Search

 

I have witnessed several thousand sunsets on the Ludington waterfront, but I never tire of looking for that next spectacular one, especially for the ones that are dramatically different from all the others. On this April evening, a front was approaching from the northwest just as the sun was setting. The bottom of the clouds looked like fiery flames as they swept toward shore. I am glad I was there to witness and make art of this sunset.

As I could see the northern lights with my naked eyes dancing in the background, I knew they would be reflected in the strangely calm Sauble River near the outlet into Lake Michigan. The three minute exposure captured the beauty I was experiencing. Nikon D850. F2.8 at 188 seconds, ISO 400. 14-24mm lens at 24mm. On a tripod without a flash. March 20, 2021.

This is my third photo from early Saturday morning of the northern lights and the Milky Way from the Ludington State Park. Big Sable Point Lighthouse is in the distance and the Lake Michigan shoreline is reflecting the lights. D850. F2.8 at 97 seconds, ISO 800. 14-24mm lens at 24mm. On a tripod without a flash. March 20, 2021 at 6:23am.

Northern Lights at First Curve

 

Tulip Time in Holland, Michigan is always a fun and beautiful celebration to be a part of. Team Reed loves to explore all the public tulip gardens with our cameras. We recommend photographing the tulips with the largest telephoto lens that you can so that you can have a super shallow depth of field. I shot these with a 600mm lens with a 1.4 extender at 850mm.

Like ghost ships, the twin carferries Badger and Spartan emerge from the fog while docked in Ludington harbor. For as long as I can remember, I have loved viewing the ships at their docks or underway. Perhaps, the most fascinating aspect is seeing how dramatically changing light and atmosphere can change the view.

A puddle left by an overnight rainstorm mirrors the tugboat Edward E. Gillen. Perhaps it is because of my nautical background, but tugboats tend to attract my photo eye. Maybe it is simply that so many of them seem to have such character.

I can get lost every spring in the beauty of gardens full of tulips in Holland, Michigan. I love studying all that color and finding the picture within the picture - a tulip or two that stands out in the crowd.

Star Trillium

 

 

A pot of gold at the end of the rainbow applies to photography. One summer evening, shortly after telling my wife it was "rainbow weather," we had walked into P.M. Steamers Restaurant when I heard a patron exclaim there were two rainbows. I bolted out the door and raced a couple of blocks to get to a good vantage point to feature the carferry Badger beneath the rainbow. I shot for about two minutes before one rainbow disappeared and the other became less vivid. Good timing makes good pictures; so does always carrying the camera, and postponing dinner.

Farming remains a major, vital industry throughout Michigan, including Scottville. I admire farmers like Tyler Martz who have the work ethic and expertise to till the land. Martz was preparing this field for planting asparagus. The grain storage and other structures of Acres Co-Op, Inc. tower behind Martz's tractor.

Workshop at Ludington State Park

Little Sable Lighthouse

Little Sable Lighthouse