Posted by Brian Vance on January 9, 2010 at 3:24 PM
I finally got out shooting for the first time in the new year. I was in western Michigan and decided to try my hand at the photogenic Grand Haven lighthouse. I waited around in the area for a couple hours as the skies looked promising. Great light never developed, but the skies were fairly dramatic at times.
The walk out was like an ice skating rink and I only fell once! Comments welcome.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on January 9, 2010 at 7:27 PM
You should have let me know you were here, Brian!
There have been clouds hanging over the lake for several days now..lake effect snow falling where it should...out over the lake, and farther south..so the lighting hasn't been the greatest lately. You might find mornings best for that right now (when the sun is out, that is), with the light coming over your shoulder and shining onto the lake and the lighthouses.
Regardless of the light, or lack thereof, I do like your posted version of the pier and lighthouse. The clouds almost appear to be moving and the reds show up nicely against the darker sky.
Looks like an interesting place to shoot. I like the red against the blue. The clouds work too bad about the light, not as nice waiting for the right light when it's cold. Nice to know you only fell once. nice shot.
Posted by Joe Paratore on January 10, 2010 at 7:59 AM
Very nice Brian...... I like the color of the clouds very moody and storm like.
I' am a bit surprise that I see so much open water at this time of the year.
As cold as it has been and the wind we have recieved I would have thought there would be
alot more ice buildup around the pier and on the lighthouse.
Plan on going to Grand Haven and South Haven within the next week or so depending on the weather of course. Supose to hit 40 next week
Can any one give me conditions on South Haven. Thanks
Joe
Posted by Brian Vance on January 10, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Thanks for the comments, they are much appreciated!
Toni, I was just passing through, but I didn't realize (or remember) that you were that close. Thanks for the heads up, next time out I may give you a shout out as to the conditions before making the trip. I was looking at some flickr pics of this light and this location can offer some fantastic possibilities.
Kendall, I am fortunate enough to have a van conversion/camper with a propane heater, so I kept warm while waiting, but it sure was cold out there in the wind!
Joe, I was talking to a photographer from Ludington who said the ice was a half mile out into the lake at this time last year. A good, windy day with some decent light would be worth the trip. South Haven was getting pounded by lake effect snow last week - the town closed down for a day. You might want to check in with either Toni or Joel DeYoung (Holland) as they are the forum members who are the closest.
Thanks again for the feedback,
Brian
Posted by Toni Lankerd on January 11, 2010 at 9:51 AM
Brian...yes, please let me know if you plan on coming this way again.
Joe..Brian is right...South Haven got a lot of snow last week thanks to the lake effect. This winter is a non-event so far, as far as ice and snow goes on Lake MI itself. Last year at this time, the ice was way out into the lake with numerous frozen "ice" waves along the shore. In searching for a South Haven web cam, it appears they still have a lot more snow/ice then we do, even on the lake. A plus for that city is that their lighthouse gets more ice and snow on it, for whatever reason
Posted by Philip Schwarz on January 15, 2010 at 11:45 AM
I like the colors and mood in this one. I've seen some really spectacular storm photos from this location.
We were up in Union Bay in the Porcupine Mountains last weekend. On Friday there was ice way out into the lake. When we came back on Sunday the ice had broken up and there was water within 20 feet from shore.
Posted by Brian Vance on January 15, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Thanks for the feedback, Phil. I'm looking forward to you posting some pics from the recent trip to the Porkies.
Is the campground open in winter at Union Bay? What are the roads like up in that area at this time of year?
Don't know anything about camping but I do know the winter Yurts are very popular for camping. We always see a group either heading for them or coming back. You can almost always expect snow but on this trip we didn’t have any. The South Boundary Road and the road to Lake of the Clouds are snowmobile trails in the winter. Access to the backcountry is by ski or snowshoe.
Not much in the way of exciting pictures since it was mainly a ski trip and the weather didn't offer much.
Posted by Darren Huski on January 22, 2010 at 6:03 AM
Very nice. Looks cold and like a great wintery image.
Discussion
9 repliesThe walk out was like an ice skating rink and I only fell once! Comments welcome.
There have been clouds hanging over the lake for several days now..lake effect snow falling where it should...out over the lake, and farther south..so the lighting hasn't been the greatest lately. You might find mornings best for that right now (when the sun is out, that is), with the light coming over your shoulder and shining onto the lake and the lighthouses.
Regardless of the light, or lack thereof, I do like your posted version of the pier and lighthouse. The clouds almost appear to be moving and the reds show up nicely against the darker sky.
I' am a bit surprise that I see so much open water at this time of the year.
As cold as it has been and the wind we have recieved I would have thought there would be
alot more ice buildup around the pier and on the lighthouse.
Plan on going to Grand Haven and South Haven within the next week or so depending on the weather of course. Supose to hit 40 next week
Can any one give me conditions on South Haven. Thanks
Joe
Toni, I was just passing through, but I didn't realize (or remember) that you were that close. Thanks for the heads up, next time out I may give you a shout out as to the conditions before making the trip. I was looking at some flickr pics of this light and this location can offer some fantastic possibilities.
Kendall, I am fortunate enough to have a van conversion/camper with a propane heater, so I kept warm while waiting, but it sure was cold out there in the wind!
Joe, I was talking to a photographer from Ludington who said the ice was a half mile out into the lake at this time last year. A good, windy day with some decent light would be worth the trip. South Haven was getting pounded by lake effect snow last week - the town closed down for a day. You might want to check in with either Toni or Joel DeYoung (Holland) as they are the forum members who are the closest.
Thanks again for the feedback,
Brian
Joe..Brian is right...South Haven got a lot of snow last week thanks to the lake effect. This winter is a non-event so far, as far as ice and snow goes on Lake MI itself. Last year at this time, the ice was way out into the lake with numerous frozen "ice" waves along the shore. In searching for a South Haven web cam, it appears they still have a lot more snow/ice then we do, even on the lake. A plus for that city is that their lighthouse gets more ice and snow on it, for whatever reason
We were up in Union Bay in the Porcupine Mountains last weekend. On Friday there was ice way out into the lake. When we came back on Sunday the ice had broken up and there was water within 20 feet from shore.
Is the campground open in winter at Union Bay? What are the roads like up in that area at this time of year?
Not much in the way of exciting pictures since it was mainly a ski trip and the weather didn't offer much.