Two-track, multiple exposure (8)

On the way back from a 2006 photo tour in the UP of Michigan, I stopped by the Cut River Bridge where US-2 crosses the Cut River and Cut River Valley. This sleeper of a rest stop is also a splendid area to spend a couple hours to photograph or simply walk across or hike below the bridge and take in the view that motorists whizzing by will often miss. I embellished this image by making it a multiple of 8 images in one frame moving the camera slightly from left to right. This was the first such image that would inspire a number of similar images (see older posts this blog) and my favorite, so far, using this technique...

Maple Burst

A new image from the magical birch forest at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. I first set foot in these woods in 2001 and was overwhelmed by the kalaidescope of colors interdispersed amoung the birch trees. I have never been able to catch the forest since in all its spendor and glory and perfect light until last October, 2007 when this image (and others) were taken...

Storm Clouds Over Lake Michigan

One Saturday during October, 2006, I made a last minute decision to head to the lakeshore for an evening of photography. Anticipating dramatic clouds from a passing cold front, I arrived at Kirk Park due west of Grand Rapids and knew that I made the right call. I shot about four rolls of Velvia all the time marvelling at how even during angry moments, nature can be so beautiful...

Backlit Birches

Once again, another upland area of Seney National Wildlife Refuge. This was taken during a "Rod Planck" tour at a remote location of the refuge. I was captivated by the the sun shining through the back side of the birch trees creating somewhat of a neon feel to the scene...

Sunrise, Trout Bay

Last summer (2007), a group of friends and I spent a few days backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking at Grand Island National Recreation Area off the shores of Munising, Michigan. On the second morning, I got up early and biked a mile to this location on Trout Bay to capture the dazzling sun rising over the still waters of the bay...

Stream Close-up No. 2 and No. 3

During mid-October of 2007, I ventured locally to capture fall color images as color was at its peak in Kent County. At Townsend Park near Cannonsburg, I noticed fall color reflecting brilliantly in Bear Creek running through the park. The color intensified as the sun rose higher and higher. I spent two hours photographing a small section of this stream notably this rock. The first image was a straight-up image while the one below was a multiple exposure of 16...

Forest Road, Multiple Exposure (16)

During early October of 2007, I was touring in the Munising area of the upper peninsula of Michigan and explored many back country roads and two-tracks. On some occasions, I was compelled to express artistic license. Fall color is a unique way of expressing multiple exposure images as the end result often times conveys Monet-like colors. This image was actually 16 images in one frame moving the camera on the tripod ever so slightly with each take...

Autumn Winds

Kirk Park beach is located approximately 33 miles due west of Grand Rapids, Michigan making it the closest public beach to this large metro area. Kirk Park has a personal appeal to me as it is the beach that my co-workers, friends, and I have adopted as a part of the Alliance for the Great Lakes "Adopt a Beach" program. During the past four years, I have seen and photographed the many different moods of Lake Michigan at Kirk Park. This was one of the more dramatic scenes...

Maple sapplings and beech trunks

One day during a fall color tour, we ventured over to the eastern end of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. A steady was drizzle was falling but it did not deter a few of us who ventured out into the elements. The misty rain and low contrast light enhanced the color saturation of the maple sapplings at the base of this beech tree creating somewhat of a watercolor effect...

Milkweed Pod and Fall Color

When people think of Seney National Wildlife Refuge, they typically think of wetlands, marshlands, and wildlife galore. However, many acres of upland habitat exist here as well. During a fall tour, I captured this milkweed pod exploding (as they usually do during the autumn) with a wash of brilliant fall color in the background...

Seney Sunrise

During a photo tour led by my mentor, the incomparable Rod Planck, we were taken into the deep recesses of Seney National Wildlife Refuge, areas not accessible to the general public. This particular morning featured fog and world class light. I snapped many frames at this location this being my favorite.