Hidden beneath the ice

Posted by Mark on Feb 11, 2012 in nature photography | 24 comments

Ice sheets beneath my feet, Lake St. Clair, Michigan Image # WI-9556

It is that time of year when I start thinking about photographing on the ice.  However, with the extremely mild temperatures this year, I am doubtful I will be able to walk out on the ice like I did in this shot a couple of years ago.

This lake, Lake St. Clair, is about a half hour drive from where I live.  This spot reminds me of the unique gems we all have quite close to home.   However, it is interesting that this “gem” really isn’t much photography-wise any other time of the year.   I have visited here spring, summer, winter, and fall time – and really it is only when it is frozen over in winter that it draws me to photograph.   (more…)

Winter Solstice

Posted by Mark on Dec 21, 2011 in nature photography | 24 comments

Snow covered woodland in Southeast Michigan, aka. "My Woods"

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Winter Solstice, at least for those of you in the Northern Hemisphere.

For the shortest day of the year, I have started by getting up late, and perhaps I will go to bed early.   The psychology of shorter days and less sunlight will be settling in.

I wish this photograph was representative of what it is like right now in Southeast Michigan.   Days like pictured here are what I enjoy most about winter, not so much the cold, foggy drizzle we have now.   However, I suppose this is the “pretty side of winter” and everyone knows it doesn’t tell the entire story.

By March, we will be aching for some warmer weather.  It is one of the benefits of living somewhere with four full seasons.  Sometimes they start with eager anticipation, sometimes with dread, but by the time it really starts to get on your nerves, it is time to change again.

I am hoping we will have some good “sticky snow” days like this in the coming months.   The woods behind my home turn into a magical forest blanketed in white.  It simplifies the clutter, creates a freshness to the air, and begs you to walk through and explore.

Michigan Blue Winter 2010

Posted by Mark on Nov 13, 2010 in nature photography | 22 comments

Michigan Blue Magazine, Winter 2010, cover photo by Mark Graf

I am pleased to have the cover of the Winter 2o10 issue of Michigan Blue magazine.   I just received my copies the other day.

The image is of ice blocks on Lake St. Clair at one of my favorite winter spots to photograph.   Morning colors can be spectacular, and if I am lucky, I will find some great translucent ice blocks to work into the scene.  Another aspect I like about this area is that there is very little clutter on the horizon, contributing to the overall “vastness” or remoteness of the photographs.   It can be rare to find in Southeastern Michigan.  But there is a downside!  Given the lack of sheltering trees or structures, the winter wind can be brutal.

Every year it is a different scene depending on so many different factors.  That is why I keep going back… despite the wind.  Most, if not all, of my frozen lake winter photos are from this spot.  You can see more images in my winter landscape photo gallery.

Topaz Adjust 4

Posted by Mark on Mar 1, 2010 in nature photography | 1 comment

If you have followed this blog in the past year or so, you know I have become a fan of a few of the TopazLabs Photoshop plugins.   Today they just released a major update to their popular Topaz Adjust plugin, Topaz Adjust 4.

Topaz Adjust 4

If you are already a Topaz Adjust user, the bonus is that the upgrade is a free one.   This was a nice surprise because it is a rather significant update, especially in the user interface.   You will notice like the update they made to Topaz Detail, the interface resembles the dark grey interface made popular by Adobe Lightroom and Apple’s Aperture.     I love this style of interface because it draws more attention to what is going on in the image versus drawing your eye away to the controls.

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Winter landscapes

Posted by Mark on Feb 11, 2010 in nature photography | 21 comments

Winter landscapes

At a bit of loss for words lately folks, so just a photo to share… a bit different from the one I posted before. I am sure this landscape doesn’t even exist anymore, which is a pretty cool aspect of shooting these icescapes.   It makes you appreciate the moment even more when the light is happening with some interesting subject matter in front of you.