Search

Purple loosestrife catches my eye in a marsh along old Pere Marquette Highway. Upon closer inspection, I discover evening primrose and decide to focus on the yellow flowers instead and use the purple loosestrife as a complementary backdrop. F4 at 1/100, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

Flowering bull thistle grabs my attention before its sharp, prickly leaves and stems can tear into my legs as I walk through a swamp. I find it fascinating that something so beautiful in nature can so quickly cause harm to a person or animal. F5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

The word swamp does not have a good connotation for a lot of people. But those who venture into one of Michigan's many swamps and marshes have the opportunity to discover plenty of beauty. This swamp bling catches dew, sunlight, and my eye. F6.3 at 1/125, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

This morning I have headed for the marshlands of Northern Michigan to see what I can find blooming. In a meadow at the edge of a marsh near the Pere Marquette River I spot goldenrod and then see a lone butterfly land on one of the flowers. I quickly and quietly approach to get as close as my large telephoto lens will focus to maximize impact and minimize depth of field. F5 at 1/500, ISO 200, 300mm lens at 300mm

Nothing brightens my photographic day more than finding sunflowers in the Michigan countryside. We got tipped off about a stand of sunflowers growing at the Stakenas farm on US31 north of Scottville. The afternoon backlighting gives the sunflowers translucent brilliance and definition. F8 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Local knowledge and connections are invaluable when it comes to outdoor photography. One of the Stakenas boys from Scottville passed word onto us that they had some beautiful sunflowers growing on their land across the road from their farm on US31. Luckily for us, the first attempt turned out great because of the gorgeous light hitting the sunflowers. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 840mm

It is fun to experiment with different styles of photography. I knew I wanted to use the flowers more as shapes and designs than as a typical subject. I exposed to blow out the background, which would allow the stems to appear darker.

Timing in photography is everything. Three weeks earlier on a Wednesday this farm field near Yuba, Michigan, northeast of Traverse City was filled with sunflowers in full bloom. I made a good image that day but really wanted to return during one of our Tuesdays Project shoots. Today, my son Brad and I return to find only a handful of sunflowers still in bloom. We make the most of the late bloomers. F18 at 1/500, ISO 800, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

With the bright sun overhead, I positioned myself so that I could photograph the sunlight coming through this beautiful little sunflower, while still having the farm and clouds in the background. This photograph makes me feel warm and happy. F22 at 1/250, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

It is hard to beat Michigan wildflowers and bright blue skies that are full of giant white billowy clouds. My job today as an outdoor photographer was to find the flowers and line up all of the beautiful elements together in one photograph. The old abandoned shale quarry near Alpena, Michigan was the perfect setting. F20 at 1/400, ISO 800, 14mm lens at 14mm

In my mind's eye, the scene in front of me at this flooded old shale quarry west of Alpena, Michigan is most incongruous. Dead and dying trees appear almost colorless while brilliant yellow goldenrod along the water's edge thrives. I spend a long time fitting these two subjects together to make an image that I find oddly and artistically harmonious. F22 at 1/30, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 16mm

I am about to get back in the truck after taking a picture near Alpena, Michigan when a bumblebee flies past me and lands on a knapweed flower. Bumblebees have fascinated me since childhood. Their colorful, fuzzy bodies and buzzing sound make them my favorite Michigan insect. F9 at 1/500, ISO 400, 105mm lens at 105mm

My dad and I have both photographed Queen Anne's Lace several times this year for the Tuesdays Project, but today I tried to do it in a more unique way. I used my 105mm macro lens and got extremely close to one section of a dew-covered Queen Anne's Lace. I love how macro photography can make the ordinary look extraordinary. F14 at 1/500, ISO 800, 105mm lens at 105mm

Queen Annes Lace

I did the last few work projects, and then hit the stores for Thanksgiving groceries. I helped my mom get the farmhouse ready for dinner tomorrow before I went home. The house is especially quiet without the kids here. Lately, I can feel the depression trying to pull me in. I had decided earlier in the day that I was done with the 366 Project. I am not happy with the photos lately; 40 minutes before today was out, I forced myself to make an image.

I am driving along Pere Marquette Highway en route to Muskegon when some fluorescent green algae catches my eye on a roadside pond. I know the bright green color could make a good backdrop if I can find a subject to place in front of it. Five minutes of exploring later, there it is! F4 at 1/800, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

Michigan wildflowers are always so much fun to photograph. By getting extremely close with my macro zoom lens, I omitted the cement and junk that were cluttering this scene at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park. Because of the wind I had to raise my ISO up to 1600 in order to have a shutter speed fast enough to freeze the motion of the blowing flowers. F8 at 1/125, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

A male American goldfinch perched on a flower at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon looks canary yellow to me. I later learn that wild canary is another name for the brilliant yellow bird. I see why. F4.5 at 1/640, ISO 3200, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

All I can think of is Peter Cottontail on the bunny trail as I spot a rabbit on a wildflower-lined trail at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon. The song about Peter Cottontail runs through my head, causing me to smile as I push the shutter button before the bunny decides to hop down the trail. F4.5 at 1/500, ISO 3200, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I enjoy hunting for the prettiest flower in a field of Michigan wildflowers. It didn't take me long to spot this gem of a Jerusalem artichoke tonight at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, Michigan. F2.8 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 30mm