Reaching Into the Lake, a photo from Michigan, Midwest

Photographer's Note

Two lighthouses sit on a pier that reaches into Lake Michigan from the shore of Grand Haven at the mouth of the Grand River, Michigan's longest. The inner light, the near one in this photo, is sheathed in steel painted fire engine red. The outer one was built in 1875. That one contains a fog horn as well.

The original lighthouse was on shore but was destroyed in an 1852 storm. A new one was built in 1855 on higher ground but then replaced by this one in 1905. The light keeper's house was kept on shore and sold off in 1956. The light of the 1855 tower was able to penetrate 18 miles into the lake and revolved once per minute. That light is visible today in a museum in town.

The building at the end, the outer light, looks like it contains a light keeper's house but in fact it does not. The building at one time contained boilers that powered a powerful fog horn. Today the horn has been replaced with a whistle type of sound. There is a warning that says to stay 100 ft (30 meters) from the horn when it blows. Of course it then goes on to say it could sound at any random moment.

The pier itself was built over time with numerous additions. Starting at shore it began moving into the lake and finally reached its current 1151 (350 meter) length with the the construction of the new lighthouse. It was shaped to resemble the prow of a ship at its end to help it weather the lake's storms. The catwalk was built to allow access to the two buildings during all kinds of weather, which can swamp this pier with ferocious waves.

And if you look carefully on the horizon on the right side you can see a lake freighter. I will let you see that ship up close in the future.

You can also take a look at this lighthouse in some impressive winter photos here .

Another member of TE, Smiley , has some great photos of this pier and the pier adjacent to it in stormier conditions. One such photo is this one .

snuggleaphagus, carmem_busko, migtey, Endy, efimoore, jhm, orme, aryary, papagolf21, carper, mdchachi, Kenny10pin, elihesamian, alpayzeybek, robiuk, bpelvan, ChristianS, Liora, bertolucci, kajenn, Zanni, premels, Rinie_Hoff, hojper, c_kyr, Jeppe, DigiSpy, chiaraluna, asajernigan ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

carmem_busko (3718) 2004-10-26 22:59

The lower angle and contrasting reds make this picture very impressive.. I've added to theme perspective.
C.

snuggleaphagus (4146) 2004-10-26 23:03

Your angle is so wonderful beause it shows the pier and the light house as one would see it while walking. The arch forces the eye to pay attention to the flyng bird and the freighter, another postential photo on its own. I also like the little hiamn by the second building9 now my mind can come up with a story of a lonely human fishing at the end of the pier). So many details that make this more than just a light house.
Not only are your photos always great, but I can truly say I've lesrned so much from your notes too.

Endy (1025) 2004-10-26 23:51

Wonderful perspective, here Paul! The point of view closes to the ground accentuates this perspective. I like also the strong contrast created by the red lighthouse with the sky. The foreground is interesting because we can admire the beautiful texture of cement.

Nice composition Paul !

Humberto (36) 2004-10-27 0:59 [Comment]

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efimoore (2126) 2004-10-27 1:13

Paul, this is an excellent lighthouse shot. The low angle shooting gives good view of the path and adds interest. And the perspective… (well I will not add to what already mentioned). You got good DOF along the whole picture. Too bad there are not much clouds, but nothing you could have done about that…

jhm (211736) 2004-10-27 2:22

Two lighthouses in one image Paul, this wonderful the sharpness of the pier is excellent, the horizontal cables give a great perspective with lovely depth, you note is completely, very nice job here!

orme (7219) 2004-10-27 2:55

Your POV for this shot is just excellent, Paul. Good detail and colour on the first lighthouse. I like the perspective created by the lighthouse on the horizon and how the band of light joins it with the ship. Well seen and framed. Thanks for the links to the other shots too.

MiraNovianti (60) 2004-10-27 2:57 [Comment]

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aryary (126) 2004-10-27 3:23

Good photo with rich color. I like the perspective created by the structures ending up in the sea.

papagolf21 (152607) 2004-10-27 3:54

Tout d'abord, Paul, un grand merci pour cette note très riche en informations. Vous savez nous intéresser chaque fois par des images sortant de l'ordinaire. Ici, l'histoire d'un phare et de ses abords.
La composition est parfaite, nous avons l'impression d'être sur place et d'admirer la perspective de cette jetée jusqu'à la maison de gardien.
Une image excellente par ses détails et ses couleurs.
Encore merci, Paul.

carper (96) 2004-10-27 6:39

Very good one Paul,
I realy like the perspective in this one, the depth is great, the lines are good, very fine job Paul

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-10-27 11:08

great work here, i like the red towers here, really good work

Spoony (3539) 2004-10-27 11:47

Great perspective... I like the profundity idea. Very nice capture, no doubt!
Thanks for sharing. Well done and seen.

elihesamian (26149) 2004-10-27 12:26

Perspective!
colors!
very well spotted in "Red" as a(myebe)hiden element in this combination of elements,I think it's very strong in first view,then,the eyes underestand all frame at a second,great work,Paul,nicely composed(perfect),and ...note!as always,Thanks,I like it a lot,and let me say that I love this sky,too,great for making this light situation,too,witha fine horizon.
EXCELLENT,Paul.

bpelvan (3798) 2004-10-27 17:41

So many details in this well choosen angled sharp and colorful photo Paul. The red color of the lighthouses under the sky look so beautiful. Than the color of the ground completes the scene. Also very very good DoF you have here. Perfectly done. Thanks for sharing and your note.

cgrindahl (6113) 2004-10-28 3:24

This is a wonderful image Paul, and quite a departure from what we normally discover when we open your portfolio. Despite the leaden sky, the light at the horizon reflected on the water and the wonderful red of the lighthouse against the grey sky, are most inviting. I very much appreciate the low point of view you've taken. giving us all those fine lines to follow with our eye as we take in the composition. You even grace us with a soaring seagull and a ship at the horizon. Who could ask for more? Excellent work Paul.

maphoto (8082) 2004-10-28 5:40

Nice and sharp photo Paul, you chose an excellent point of view, great perspective. The light on the horizon works pretty well, the boat, all very good details, excellent depth, well done.

