Water Ripples
Time For Reflection
Photography is always therapeutic for me. The isolation, ruggedness, and wild spirit of Isle Royale has made me more contemplative than usual. As I snap this image, I am busy thinking about what is really important in my life.
Sweet Water
One of my favorite professors when I was a student at Calvin College told me a story recently about his father. His father was from California and every time he came to visit his son at Calvin, he would refer to Lake Michigan as the "sweet water". In California, when they would try to dig wells for drinking water near the coastline of the Pacific Ocean, the water would often be undrinkable due to the salt content. If you were lucky enough to dig a well and hit "sweet water" you were considered very fortunate. Many people today that live near the Great Lakes take them for granted and don't realize how valuable they really are.
Sweet Water - Vertical
One of my favorite professors when I was a student at Calvin College told me a story recently about his father. His father was from California and every time he came to visit his son at Calvin, he would refer to Lake Michigan as the "sweet water". In California, when they would try to dig wells for drinking water near the coastline of the Pacific Ocean, the water would often be undrinkable due to the salt content. If you were lucky enough to dig a well and hit "sweet water" you were considered very fortunate. Many people today that live near the Great Lakes take them for granted and don't realize how valuable they really are.
Tropical Illusion
When I am not working at one of our galleries or taking photographs, I can often be found at the soccer field. As my cousin Ryan and I pulled into the Sterns Park beach in Ludington for a cool-down swim after a few hours of soccer, I noticed a vibrant orange streak of light dancing on the water. Knowing how fast light can change, I did not risk taking time to remove my shin guards and soccer cleats. I ran down to the waters edge and captured the reflections just in time. Needless to say, I got a lot of strange looks as I was photographing that evening.
Rachel's Day 39 of 366 - February 8, 2020
I was attracted to the ice formations in the Ludington Municipal Marina when the reflected clouds composed my shot before my eyes.
Beautiful Tones
As the sun rose over Hamlin Lake this morning during our Picture Perfect Weekend Workshop, I made this image of water ripples. I explained to all the students around me that I have discovered the key to these images is to rob the ISO bank and put that extra light into more depth of field and a faster shutter speed.
Brad Reed's Day 70 of 366
My daughter Julia pointed out these cloud reflections on the Sauble River to me this evening. She has a keen eye and I love her artistic talents. Someday soon I hope to do a book of her paintings, drawings, and photographs along with my dad’s and mine. Three generations of artists in one book.
Rachel's Day 81 of 366 - March 21, 2020
The sky wasn’t as exciting as I would have liked today when I got out to shoot. I decided to turn my focus on the reflections in the Sauble River. I love the greens and blues.
Water Grain
The ripples in the water, combined with the reflections of the sky and clouds make this photograph of Hamlin Lake look like blue and silver grains of wood. I never tire of making compositions like this one. Someday I hope to do an entire book on ripples and reflections on water.
F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm