Summer

During one of our advanced photography workshops, Rachel and I tried to convince several students to walk out the Manistee pier in the rain with us to hopefully get a shot of the lighthouse if the sun broke out. None of the other students took the risk. Just after we made it to this spot, the rain poured down on us as hard as I have ever seen it rain. We had no rain gear on and our cameras and lenses were literally filling with rain. I told her to leave her lens cap on and to preset her exposure based on the sun popping out of the clouds because I knew it would be a one-shot deal. By the second shot the end of the lens would be so full of raindrops, the shot would be ruined. Luckily for us, the sun did break through the clouds for a few glorious moments and we each got one shot off that was properly exposed and in focus.

After being stuck behind the slowest driver in Mason County and not being able to pass them, I was sick to my stomach for missing a shot out at the Ludington State Park of the largest double rainbow I had ever seen in my life. I missed it by less than 30 seconds. Disappointed, I drove to the Ludington City Beach to watch the sunset and to cool off. To my surprise, we had a colorful sunset appear. Luckily for us, my dad captured the double rainbow and it has become one of our fastest selling images of all time and made the cover of our newest book Wonderous West Shore.

While shooting photographs out at Legends Ranch today, I noticed an old canoe up near a tree in long grass. The texture of the grass, the warm sunshine, and the shadows created by the tree, turned this ordinary scene extraordinary.

United States Coast Guard Helicopter HH-65c 6517 out of Traverse City was flying a search pattern tonight over Lake Michigan. The men and women of the Coast Guard are well trained and hard working and in times of great need, our community of Ludington truly embraces their presence along our shores. F4.5 at 1/1600, ISO 320, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Where in the world was this photograph taken? It was actually captured at the elbow of the breakwall in Ludington. I set my camera just a few inches above the surface of Lake Michigan and used a super wide-angle lens to make the rocks lining the pier look like massive cliffs. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

Where in the world was this photograph taken? It was actually captured at the elbow of the breakwall in Ludington. I set my camera just a few inches above the surface of Lake Michigan and used a super wide-angle lens to make the rocks lining the pier look like massive cliffs. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

Shoreline Trek

I wonder how many times since I was a young boy that I have climbed to the top of the dunes on Hamlin Lake to take in this incredible natural view. My son Brad looks like an ant in the distance as he makes his way to a spot from which he plans to make a more intimate image of the landscape. I can't get back here soon enough!

For a few precious minutes, the light of the rising sun and the sunlight reflected from the setting moon balance on an April morning along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Pentwater. Sunrise beach walks bring me alive as I watch the world about me come to life.

Hamlin Lake is one of Michigan’s largest man-made lakes and is certainly one of the most popular. The lake is named after Hannibal Hamlin, who was Vice President of United States under Abraham Lincoln. He lived before the advent of human flight, so sadly, he never got to see this view of his namesake.

Onekema

Red White and Blue Sailboat

Little Sable Point Lighthouse was shining bright tonight. I always love when the bright sunlight hits the Fresnel lens inside the top of the lighthouse and reflects in unique ways. I also love looking at Little Sable on nights like these where one side is brighter, and the other side is in the shadows. The details of the red brick on the brighter side are visually stimulating to me.

White Fish Point Lighthouse

Home feels good tonight. I took time to explore around the yard after unpacking the camper. I have always thought Queen Anne’s lace does not get the attention it deserves. I decided to use her for my star.

 

One of the most spectacular lightning storms I have witnessed in my lifetime showed up on my wife Debbie’s birthday, September 4, 2014. We were guests at my Aunt Carol Garneau’s home on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Ludington Harbor. While photographing bolt after bolt as cells of the storm rolled past me for more than an hour, this granddaddy of them all exploded over the top of the Ludington lighthouse. I made this 30-second time-exposure image with my 500-millimeter Nikon telephoto lens from an open window of Auntie Carol’s second floor art room. I named it Positive Energy because she was always so positive and lit up the world with her presence.

Hamlin Lake is one of Michigan's largest man-made lakes and is certainly one of the most popular. The lake is named after Hannibal Hamlin, who was Vice President of United States under Abraham Lincoln. He lived before the advent of human flight, so sadly, he never got to see this view of his namesake.

Pentwater North Pierhead Light attracts many people on summer nights, but its main purpose is to help guide boats into Pentwater harbor. Its conical tower stands 43-feet high to help mariners, find the harbor by day. By night, a green light on top of the tower flashes to aid boaters in finding the harbor entrance.

Watching from atop the Ridge Trail as this lone vessel sailed north on a September Lake Michigan cruise, I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of times I had cruised the same waters aboard Coast Guard rescue boats. When not too busy focusing on a mission, I was always awe-struck by the natural beauty and remoteness of the dunes and forests these recreational voyagers were undoubtedly appreciating this day. It made me long for those Coast Guard boat rides, both the calm ones and the really rough ones. Big Point Sable is on average the windiest spot on Lake Michigan.