ChristianS (2997) 2004-10-28 16:22

Like your previous photo I find this one very well composed with both diagonal and horizontal lines and even vertical. The perspective is very nice, it makes the eye to follow the pier into the distance. And I like the contrast created by the grey sky and the red lighthouses. I like the strip of light too, it helps to enhance the horizon by separating the sky from the lake. Well seen and captured Paul!

Liora (1857) 2004-10-29 2:39

Splendid photo Paul! Fantastic composition leading the eye all the way to the horizon and its beautiful color. I did notice the freighter and the bird... they add interest and vividness to this already great scene. Well done!

nilolabrador (1469) 2004-10-29 10:38

What a shot! Perspective and color with
a shining low horizon. Beautiful and enriched by
the note. Thanks Paul!

ma-tibou (4568) 2004-10-29 11:54

bonjour Paul, une très belle perspective qui met bien en valeur ce beau phare et sa belle couleur.
Amitié/ Martine.

bertolucci (14052) 2004-10-29 17:08

Hi Paul, quite an impressive and deep capture you bring us here! The dominant feature of y'r comp is that it's bring my eyes in one strong movement to the horizon enjoying the main red-blue colour contrast along the way. After that they return almost automatically to savour all the very nicely rendered textures of the concrete, water & steel and the elegant structure supporting the powerlines. As usual y'r note is very well written & very informative. Great job!

kajenn (2462) 2004-10-29 19:37

Once more a Wow-image, Paul! Strong colors, low angle, great perspective and amazing light in an outstanding combination. This really shows Lake Michigan as 'an ocean'. The ship is adding to that impression, as does the light on the horizon - far, far away. The pier and the metal construction (is that what you call 'the catwalk' and how does that work?) - as well as the two lighthouses - breathe times gone by and early industrial ages. In your note I like the passage about the warning saying 'it could sound at any random moment'. I guess if you're within 100 ft, you'll have to dive into the water... ;o) I mark this one a favorite. Well seen and very well done!

Zanni (6108) 2004-10-31 1:08

It seemed to me a quite place but I have seen the photos of these two lighthouses during bad weather and it has made a strong impression to me. Certainly they are different from lighthouses I have seen before. First all the position: abandoned in the middle of water they seem without defense (infact, as you write, another ligthouse was destroyed by a storm). Second thing: their nummber. Usually I see only a lighthouse for time! Third think: the catwalk. I like this pow and perspective. The cloudy sky shows up more the red color of lighthouse especially that one in forewground. Great note great as usual.

premels (2400) 2004-10-31 14:36

I like the perspective, the sharpness and the bright red of the Light houses. I appreciate the extensive documentation. The light at the horizon invites to travel and sail.
Reading critics of others after writing mine I see they already said it all. So I just add my voice to the chorus.

Rinie_Hoff (9340) 2004-10-31 17:44

Hi Paul, it has cost me days, before I found time to commnet on this lovely lakeside picture. Too busy.
The composition and the lines, the curve in the pier that guides us out to the lake, are very nice.
Lighthouses always give me a sort of safe feeling, and I can imagine they have always been a landmark for sailors.
I have been near the great lakes in Canada, like lake Erie, and lake Ontario, and travelled by train from Ottawa to Prince Rupert, BC, and passed lake Superior, and I can teel you that I could hardly imagine the size of these lakes, coming from a country as small as the Netehrlands!

hojper (2832) 2004-11-01 11:50

There is a lovely light in this shot in spite of the grey weather. And all the perspective lines leading the eye to that fine line of light on the horizon work beautifully.

c_kyr (1810) 2004-11-01 22:12

Great photo Paul.
The depth view is amazing.
the red color adds a lot to your photo, as well.
Very well done!

Jeppe (18654) 2004-11-22 17:03

Excellent angle and composition you have chosen for this shot - I like the fine golden glow at the first tower as well as refections in the water telling us about a low sun in the horizon - amazing lake - i would say ocean :-)

Thanks for the note and links very informative - could it be lamppost at the wires - or just isolators for the power.

Thanks Paul

vascao (192) 2004-11-28 8:43

Really a work of art. The perspective leads us to the end of the pier.

DigiSpy (214) 2004-12-09 15:40

Very good depth. Awsome detail en colors. I like the contrast also very much, the bright horizon the most. I like your note, it is very informative and tells enought about. Surely one of my favs!

chiaraluna (14) 2005-02-09 23:40

oh i love this! i adore lighthouses and this is a spectacular shot! the POV and composition are wonderful and the rich red of the lighthouse just screams out to you.. thanks for all the useful info in your note too! great job :) - Ayda

anandselvi (1728) 2005-04-28 2:52

hi pamastro.
the lower angle and contrasting reds make this picture very impressive i ve added to theme perspective.
anand
[i am sorry no engilis i am try]

asajernigan (21427) 2006-12-02 12:02

Paul,
This is an outstanding photo with great DOF and sharpness. The colors and the sky make this photo special. Your perspective is very good, it looks as if we are walking down the pier.
TFS,
Asa