looks frozen in time on this January morning. I love the classic design of this historic lighthouse and keepers' dwelling. I am grateful to the Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers and their many volunteers and donors who maintain the lighthouse and keep it open for tours.

Michigan's first river to be officially designated a Michigan Natural River, the Jordan River looks wild and natural to me this morning after my good photographer friend, Mike Schlitt of Charlevoix, led me to one of his favorite Jordan Valley photography spots. Many of the tamarack trees are still golden despite high winds that stripped away many of their needles.

What a way to celebrate the official arrival of Spring. It is Sunday evening and any visitors to the Silver Lake sand dunes at Silver Lake State Park have long since left their footprints behind. I alone am appreciating these grand dunes. I feel privileged. F22.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

I have always liked "Charlie Brown" trees, the small ones with not enough branches to make what most people would choose for a Christmas tree. It is those spaces between the branches that allow both the tiny tamarack tree and the meadow near Big Bass Lake in Lake County to stand out, making me pause to take this shot.

My dad and I have been blessed with many great employees at our downtown Ludington photography gallery. Sarah Genson, our general manager, and Rachel Gaudette, our assistant manager, are both awesome people and managers. This is an early morning photograph of the four of us near Fort Michilimackinac, which can be seen in the background. F8 at 1/200, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 24mm

Workshop

Moody Blues

Trillium Grand Rapids Aman Park May

The waters of Lake Michigan were amazingly calm and brilliant today along the shores of Ludington State Park near the First Curve on M-116. F9.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

My son Brad and I are always telling photographers that October is our favorite month for Michigan photography. On this mid-October evening, workshop students gathered at the Sable River Outlet are experiencing for themselves why we say that. It doesn't get much better than this!

Michigan berries appear to be bursting out of the dark bog they are growing in on a country road in Lake County. It is early November, a perfect time of year to make this image in this place. I will write that down in my mental notebook for future reference. Experience is a good teacher.