Miscellaneous Images

This historic yard gate on Mackinac Island caught my eye as I was passing by it today. I got close to the gate with my wide-angle lens to control the background. When I was making this composition I knew the bright green grass in the background would look better as a black and white photograph. By making the photograph black and white, it also gives it a more historic feel. F10 at 1/125, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 44mm

The 4th of July in Ludington: great family times capped off by a glorious ending. Family and friends are gathered on the Crosswinds beach at the mouth of Ludington harbor for a spectacular Ludington 4th of July fireworks show. But perhaps the best way to celebrate our nation's independence is to think of all those who have fought to preserve it. F8.0 at 25.0, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 20 mm

My cousin Casey and her family are staying at my house for a few days this week. They brought their beautiful golden retriever, Oakley, with them this trip. I think Oakley should be a famous dog model because he is so handsome and friendly. He even smiles for the camera!

George Wilson, more commonly known as "Big George," has been leading the Scottville Clown Band for over 60 years. Even though Big George is getting ready to pass his plunger onto his son George C. Wilson, he will always be one of the biggest Mason County icons of all time. F10 at 1/640, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I think I have never seen the East Ludington Avenue residential entryway to downtown Ludington look as beautiful. Lee and Beatrice Farmer are among the many homeowners lining the avenue who take pride in restoring and maintaining their homes. Their "painted lady" at 716 E. Ludington Avenue is one of my favorite grand old Ludington homes. F8.0 at 1/100, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

My cousin Ben married his best friend Sam today and Rachel and I were fortunate to be included in their special day. Ben and Sam are always the life of the party, and we all had a great time celebrating their beautiful love story. Their wedding was at a gorgeous venue near St. Louis, Missouri.

A seaplane flies through the clouds above the Straits of Mackinac en route from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200mm at 200mm

My dad has made several great photographs of this World War I memorial in Lakeview Cemetery, but I have never tried until today. The quality of light was great and luckily for me the American flags that were placed by local veterans were still on display. F9.0 at 1/80, ISO 250, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Photographing Michigan is for Brad and me as much about experiencing Michigan as it is about making images. We have stopped along one of our favorite stretches of rocky shoreline between Petoskey and Charlevoix to immerse ourselves in Michigan artwork. F10 at 1/60, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Frank Banko was drawing a crowd of strangers and passers-by tonight along the Ludington waterfront as he played his electronic Roland accordion. I asked the group if they minded if I documented their fun with my camera. They told me it wasn't a problem as long as I sang and danced along. It was a great moment! F8.0 at 1/100, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Yesterday evening, my dad, Rachel, Julia, and I decided to walk out to Big Sable Point Lighthouse just before dark to photograph the Comet NEOWISE. It was one of the clearest night skies I have ever witnessed. We counted dozens of shooting stars, and all made strong images of the famous lighthouse and the rare Comet NEOWISE. I had to try and make an image of my dad doing what he does best.

Tonight, I took Julia with me to one of my dad's and my photo workshops at Big Sable Point Lighthouse and told her if she was well behaved during the seminar then I would take her to the top afterwards. Julia made sand angels while my dad and I talked to the workshop attendees. Julia loved her first view from the top of "Poppy's Lighthouse!" F16.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Today a group of friends and I fished in the Ruby Salmon Fishing Tournament. My friend Paul Cooper had his hands full as he reeled in a nice 17-pound king salmon in this photograph. Salmon fishing on the Great Lakes is a several-billion-dollar-a-year industry and Ludington is one of the most successful fishing ports in all of the Great Lakes. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 320, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Rachel had never had a chance to salmon fish on Lake Michigan before, so my dad, Debbie, Rachel, and I decided to hire Hiatus Charters to take us fishing. Our friends, captains Micah Schmidt and Adam Knudsen, took us fishing off Big Sable Point Lighthouse. They handed the first pole to hit to Rachel and showed her how to fight the fish. After almost a half an hour, Rachel landed a 28-pound monster King Salmon.

Bortell's Fisheries has been a summer-time favorite for locals and visitors of West Michigan for over 100 years. One of my very best childhood memories was going to Bortell's with my dad and my older brother Tad and fishing in the ponds on their property. The Bortell family then cooked our fish so we could enjoy them for dinner. F14.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I headed to the Western Michigan Fairgrounds in Ludington tonight to find my photograph of the day for the 365 Project. I knew I wanted to take a long time exposure of one of the rides on the Midway, but I wasn't sure which one would work the best until I saw the Zipper. This is one of my favorite photographs of the 365 Project so far. F20.0 at 4.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I have passed by this sign montage at Bass Lake many times this year but today the light falling on it and the surrounding forest is exquisite. Now is the time to make this arrangement of Bass Lake cottage-owner and home-owner names my picture of the day. F4.0 at 1/100, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

My life-long friend Christine Warne was busy painting a bird on the face of Anna Stechschulte at Friday Night Live earlier tonight. Christine was volunteering her time and talents for the COVE (Communities Overcoming Violent Encounters) booth. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I have always wanted to try skim boarding on the shores of Lake Michigan, but have never had the opportunity. Logan Hansen, a 17 year old from Battle Creek, Michigan, made skim boarding look easy today on the beach at South Haven. Logan practices as often as he can and has been skim boarding for four years. I think it would take most people a lifetime to reach his level of skill. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 600mm