Algoma
Backlighting II
A full moon rises above Lake Michigan behind the lighthouse at the mouth of the Algoma, Wisconsin harbor.
I consider this a companion image to a sunrise I captured in a similar pose – both taken within a week of each other. The original “Backlighting” is on the right. Click it to view the full size post.
Getting the moon (or sun) in just the right position is a challenge in itself. You don’t realize how much movement there is in a rising or setting sun. The moment you get into position, the subject has moved off their mark. On both of these shots, I would be constantly moving to my left and down the bank along the beach, trying to line up the shot.
To see a larger version of either images, just click on them.
Backlighting
I’ve taken a lot of photos of the Algoma lighthouse over the years, but never one from this angle. With the tree to the left and the grass in front, it looks like an altogether different place.
The Algoma, Wisconsin harbor is before the lighthouse, the sun rising above Lake Michigan is behind the lighthouse and the tree on the left is one that lines the parking lot of the youth club.
The telephoto lens I used makes them all seem much closer to each other.
You can view a larger version of this image by clicking on it.
Solar Power
Fan Dancer
This was an American Goldfinch that I found by the marina in Algoma, Wisconsin. He was feasting on the thistles growing near the water’s edge; pulling out the white tufts and munching on the seeds. As you can see, thistle seeds are light and airy and tend to float with the breeze.
To get a closer look, click on the photo and it will open in it’s own browser tab.
Morning Star
The sun was fighting to peek through the clouds as it rose over Lake Michigan and the lighthouse and harbor of Algoma, Wisconsin.
The sharp lines extending from the bright sunlight was achieved by using a Star Filter on the camera lens. Because of the cloud cover, this scene was rather dark when I captured. That’s also why there is a lot of camera noise (that grainy look) after brightening it with photo software.
To view a larger version, click on the photo.
Angling in a Fog
A lone fisherman waits in a fog for the first bite. He’s fishing for salmon or trout in the waters of Lake Michigan from the pier in Algoma, Wisconsin.
This was the scene I found last Saturday. I stopped and took a number of photos of this guy…and the lighthouse and flowers and bees and birds…”whatever caught my eye.”
To get a better, larger view, just click on the image.
Watchful Eye
Here’s a little touch of nature for you. I stopped to take some photos around the harbor at Algoma, Wisconsin. It wasn’t a foggy day elsewhere, but conditions were right to create a foggy area around the piers and lighthouse. I took a few photos (some I’ll be posting later) of the pier and a fisherman in the fog, and the lighthouse and boats.
As I finished and headed back to my vehicle, I noticed a few wildflowers growing near the water. I stopped to take a few random shots. Then I noticed a few bees – always a favorite photographic subject of mine – so I stopped to take a few photos of them. Then, as I started to leave again, I noticed a flash of yellow. An American Goldfinch landed in a nearby patch of thistles to enjoy a meal. It didn’t seem bothered by my presence, so I started taking photos. (Some I’ll post later.)
While concentrating on the Goldfinch, I happened to notice a bee in the foreground and refocused on the bee for awhile…as the bird continued to feast in the background.
The one thing I don’t like about this image (and others in the batch) is the background. I think it looks unnatural and fake. The background is simply the water of the harbor. I would have preferred something that had a little more color variation, instead of the flat blue, but I wasn’t able to change my position to create a different look. The thistles were only a foot or two from the water and I was shooting from a position higher than the bird.
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Big Red
This fireworks burst turned the water red. This was part of the 26th annual Shanty Days celebration in Algoma, Wisconsin – on the western shore of Lake Michigan.
The fireworks are launched from the pier and people line the shore to watch the fun. As you can see, I was positioned on the beach, at the waters edge. If you’re familiar with the area, you might recognize the Algoma lighthouse – it’s that little red dot on the far right of the photo, just above the water.
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Blooming in Black & White
I love fireworks. The climbing rockets, bursting into bright, streaming displays of color and light are an irresistible enticement for my photographic efforts.
I decided to try something unusual with this one. The shape of the bursts reminded me of flowers blooming. Rather than emphasize the color, I removed all color to accentuate the shape.
I wasn’t sure I’d like it without the color, but the more I look at it, the more it appeals to me. I really like the firework’s reflection in the water.
If you have a large monitor you may be able to view a larger version of this image by clicking on it.