Another Cold Sunrise

Elvis was back at Cave Point on the shores of Lake Michigan early this morning. Clear and cold. Here are two more sunrise photographs for you to consider.

Both were made with the lens set at 14mm. That's w-i-d-e. You need to be at a nice spot and have lots of landscape to fill that much frame.

Both of these are HDR (high dynamic range) photographs. That is, Elvis took 7 photographs of each scene. Underexposing and overexposing. Then Elvis blended all 7 photographs into one. Please click on each one to view a big version and enjoy.

Both made with a Nikon D3s and 14-24 lens.

Fresh Snowfall

Elvis braved another cold morning to venture out to Cave Point County park in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin.  Two inches of fresh snowfall overnight guaranteed some pretty, artistic subjects.

Thick cloud cover prevented a sunrise photograph but every once in a while the sun would peak through, casting nice shadows everywhere.  Elvis set his camera up by these rocks and waited patiently.

Elvis is not complaining.  Standing on the shores of Lake Michigan watching the waves crash on the Wisconsin shore is a privilege.  Every minute here is a gift.

Photograph made with a Nikon D3s and 24-70 lens (set at 38 for photograph above, 60mm for the one below).  Elvis was shivering, so a tripod was used.

Sunset Over Egg Harbor

A beautiful winter sunset over Egg Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin. That's a cherry orchard in the foreground, and Green Bay in the background. It was as cold as it looks.

Made with a Nikon D3s and 24-70 lens set at 50mm

The Sea at Night

   The sea at night is dark and deep.  I've miles to go before I sleep.

   With that poetic stuff out of his system Elvis would like to direct your attention to the area where the water meets the cliffs on the right-hand side of the photograph.

   The waters of Lake Michigan were (mostly) still during this HDR set.  But not still enough to prevent the creation of a ghost-like transition area between water and rock.  The minor movement also blurred the submerged rocks in a rather artistic manner.  

   The subtle water movement is a result of long exposure times in the darkness after sunset.

Made with a Nikon D3s and Nikon 14-24 lens on a Gitzo tripod.  7 shot HDR set at f/6.3 and ISO 200.

Reflections

Elvis sometimes wonders if the things we like are a reflection of who we are.  

Do you enjoy peaceful scenes like the one below?  Or do you prefer pictures of raging rivers and sharp rocks?

Is there some relationship there?

Perhaps what we like is more a reflection of what we're not.  In other words, we like things that are different simply because they are different.  If we're Type A we might enjoy peaceful scenes.  If you're quiet and contemplative maybe you like pictures with more action.

Or is Elvis full of it?

Made with a Nikon D3s and a Nikon 14-24 lens.  5 shot HDR set at f/6.3 and ISO 200.