Lake Huron Beach Rocks at Dawn
Lake Huron photos
Lake Huron is the closest of the Great Lakes to where I live. I can reach the closest access point in about an hour. It tends to be my go-to place whenever I feel the need to reconnect with one of the big lakes, even if it is just a little segment of it.
I still need to get up at 4 a.m. to make it out there before civil twilight in the summer time, but I am typically glad I got my butt out of bed. Each year I seem to discover a couple of new access points while revisiting many familiar ones. Since I am usually looking for something other than just a plain sandy beach, it can involve a bit of “treasure” hunting, moving from spot to spot.
I found the large driftwood below a bit later in the morning when the light was getting quite harsh. Long exposures can take care of that situation. This photo was exposed for 71 seconds at f/22 with a 10 stop ND filter in place. It is a nervously long time to wait when waves are rolling in on the shore a foot away from where your tripod is. I had to dry the front of the lens quite a few times, and start over again when my tripod ended up sinking a little in the sand.
Waves Over Wood, Lake Huron, Michigan
Thanks much Tom, and a belated thanks to Steve.
Both beautiful images, but I particularly like the light on the stones in the first.
I’m especially taken with the image of the rocks at dawn. Your time and effort paid off.
I love your rock images from around the lakes, as well as your images of ice. Be happy that you don’t live in England, especially around Manchester. Sunrise here is at 4:40 AM! I’ll echo e.Brooks’ sentiment! Beautiful work, Mark! It’s been a while since I’ve been out taking photos that require so much exposure. 🙂
Ugh! 4:40 am would be brutal! Thanks a lot Paul.
Beautiful work, Mark…really love that long exposure driftwood shot. It must be gratifying when you get back and see your efforts paid dividends like these photos. Makes that getting up early seem worth it, doesn’t it? 🙂
Thanks Brooks. Sometimes I wish I came back with more keepers, but I guess a few are ok.
I’d happily get up early for a place like Lake Huron. Actually, I do get up early, and always have, although as I age it is getting to be more of a struggle. These are both wonderful images, Mark.
Thanks Steve.
Love the first image. There is a discipline needed to be a nature photographer and getting our “butts” up early is one. And, there is always a change within me offered by nature. Enjoy your 4th!
A discipline I have faltered on plenty of times Monte! 🙂 Have a great 4th yourself.
Probably the biggest thing I hate about filming in the summer is having to get up so early to be in position by first light.
Nothing like rolling out of bed in the middle of the night to catch the sunrise. But when you see the results, it’s worth it every time.
I’m planning on filming some native tallgrass prairies that are an hour plus away next week so I’ll be doing the getting up in the middle of the night routine myself.
Love the polished stones shot. I love looking for interesting rocks when I’m in situations like that.
Indeed! I have set the alarm for earlier, I did it for my attempt in the Milky Way last year where I got up at 1:30 am. That would be rough to do a lot. Like you say – it ends up being worth it.
Just beautiful, Mark. Your photographs of sunrises and sunsets make me think of reevaluating my notion that photos of sunrises and sunsets are hackneyed. But then yours are always about more than the sky itself. And the driftwood? You certainly thought your way around the harsh light: none here. And a lovely dreamy image.
Well I take that as a great compliment Linda because I know exactly what you mean. I really don’t photograph sunrises for the sunrise itself. I just like the soft light and peacefulness that time of day for other subjects. Once that little sphere comes over the horizon, the best stuff is already gone.
Beautiful images. I particularly like the long exposure. Nice to live relatively close….even if it does mean getting up so early. I have the same problem here: either comfortable weather with ungodly wake up time or sleep and awful weather. These are the extremes of course.
Haha, yeah, the big downside of the longer days of summer! It was nice weather out on the lake yesterday though, comfortably cool, no people, and NO BUGS. If I had one complaint it would be that the clouds stuck around a bit longer! 🙂