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Category: Michigan Page 35 of 37

Full Moon Over Highland

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On November 2, 2015

In Michigan, Project: State Parks

Full Moon over Highland

If you have any teachers in your life, you may have heard that this past week was both Halloween and a full moon. If this means nothing to you, you are not a teacher.

I have been meaning to visit Highland Recreation Area for some time now. I attempted last weekend to try to capture the fall colors but made it just in time for sunset. I shouldn’t complain because the sunset was fabulous and I did manage to capture this beautiful full moon. I definitely want to get back there and explore more in the light of day!

This was my first attempt at a moon shot and I think it turned out pretty good. I used my longest focal length (200 mm) and a tripod, although at that focal length the camera moved so much I realized I need a sturdier one. Even at 200 mm, I had to crop in a bit to get rid of a lot of empty sky.

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr!

Wordless Wednesday: Steam Train

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On October 28, 2015

In Michigan, Wordless Wednesday

Steam Train

Fall in the UP

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On October 26, 2015

In Michigan, Project: State Parks

Lower Falls
One of my favorite fall memories is from a trip I took a few years ago to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. One of the places I visited was Tahquamenon Falls. If you haven’t been to the falls in autumn, it is a sight to behold. The red and yellow leaves blend in with the green of the pines as a background to the motion of the water. While the leaves fall, the tannins  run out (similar to tea) and turn the water a dark brown color and create the white foam.

One thing I did not prepare for was the weather on this trip. It was unseasonable cold for the first week in October and the highs were maybe in the 40s(F). I didn’t bring a coat or gloves and I ended up buying a fleece jacket in the gift shop at the falls. If you’re planning a trip to the UP in the fall, my biggest advice is bring winter clothes just in case. Its hard to enjoy the beauty of nature when you’re freezing your fingers off!

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr!

Wordless Wednesday: East Channel Light

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On October 21, 2015

In Michigan, Wordless Wednesday

East Channel Light

Michigan State Architecture

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On October 19, 2015

In Michigan

Marshall-Adams HallIn honor of the Spartan’s miraculous win on Saturday, here’s another favorite photo from East Lansing. If you’ve never seen Michigan State’s campus, it seems to be having an identity crisis, architecture-wise. On the northern end of campus, you have beautiful, classic brick & ivy buildings, such as Marshall-Adams hall here. Heck the MSU alma mater even has the line, “o’re ivy covered halls”. But, if you travel out of the old part of campus in any direction, you notice the architectural styles change. Not too far from Marshall-Adams is the Broad Art Museum which is strikingly modern and I often describe as having sharp edges. Across the street from the Broad Museum is the Student Services Building which is depressingly 60s and just looks sad and outdated (which is my fear for Broad in the years to come). On the eastern edge of campus is the 12 story Hubbard Hall (and my home my freshman year) which really seems to poke out from around the surrounding areas where no other building surpasses maybe 6 floors at most.

During my time at MSU, I loved walking through the old part of campus at the end of the day. One hour before and after sunrise and sunset is considered the magic hour (AKA blue or golden hour) and is the ideal lighting for photography. No, this doesn’t mean that you should never shoot outside of these times (a lot of the photos I post here were taken outside of magic hour), but the lighting is more pleasing and you are more likely to get stunning shots during these times.

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr!

And in case you didn’t catch the Michigan-Michigan State game this weekend, here’s the only clip you need to see:

Go Green!

MSU, We Love Thy Shadows

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On October 16, 2015

In Michigan

MSU, We Love thy Shadows...

This is the weekend of the big game so I thought it appropriate to post one of my favorite Spartan pictures. Between many photos of the beautiful Michigan State Campus, this shot from The 2010 Orange Bowl Parade embodies Spartan Spirit the most! I love the straight lines and how the drummers’ feet match perfectly! Spartans Will!

This was a shot that right out of camera, wasn’t very interesting. I made it black and white and and cropped it to emphasize that shadow and voila! Photographers, post-processing can take an OK image and make it great!

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! And of course, Go Green!

Wordless Wednesday: Old Timey Farmers

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On October 14, 2015

In Michigan, Wordless Wednesday

Old Timey Farmers

Joyful Artist

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On October 5, 2015

In Michigan

Joyful Artist

On a recent visit to Greenfield Village (part of The Henry Ford, “America’s Greatest History Attraction”), I noticed a change since I visited as a child. As a kid, I remember enjoying the period clothing and how they put on a show, talking to guests like living history. Yes, walking through the houses, you can still see the way people used to live, but now the focus is on the creative. They no longer dress in period clothing in Liberty Craftworks. Instead, you can pay to blow your own glass. If you’re lucky, they’ll let you try out the printing press. At first this change bothered me, but then I realized what it is all about. Innovation is the key word here. The CBS Saturday Morning Television Show, Innovation Nation is being filmed on The Henry Ford Campus. The purpose (at least as I see it) is to show children people that anyone can be a creator, a difference maker. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Steve Jobs, were just regular people who had an idea and put it into action. The Henry Ford is looking to inspire that next generation of innovators and creators.

This shot was hard to get. It was so dark in the Pottery Shop my kit lens wasn’t fast enough to freeze the potter’s motion. Luckily, I had my new 50mm f1.8 prime lens. With such a wide aperture I was able to use a fast shutter speed and stop the motion of his hands.

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your visit to The Henry Ford, visit TheHenryFord.org

Wordless Wednesday: Firefighters

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On September 30, 2015

In Michigan, Wordless Wednesday

Firefighter Visit 44/100

Sleeping Bear Dunes

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On September 28, 2015

In Michigan, National Parks & Places

Foggy Dunes

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was voted “Most Beautiful Place in America” by Good Morning America. When I look at my pictures of Sleeping Bear, it is unbelievable to think that I took them in my home state! How many people can say they have such gorgeous vistas in their backyard?

This shot is an oldie, but a goodie. I took this with my first ever (like 6 megapixel) point and shoot digital camera. While, I could never blow it up above 8×10 or so, don’t stress out about your gear! A good photographer in a beautiful location will produce beautiful images. Yes, expensive gear doesn’t hurt, don’t let your budget keep you from going out and doing what you love!

Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your visit to this gorgeous Michigan seashore, visit sleepingbeardunes.com

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