Radar of opportunity
by Mark ~ February 21st, 2009. Filed under: Michigan, landscape, my woods.
Radar 21Feb2009 7:00 AM
Winter Sunrise, Lake St. Clair, Michigan
Well, we have another storm front headed our way, should hit us later today I think. There was a glimmer of hope we were on the tail end. Everywhere I go it seems people are complaining about the long, hard winter this year – yearning for it to be over with. Yet it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom for a photographer. I think winter provides some very unique opportunities provided you are ready to take advantage of them. That said, I haven’t followed that advice very much this year. Despite just being plain busy, I have been in a bit of a funk about wanting to get my butt out in the cold.
So when we see an opportunity knockin’ like this, perhaps it is a good idea to look back in the archives and remind ourselves that it can be worth it to embrace and endure. I should have known also that the light is killer the morning before a storm like this – and I didn’t get out early enough. Laziness can be a photographer’s worst enemy.
Anyway, speaking of winter blues – check out Ruthie Foster – she was in town here last night and put on a wonderful show with Robben Ford and Jorma Kaukonen. I’ll blame her for keeping me up too late. 
February 21st, 2009 at
Hang in there. I remember those storms all too well. I’ll go out & enjoy our blooming wildflowers in your honor today.
Mark Reply:
February 21st, 2009 at
Well, what an evil thing to say.
February 21st, 2009 at
Well, it was pretty chilly here this morning, about 22, so I stayed inside and experimented with off-camera flashes and what not.
It’s a bit warmer in here!
That Lake St. Clair shot is beautiful, indeed. Maybe you’ll get one more shot this winter. Do the lakes still have ice on them?
February 21st, 2009 at
Paul – I always thought that was a benefit of photographing my rock patterns – great winter activity….indoors!
Thank you! I imagine the lake does still have ice on it, but it is highly variable on what the surface looks like, which makes it a good spot to keep returning to. But after this storm hits, I imagine the surface may be covered in snow.
February 21st, 2009 at
Hi Mark, hope this stupid storm doesn’t hit too hard – always hearing horror stories about lines down and such. Not a good feeling at all…
These winter photos of your – especially from the lakes – are breathtakingly beautiful. Never had a chance seeing this kind of landscapes. I hope one day to be able to travel to the antartic – photographing ice in all its shapes…
February 21st, 2009 at
Petra: Antarctica? Tickets are cheaper to go to Michigan and you can see the same things! Lots and lots of ice … well, maybe no penguins, but lots and lots of ice and cold weather.
Right, Mark?
February 21st, 2009 at
Hey Mark,
That is a beautiful image. I hear you on winter – it can be a wonderful photo opportunity, but it is nice to escape it at times as well!
Ron
February 21st, 2009 at
Beautiful image Mark. I start out every winter with the same thoughts about opportunity…..but I hate the cold, end up not going out nearly as much as I would have liked to….and, well, lets just get the thing over with so we can go out and shoot trillium again.
February 21st, 2009 at
That is an amazing picture of the lake.
I love sunsets like this.
Sometimes storms like this provide a great photo opportunity.
Some people have never really seen snow.
February 22nd, 2009 at
That is quite a stunning image Marc. After taking an image like this I would probably be complacent about getting back into the cold also.
February 22nd, 2009 at
Thanks Ron, Howard, Richard.
February 22nd, 2009 at
Just when you think winter has finally started to turn the corner, boom is strikes again. I am waiting patiently. We still have yet to get the “big one” for this season. We’ve had quite a few snowstorms but no really big ones. We usually get one really big one every year. The temps have been brutal though. Spring is coming, Spring is coming. It will get here don’t worry.
The sunset is beautiful and well worth the winter conditions. Scenes like that redeem winter in my eyes…beautiful!
February 23rd, 2009 at
I would love to have a more wintry look to this area (SE PA). It’s rare enough anymore so that I usually don’t have trouble getting myself out into it. I find myself doing more bird work in winter than landscapes.
The mood of your winter images is always great, as are the colors and geometry. I hope you do get out into it after the storm hits, I’d like to see what you create.
February 23rd, 2009 at
As it turns out, the storm was very anti-climatic. Only about 2-3 inches of granular snow, didn’t even stick much to the trees – so I did not go out. Another opportunity passed up.
February 23rd, 2009 at
I grew up in Michigan. Now that I’m a Florida resident I appreciate our warm winters, but miss “real” winter in Michigan. I can’t wait to see your post-storm images. They will give me the vicarious enjoyment I crave.
February 24th, 2009 at
My winter opportunities are few and far between, we have winter and a bad one this year, I just choose to stay inside !!
Beautiful work BTW !!
February 24th, 2009 at
GORGEOUS, Mark!
February 25th, 2009 at
What I pathetically call “winter” and label “cold” would make you hoot with laughter. Still, I understand deciding that it is easier to stay inside where it’s cozy. Your gorgeous sunrise photo will haunt me now when I make excuses about getting out on one of our downright balmy days. I’m always grateful that I made the effort when I do.
February 26th, 2009 at
Seeing your wonderful winter landscape images make we long to be back in Wisconsin in the winter time. Amazing huh? You images seem to be thicker than my thinned Wisconsinite-Transplanted-to-California blood…
To bad my wife’s blood is ultra-thinned native California….she claims she’ll never go back in the dead of winter. (Solo trip!)
I hope the most recent storms rewarded you well…
Mark Reply:
February 27th, 2009 at
Greg – no rewards, but thank you! I let this storm pass me by as far as photography goes, despite having the radar – it didn’t turn into much of an opportunity.
February 26th, 2009 at
I like the picture of the ice breaking up on the lake. What area by lake St Cair was this taken?
Mark Reply:
February 27th, 2009 at
Jason, it was in the Huron Point / Metro Beach area.
February 27th, 2009 at
Hey Mark,
love the image – sorry you didn’t get some more nice conditions.
I’m enjoying listening to Ruthie. Robben Ford is so awesome, one of my favorite guitar players – did you go to the show?
Cheers
Carl
February 27th, 2009 at
Hey Carl,
I did see them! As awesome as Robben was, I have to say Ruthie stole a bit of the show. Everything just seemed to have so much more energy when she was on stage.
February 28th, 2009 at
Hey Mark,
Cool – darn singers, always stealing the limelight.
I bet it was killer – she sounds great.
Cheers
Carl
March 1st, 2009 at
Hi Mark: Nice image. I guess we all are thinking the same way this time of year in Michigan. I heard the term “Snow-weary” for the first time this February. I also wonder if it isn’t just a function of getting old. In my own February “Winter Sucks” post, I struggled with the same “funk” –but when I did drag my own butt out, I found the experience rewarding. Obviously, yours was too.
March 1st, 2009 at
Andy, I fully understand why so many retirees spend their winters in Florida!
March 4th, 2009 at
Mark, that is a gorgeous photo – well worth enduring the winter weather to get it! There’s a love-hate relationship with winter photography….. results like this justify the effort!
Mark Reply:
March 4th, 2009 at
Ethan – so true. Perhaps a bit more hate while in the field, and you don’t feel the love until back in a warm studio processing the work!