Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse

Wave Action

The Ludington South Breakwater Light is enveloped by a wave during the second day of the big Southwester that has stirred Lake Michigan into a frenzy. This is my kind of day. Oh to be back out there driving a self-righting Coast Guard motor lifeboat right now! F4.0 at 1/1250, ISO 200, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Normally by this time in November, Lake Michigan has become too rough for sunset strolls out onto the Ludington North Breakwater. But tonight, it felt more like a warm August night in downtown Ludington.

A far cry from the snowy day five days ago, today looks and feels a lot like summer, with the thermometer surpassing the 60-degree mark. Jeff LaPrad takes the opportunity for one more sail into the sunset at the Ludington pierheads. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Mother Nature was showing off her dramatic self this afternoon. I love when clouds layer like this, with the sun backlighting each layer.

I was headed for Ludington State Park to find my picture of the day when I spotted these God beams over Lake Michigan. I diverted to Stearns Park and am now appreciating the gorgeous backdrop behind the Ludington lighthouse. F5.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

The golden rays of light over Lake Michigan were drawing a large crowd tonight down at Stearns Park. I ran out on the pier and tried to make a photograph with a fresh view of the Ludington North Breakwater Light and pier before the rays disappeared. I made it by about 30 seconds. F22.0 at 0.5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

This is the highlight of tonight's sunset. For less than a minute the color in the sky is being reflected brilliantly on the railings of the new walkway in Ludington harbor. I expose for the highlights to make them stand out. F4.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

With the stress and fear that COVID-19 has created for everyone worldwide, it sure is nice to be able to drive down to Ludington’s Stearns Beach and watch a calming sunset. This pandemic has proven to me that Ludington is “Home” for me and where I belong.

Happy Thanksgiving! Today in Ludington the weather was gray and ugly almost the entire day. But just before sunset, the sun broke through the cloud layer and everything turned neon orange and pink. Luckily, I was ready and waiting at the end of the new pier near the Loomis Street Boat Ramp. F22.0 at 1.0, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

Bone chilling temperatures today made it very difficult to take this photograph. My fingers were so cold I could barely operate my camera. With a huge rush of adrenalin from seeing the incredible sunset unfolding before my eyes, I was able to push through the pain and make the needed adjustments. F5.0 at 1/6400, ISO 100, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

God beams were shining bright this afternoon at Stearns Beach in Ludington. One positive of COVID-19 is that it has tuned our 366 Project into a hyper-local book project. Besides my dad’s and my book on the Ludington State Park and his 50 Year Book, this book will have more shots from Mason County than any project we have ever done.

With temperatures in single digits the last few days, it didn't take long for Ludington North Breakwater Light to become a giant ice sculpture. The mix of light, wind, and blowing snow turned the frigid waters of Lake Michigan a gorgeous green color this morning. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

I knew steam would be rising from icy Lake Michigan when the sun came up on this 10-degree morning. I got out early to photograph Ludington harbor from near the Ludington South Breakwater Light. I am pleasantly surprised to see this outbound tug and barge come into view to complete my picture. F4.5 at 1/320, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

This day started with a massive double rainbow in the west and now we have some of the largest, most distinct God beams I have ever seen. Days like today make my job as a photographer a whole lot easier, but more importantly, more fun. F11 at 1/60, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 145mm

By setting my camera aperture to F22 and shooting directly into the sun, I was able to make it appear like the Ludington North Breakwater Light had a crown of sunshine. Shooting on full auto would have never allowed for this look or feel. At our weekend workshops, we teach our students how to use their own cameras on full manual. F22 at 1/80, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

The God beams have quickly disappeared and now the sky is flaming red, yellow, and orange. My favorite part of this composition is the lone fisherman standing at the end of the breakwall. He became the little person in the big world and he gives the photograph a sense of scale. The tiny fisherman makes the sky seem 10 times more powerful. F2.8 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

The God beams have quickly disappeared and now the sky is flaming red, yellow, and orange. My favorite part of this composition is the lone fisherman standing at the end of the breakwall. He became the little person in the big world and he gives the photograph a sense of scale. The tiny fisherman makes the sky seem 10 times more powerful. F2.8 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

The rich blue winter sky and brilliant sunshine are making my day as I venture with ice cleats out the ice-coated Ludington South Breakwater. The South Breakwater Light looks like a white candle this morning. F7.1 at 1/800, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I have always been impressed with the brilliant engineering of the Ludington North Breakwater Light. Obviously it was designed well before computers were ever imagined, but they still had the foresight to make the portholes line up with each other on opposing sides so that the sunlight during a sunset would shine through the entire lighthouse. F2.8 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm