Summer
Classic View
Like a scene out of the past, a classic wooden speedboat docked at Pentwater Yacht Club brings back my visions of the 1950s and 1960s, when such boats were popular on area lakes.
Old Presque Isle Light
Built in 1840, the Old Presque Isle Light is one of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The charming structure served as an active lighthouse until 1871 when it was replaced by the nearby, far taller New Presque Isle Light.
F10 at 1/60, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm
A Walk To Remember
Couples of all ages love to take leisurely strolls along the winding shores of Lake Michigan. The sound of the undulating waves, the smell of the beach grass, and the feeling of sand between your toes is so inviting that you can't resist the temptations of our West Michigan shorelines.
Beach Party
I think it must be the photojournalist in me that has always rebelled against setting up props for the fine art photographs I make. I greatly admire fine art photographers who employ props in a way that moves me and tells a story. One of the Michigan Upper Peninsula photographic artists I most admire, Paul Arno Rose, is a master at employing canoes, classic small boats, old chairs and even a Thermos as props to tell beautiful visual stories. After having spent a third of my life as a newspaper photographer, I tend toward the “found” picture. By that I mean finding what is already there in the world and documenting it. I have driven through Stearns Park in Ludington tens of thousands of times, rarely finding a picture. On this summer day in 2019, I found very picturesque these beach umbrellas set up by beachgoers
pastoral scene
I was on a scouting expedition to find good locations for photographing fall color when I came across this pastoral scene along Sugar Grove Road west of Round Lake. The red barns caught my eye, but it was the sheep in the foreground that made me stop to make a photograph.
God Beam
Heaven knows how many times a God beam has lit the Ludington lighthouse. But when I saw this beauty shining down, I felt its spiritual quality more strongly than any other God beam I have seen before or since. On this calm May day of 1993, I was already underway in my tiny Boston Whaler skiff searching for photo opportunities because of the dramatic clouds. I quickly maneuvered closer to the lighthouse and centered the iconic Ludington landmark beneath the glorious beam. I laid over the low gunwale and fired away for about 20 breathtaking seconds before the clouds and spotlight moved away. As a longtime Lake Michigan mariner, there have been many times during the calmest or stormiest voyages that I have felt God’s presence; this was one of those times. As a longtime photographer, I have learned to better know when I am being presented with an extraordinary view with or without looking through the viewfinder; this was one of those views. The image I was blessed to make that day more than a quarter century ago remains my favorite calm day photograph with the Ludington lighthouse in the scene. In 2007, “God Beam” was selected for the cover of an inspirational book titled Hope: pure and simple. The book features “316 thoughts to lift your soul” by famous Christian author Max Lucado. I was humbled to have an image that means a great deal to me personally grace the cover of Pastor Lucado’s hopeful book.
Light the Way
The Algorail, a frequent visitor to the Ludington harbor, used two powerful spotlights to guide herself quietly into port. I set my camera to 800 ISO in order to stop the ship
Gem Stones - Panoramic
Over thousands of years, wind driven sand has polished smooth millions of stones along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The flat-sided stones are called ventifacts. I made this photograph near the Big Point Sable Lighthouse while on a hike to the northern boundary of the Ludington State Park.
Rachel’s Day 199 of 366 - July 17, 2020
Todd, Brad, Julia, and I set out on the hike tonight to Big Sable Point Lighthouse. Their main goal was to shoot the Comet NEOWISE over the lighthouse. My goal was to make my first image of the state park’s 112-foot, black-and-white centerpiece. After making the image I had envisioned for years, I sat back and enjoyed the experience of the comet with a night full of laughter and memories.
Making Memories
Generations of families have enjoyed decades of fun and quality time together while camping at one of the three amazing campgrounds in Ludington State Park. Most families have a favorite spot that they try to reserve in January for the coming year. Good food, laughter, and fun stories are often shared around the campfire and great memories are made for all.
