Lighthouse
Sunrise Frolic
I stopped on my way to the church this morning and took some photos of the sunrise from Algoma’s marina. As I was snapping, a couple of seagulls were bumping into each other in front of the sun. Unfortunately, I missed the moment when they made contact.
There will be a few more photos from this session. Watch for them to show up here in the next few days.
To see a larger version of this image, just click on the photo. And, by all means, if you like it, share it.
Algoma Sunrise Panorama
This is one of my earliest attempts to create a panoramic image by “stitching” together several individual photos. If I remember correctly, this is a combination of five photos.
The narrow format of this blog doesn’t offer the best view of wide images. This is one you’ll want to see larger. To do so, click on the image.
To see a variety of Pops Digital panoramas, look over our Panorama Gallery.
Beaming Breakthrough
The sunbeams breaking through the cloud cover made this a magical morning in August of 2011. It was a scene that only lasted a few minutes, but I was able to get several good images of the Algoma, WI lighthouse and harbor under this “special effects” lighting.
You can see a larger version of this image if you click on it.
Backlit Lighthouse
High Contrast
This is a study in contrasts. The contrast of black and white tones and the contrast of the small fishing boat at the harbor and the large ship off shore.
It’s not often I see a large ship this close. There were strong winds coming from shore on this morning. I believe they might have been keeping closer to shore where the seas would be a bit calmer than farther out.
To be honest, I wasn’t overly impressed with this photo…wasn’t sure if I would post it. The rich tones in the upper sky convinced me it was worth sharing. Feel free to offer your own opinion by leaving a comment.
To see a larger version of this image, simply click on it.
Break of Dawn
The rising sun begins to peek from behind the Pier Light at Algoma, WI. The below zero temperatures caused steam to rise off of Lake Michigan. Even with the bitter cold temperatures, the gentle movement of the waves from the lake keep the harbor from freezing solid.
This was a tricky shot to get. I had to climb down the ice-covered, rock embankment of the marina to get as close to the harbor surface as possible.
The most amazing thing about this image, to me, is that I was able to capture this with my old camera. My Kodak Easyshare DX7590 was a decent camera but far from a DSLR.
I was honored to have this photo featured on a prominant photography website – Earthshots.org. See it HERE.
Opening Scene
I was hunting for a sunrise on a Saturday morning in September. Never actually saw the sun.
Those light streaks along the horizon were a muted orange color…so, I knew the sun was out there somewhere, but it didn’t show it’s face for this shoot. The great cloud bank redeemed the morning and gave me several interesting images. A good example is the panorama I posted as Panorama Perspective.
This was taken at the beach in Kewaunee, WI on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
Click the image to see a larger version.
Sunrise Sedation
To me, the burnt-orange tone of this sunrise seems more appropriate for a sunset…like it’s the end of a day…when it’s time to dial down and relax. This image doesn’t inspire a bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed response in me.
So, as the artist who holds the copyright on this image, you have my written permission to view it as a sunset if that works better for you. I’m sure we could find a clinical study somewhere that proves a little self-delusion, at times, is healthy.
For the staunch realists of the world – that sun, peaking through the lens of the Algoma, WI pier light is, in fact, rising . Algoma is situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
On a side note: I’m always working to increase the number of regular visitors to this website. If this image appeals to you, please share it with friends. Thanks.
Algoma Lighthouse Rainbow
These images are some of my earliest, serious photographic attempts to capture of one of my favorite subjects – the Algoma, WI harbor and lighthouse.
This photo dates back to September 28, 1996. It was taken with my Kodak Easyshare DX7590 – a moderate step above a point-and-shoot camera that had a whopping, 5 mega-pixel sensor and a 10x optical zoom.
After a day of working at the church, I started for home. As I drove by the harbor, I noticed the rainbow. I grabbed my camera and a new toy I had just received as a birthday gift a couple of weeks before – a circular polarizing filter. It’s the filter that really brings out the colors of the rainbow.
A couple of things I remember from that shoot… The rainbow was strong and lasted a long time. I was able to take several photos from different locations around the harbor. Usually, about the time I get the camera out and the filter on, the beauty has faded.
I also remember being concerned about my camera, since there was a light drizzle falling. I remember crouching under a very small tree to try to keep it dry.
Keeper of the Lighthouse
This view of the Algoma, WI lighthouse was taken early in the morning. I believe the bird is a cormorant.
This was taken a good distance from the subject. To make the cormorant the focus of the shot required a pretty aggressive crop. There’s quite a bit of digital noise in the image. I decided I liked it and did nothing to diminish it.