Ice Arch at Sunrise WI-9919 | Lake St. Clair, Michigan | Nikon D810, 14-24mm f/2.8
Anyone in the nature photography community knows that Iceland is one of the hottest go-to destinations right now. New workshops seem to be popping up everywhere, following a bit of a gold-rush type boom in pursuit of the beautiful and unique scenics that can be found there. How many of us covet the iconic iceberg on a black sand beach shot? I do, they are gorgeous!
After a period of time, will Iceland imagery become much like that of [insert name that famous icon] of the western US? How long before the once unique, scenic places of Iceland become as familiar to many as their own backyards? How much longer before you see nature photographers commenting amongst their peers with a judgmental “Oh, just another Iceland shot?”
I guess I find that a little bit sad. Just because these places get innundated with photo tours doesn’t make them any less beautiful, they just become a bit more familiar than before. However, there are places though that I no longer have an interest in visiting because I have seen so many photographs of them that I feel like I have been there. Given the chance, I would still probably go to Iceland myself, for now.
However, until then, if then – I’ll stick with what I know best – my own backyard, my own city, county, and state. I get a real kick out of comments from locals that exclaim “That’s Michigan?!” Oh yes my friends, all it takes is a little bit of curiosity about that unknown path and the passion for exploration. I doubt you will ever see any ads in the back of Outdoor Photographer for landscape photography in Detroit and I am quite OK with that.
“The Racetrack” of Detroit – mysterious ice (not quite cubed) block – how did it get there?? | Nikon D810, 14-24 f/2.8
More winter beauty from Lake St Clair! The ice arch is super.
I’ve been thinking lately about how I value the places that I know well: in experiences, memories, images. The images I take at/of those places mean more to me as well – perhaps Lake St Clair is such a place for you.
Going to a remote place is exciting, but you won’t get to build that connection, personal history for a place.
Indeed we do get to know them well Tom. However, I believe love at first sight can happen if a place has the magic. 🙂
Mark, I certainly agree about there being a glut of photos from whatever area is “flavor-of-the-week” — Iceland at the moment. However, I can’t blame photographers for wanting to go, I wouldn’t turn down a trip to Iceland if I had the opportunity and I’d might shoot shots much like the thousand before me. However, the thought of doing that would be in the back of my mind and might temper my photography. I guess it depends upon who you’re photographing for. If you photograph for yourself then you’re not concerned about what others might have done or what they might think. Still it’s almost impossible not to be impacted by the photographic tidal waves that wash across the Internet. I’m afraid it’s just the world we live in now and may indeed get worst.
I admire how you’ve indeed found you’re own ice land this winter…with a grand effort by Mother Nature. 🙂 Great work, Sir!
EB – thanks for your thoughts on this. I can’t say I would turn down the opportunity either … as of today. 🙂
Awesome stuff Mark. Kudos for continuing to do your own thing. I agree about Iceland though. It would be sad to come home from an amazing trip there and have people look at your work as some sort of competition rather than artistic merit.
No kidding right. I guess its better to get there sooner than later before people get tired of it and move on to xxxxx location. 🙂 Thanks Richard!
The images you’ve made of that ice arch are some of your best yet, in my opinion. I had no idea Michigan could be so picturesque until I found your blog. However, since then I’ve seen quite a bit of good landscape photography from your state, though you probably still have the market nearly cornered compared to some of us working in other states. Shhhh, we’ll just keep the hidden beauty of Michigan a ‘secret,’ ay?
Oh there are plenty of photographers covering landscapes here. Most probably with more time than I have to travel around. Thanks for the remarks on the arch – but hey – I was just mimicking those similar images from the west. 😉
Other states may not recognize Michigan much for landscapes, but those here know they can be found here and there. Just don’t expect any elevations higher than 1000 ft. 🙂
How nice that you attract to your blog people whose sentiments you (and I) share. Yea backyards! Your ice arch photo is fantastic—and, being a bit jaded, I don’t usually go for sunset photographs.
Hi Linda – thanks for visiting. Yea backyards indeed. Hard to argue with that one.
I understand on the sunrises, they can be as overdone as some of the iconic places.
Yes, many of do not know our own backyards. I fall in that category but have been changing that over the past few years. Gorgeous images.
You seem to explore your neck of the woods pretty well to me Monte.
You are preaching to the choir here, Mark. Like most, I have seen the Iceland images and drooled at the thought of being there to experience and, hopefully, capture the glory of the landscape. The world is filled with such and many places are revered and rightfully so. But those of us fortunate enough to live in places with their own natural wonders do well to explore more deeply and point out that beauty is where you find it and there is plenty in our own backyard to fill galleries galore.
Speaking for myself, although echoing your words, I am much happier in the places I know well and love. The bonus comes from having these locations to ourselves.
I am not planning to start traveling the world but finding even more local spots to explore and share.
And I echo your echo Steve. 🙂
People tend to forget that there are plenty of great photo ops in our own back yards. We need to remember to stay home and look! Thanks for the reminder, Mark.
I even need to remind myself sometimes when looking at the photos from those far off places. Thanks for the comment Tom.
I’m completely with you. Would I love the chance to go to Iceland and shoot? Of course, I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity. But guess what, it’s just not a financial option for many, myself included.
I love, like you, exploring what’s around me. I want to share with people the awesome beauty and scenery that can be found right. where. you. are! I always feel a little sad when people get the idea that the only way to see awe-inspiring beauty is by traveling around the world.
Check out your own backyard!
Keep it up, it’s looking awesome.
Same here Katy. Maybe someday. There are a lot of far off places I would like to get to. Until then, there is plenty to discover close by.
For a long, long time it thought I had to go to places like Yellowstone to get great footage.
It took some financial issues keeping me close to home that I discovered how incredible my own neck of the woods are!
I’ve spent the past three years filming the tallgrass prairie at my local nature center and have only scratched the surface. Spittle bug larvae cocoons may not match up one to one with a grizzly bear but I find them fascinating.
Certain shots become cliche’s because they are incredible. How sad that we grow tired of seeing the lower falls from Artist Point in Yellowstone? Even more sad are those that have never been and then when they visit say that’s been shot to death, let’s find something new to shoot.
It’s taken me a while but I’ve learned to satisfy my desires when it comes to filming and not worry what other people think I should or shouldn’t film.
Woodland wildflowers will be popping up here in Eastern Iowa soon. To me that’s right up there with the grizzlies coming out of hibernation. 🙂
I agree fully Kevin. Have fun with those spittle bugs and woodland flowers! Spring weather is upon us here as well.
Those are some fantastic images and a terrific post. I gave always been a fan of neighborhood images, hard as it may be to see the familiar with fresh eyes. But you have done one amazing job of that here with some really beautiful and unique images that I know I won’t be able to see elsewhere. Having recently been to Death Valley (not exactly in my backyard) the Racetrack one really made me smile, especially since we never got to the Racetrack. But as you point out, it’s easy to find hundreds of those images! Too many damn photographers 🙂
Hey Howard, thanks for the kind words. Yeah, I thought “Racetrack” was a pretty fitting title for that shot, and fit with the theme of my post! 🙂