Before I dive into this week’s Image I want to announce that our roster of this year’s Upper Peninsula adventure is sadly short by one. We have had a recent cancellation that has created a single opening for our august October group of Yoopers. If you have an interest in filling this spot, please let me know, don@earthsongphotography.com.
Somewhere, almost in the middle of nowhere, to the northwest of Michigamme, there is a beautiful and remote Upper Peninsula state park named Craig Lake. To be there you really have to want to go, but for your effort the rewards are amazing: the lake and its frequent early-morning mists, the surrounding kodachrome hardwoods dotted with evergreen firs, and the early light streaming through the forest. Of course to encounter all three during the change of seasons is not uncommon at all.
A focal length of 202mm gave me the intimate angle-of-view I wanted to isolate the rising mist, to give a sense of the amazing color, and to revel in the early light. An aperture of f/22 provided depth-of-field, and a shutter speed of 1/6 second at ISO 100 gave me a somewhat darker-than-medium overall exposure.
Bonnie and I are delighted to be returning to the Upper Peninsula for the first time in three years – much too long to be away from the amazement and wonder.
Beautiful, Don
I grew up in Michigan, I was a Loper, though! It took me until I had moved away from MI before I realized what a treasure the UP is. For those who haven’t seen it, I recommend the UP and Don’s workshops very highly!
What I appreciate most about this image is how you exposed it. Because of the high dynamic range, you had to make certain choices. For me, exposing to get some details in the tree on the right makes the picture. I often struggle with finding the right exposure for images like this, and end of taking multiple pictures then deciding in post which one I like the most. Would like to get away from that mentality. Also like how you used that tree to “stop” the mist as you follow it from left to right.
Magical image!
Don, thanks for another delightful image. I think my favorite aspect of it is the illuminated tips of the branches on the right. One can really “feel” this sunrise.
Good morning Everyone. Thank you all for joining me for this conversation. What a delight to hear from all of you. With so much absolutely amazing color to consider, it’s sometimes easy to overlook the incredible light that bathes the land of Kitchi Gami in autumn. I feel very blessed to have experienced so many wonderful adventures in this beautiful area.
Hey Lynne. It’s great to have you join us. I really appreciate your kind words. I would so love to share the UP with you and John. I think that for John, it would be like a homecoming. We’re looking forward to being with y’all in a very short while.
Hi Jeff. It’s really good to hear from you, and I am honored by your kind words. You are so spot on: the beauty of Michigan, and especially the UP, is simply breathtaking. I was 55 before I visited for the first time, and it will always be one of my greatest regrets that I did not go much, much sooner. I’ve tried to make up for it by going thirteen times in the past sixteen years, but it’s a deficit I’m not likely to be able to overcome. Having lost one of our participants for the upcoming adventure to knee-replacement surgery, there is one space to join us; so if you know of someone who might wish to experience what you and I have long-appreciated, please pass it along. Be well.
Hey Kev. Thank you for an excellent description of what is happening in this Image. I’m so looking forward to sharing the UP with you and Elizabeth quite soon. You said it exactly: the dynamic range present in this photograph was very tricky to work with. I believe that the more you experience images like this and have the opportunities to work with this kind of range, you begin to be able to narrow the exposure choices down to two or three at most, and when you get that close it’s still a good idea to make all of those exposures so you can maximize your post-processing choices with a reasonable expectation of success. Of course, there are alternative choices such as multiple exposures and HDR that can be considered. The tree on the right allowed me to do as you suggest, but when I noticed the light filtering through the leaves on the ends of the branches, I knew it was something I wanted to take advantage of. We are very much looking forward to sharing this amazing place with both of you.
Hey Joel. It’s great to hear from you. And I’m very excited about sharing the UP with you as well. This is an intimate landscape paradise, so you and I will hardly know what to do with ourselves. Hope you have been well. Bonnie and I are both looking forward to seeing you. Thanks for your kind comment.
Hi Ray. As always, I do appreciate your thoughtful comments. I think you and Kevin and I are in complete accord about the backlit leaves on the far-right tree and the magical quality they impart to the overall image. Are you sure you can’t find a good reason to be in Ottawa National Forest in early-October? Actually, Craig Lake is a state facility, but Ottawa is right next door. Hope all is well with you.
Thank you all, again, for being with me on this adventure. Over the years I have watched as more and more workshop companies have “discovered” the UP. It is with both delight and dread that I observe this. The economies of the UP can certainly benefit from the increased visitation, but I fear the negative effects of such intrusions. We all have a role the the preservation of this beauty, whether we are visitors or merely observers from afar.
Hi, Don. I would LOVE to do the trip with you this fall, but that old nemesis (“work”) is going to continue to get in my way of living! Thank you for the invitation; my consolation is knowing I’ll see some beautiful art come from it. Ray