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Brad and I explored the Ludington State Park this afternoon. We ended at Lake Michigan along M-116, shooting big waves and the sun. Near sunset, the magic light showered over the dunes

My dad and I study a lot of different photographers and their work. Jim Brandenburg is a photographer I admire. Jim's work has a unique "look and feel" that inspires me. While I was making this photograph on the Sable River, it seemed to me the image had a Brandenburg feel. The beauty of art is that the final image has a mix of my style as well as Jim's.

Most of the time I really do not like the looks of snow fences, especially in my photographs. However, the shadows they cast on the sand and snow can be a fascinating subject to photograph. F11.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 34 mm

When I pulled my truck off the side of the road and came up to this horse, I felt like the horse was asking me to set it free. I made my images and then quickly left so I did not disturb the quiet little farm.

What a day to be at Grand Traverse Lighthouse at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. Both the 1852 light station and the fall color are picture perfect this morning. I am impressed with how well maintained the buildings and grounds are.

Presque Isle Blues

Oriole Pride

My great-grandma, Martha Delite Benson, had a passion for finding small treasures outdoors. She seemed to gravitate toward beautiful objects that most people would pass by. I believe her ability to "go deeper" into the scene and find the less obvious beauty in nature was passed down to my dad and me. As I photographed this delicate starflower at the Ludington State Park in June of 2006, I could not help but grin and think of my Great-Grandma Benson.

The sky is filled with color this morning so I have hustled to get to the waterfront at Crosswinds to make a photograph of the harbor and sky. Steam from the co-generation plant looks from this vantage point like it is coming from the carferry Badger's stack. Ducks provide another added ingredient to the picture. Looks good. F16.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 175 mm

I always enjoy trying to find a new foreground for my lighthouse photographs. I was pumped when I found these colorful bushes near Lake Michigan as the foreground at Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

One of the many magnificent historic homes in Marshall looks spectacular to me in the light and shadow of a sunny April morning. In the 19th century Marshall thrived by being a busy crossroads town partway between Detroit and Chicago. Today, Marshall thrives by attracting people to experience the amazingly well preserved and restored grandeur of its past.

Standup paddle surfer Larry Bordine gets launched over the top of a wave as he attempts to paddle his way further out into Lake Michigan before surfing back to shore.

Purple Rain

Part of Me

Over The Top

I love calm mornings when the water is so still it appears to be a steel-blue mirror. On an early morning adventure these lily pads near the Lost Lake Trail quickly grabbed my attention. I set up my tripod in the water and carefully composed the photograph while making certain that none of the reflections of the flowers were cut off. Once the ripples were gone and the water returned to its mirror-like state, I gently clicked the shutter.

This was the last photo that my Fuji S5 Pro camera took. On the very next shot, I slid down the ice-covered slide. I went faster than anticipated and landed on top of my camera and tripod. It was one of the dumber things I have ever done, especially while photographing! My new used Fuji S5 is coming in the mail tomorrow. F11.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Earlier today I picked Julia and Ethan up after school and told them we were going on a shooting adventure. We rushed north all the way to Stocking Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes. We had to run from the parking lot to the top of a tall dune near the main lookout area. With just minutes to spare, we made this image of the sun setting into Lake Michigan. I love our adventures together!

One barn window frames another as I peer into and through an old barn south of Leland in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I have tried to make this image several ways but this view feels the best. I love the rich tones and textures I see in my viewfinder.

Surfer Saeth Gronberg rides a Lake Michigan wave past the Frankfort, Michigan lighthouse on a sunny winter afternoon.