Summer

The family and I spent the morning playing golf at Golden Sands Golf Course near Silver Lake on this 4th of July. On the way home, I found these wildflowers at the corner of 56th Avenue and Deer Road. The amazing clouds and gorgeous light made a wonderful backdrop for this scene.

When my dad spotted these ivy horses and wagon in front of the Grand Hotel, I knew I had to try to make a photograph of them. By getting my camera and tripod low to the ground and close to the horses, I was able to make the horses appear larger than they really were. I micro-composed this photograph to include the fountain in the background and then I waited for the flags to blow into good positions. F11 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Time seems to stand still on Mackinac Island. While standing in front of the Little Stone Church on the island today chatting with an old friend of my dad's, a picture perfect horse and buggy came trotting by. All I could think about as I was making this composition was Robert Frost and his beautiful poetry. I will be back in the winter to photograph this same horse and church and that will make all the difference. F11 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 24mm

Our workshop students tonight are getting a lesson in shooting twice as close. I am demonstrating how shooting part of the Ludington lighthouse can result in fresher, more abstract views. They try it and like it. I try it and also like it. F22.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Tonight, Julia, Ethan and I were on the way to Rachel’s house to have dinner with her, her kids, and several of her relatives. Julia spotted this bald eagle on East Hansen Road not too far from Rachel’s house. This was one of the best “eagle trees” I had ever seen, and it was so cool actually witnessing an eagle sitting in it.

As you float up to the ferry docks on Mackinac Island, you can't help but notice the majestic Sainte Anne Church near the water's edge. This historic church has brought much joy to visitors and locals on Mackinac Island for over a hundred years. F8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Lilacs seem to be in full bloom everywhere on Mackinac Island on this May day. A canopy of lilacs stretching over the sidewalk at the entrance to an island home provides a vignetted view of historic St. Anne's Church, an island landmark since 1874. F8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

A summer night tradition in Ludington: watch the sunset then head downtown for ice cream. House of Flavors has a long line tonight as usual. Seeing families enjoying ice cream together reminds me of all those summer nights my parents took us to House of Flavors (Park Dairy in those days) during Sunday family outings. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 92 mm

One of the many beloved features of Mackinac Island is the lilacs that blossom every spring. The island is full of many different colors and varieties of lilacs. The wonderful smell of the flowers helps hide the smell from all of the horses. F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 35mm

When getting extremely close to a subject with a wide-angle macro lens, you will notice some very obvious distortion, especially near the outside edges of the composition. I loved how this flower and bee on Mackinac Island looked in my viewfinder and I love the final print even more. F4.5 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

My camera catches a fawn in the morning light. I make the shot and move on so that it can continue to browse in peace with its mother along the west shore of Pere Marquette Lake. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I was awestruck with the beauty of this fawn and its surroundings in my backyard this morning. My dad is always teaching our workshop students to build “layered cake” photographs with distinct foregrounds, middle grounds, and backgrounds. This might be my best fawn “layered cake” photograph.

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

After sitting for a Reed family portrait with Sue Brown, I found these daisies in my Uncle Budde and Aunt Sheryl's flower garden. Daisies just have a way of making people smile. F4.5 at 1/100, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

A Mackinac Island taxi and the trusty team of horses that pulls it waits for passengers. I love the slower pace of life on Mackinac Island, where transportation is limited to horses, bicycles, and feet. F4 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

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

Bicycles are everywhere on Mackinac Island and cars are nowhere. It is easy to step back in time seeing all the parked bicycles instead of parked cars in front of the historic and historic-looking downtown businesses. F4 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 16mm

One of my favorite activities to do while visiting Mackinac Island is to rent bikes and ride around the seven-mile perimeter of the island. With motor vehicles being prohibited on Mackinac Island, the three options for getting around to sightsee are horse and buggy, bicycles, or good old fashioned walking. F9 at 1/200, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

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

I have always been impressed with Arch Rock on Mackinac Island. The giant limestone formation was discovered centuries ago by Native Americas who believed it had spiritual powers. F22 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm