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| The lighthouse at Whitefish Point. |
The fall season had barely begun in northern Michigan, yet
it was cold enough to make a Floridian wear three layers of clothing, a wool
cap and thick gloves. Eager for a brisk morning on Lake Superior’s shoreline, I
left a toasty warm RV in the dark morning hours to begin the 2-hr drive to the
upper peninsula’s Whitefish Point.
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| Not far from here, the Edmund Fitzgerald went down in history. |
Arriving at Lake Superior shortly after sunrise, I
immediately felt the great lake’s generous offering of a bitter northerly, strong
enough to maintain the lake’s kinetic energy of waves. An experienced kayaker
or canoeist would have no problem navigating those waters - the lake that never
gives up its dead seemed subdued that morning. Yet the remains of large trees –
limbless, old and gray and carelessly thrown about the beach served as
reminders of the power of the great lake they call Gitche Gumee.
A grayscale sky met the horizon where the agitated Lake
Superior translated the muted light into a clear emerald, yielding gently to
the golden floor where rocks are ground down to sand. The damp cold air
contributed to a bleak monochrome mood, but the soft emerald and gold hues
added warmth to the scene.
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| Click on an image to enlarge. |
The muted tones and narrow dynamic range pulled me toward a minimalistic image – a simplistic scene that favors removal over inclusion. A photographer that prefers high dynamic range with bold or numerous elements and complimentary colors must unlearn or perhaps let go of tradition to best capture such low drama. Sometimes, all it takes is feeling the mood and nothing else.
I got out the neutral density filters and adjusted the
shutter speed to 20 seconds. It was enough to smooth out the fast waves and
minimize the great lake into a soft blend of blue tones that melted into the
sky. Half lost in a blur of motion, the water-beaten pilings stood in soft
procession, adding interest to the negative space created by the long exposure.
Lake Superior is known for its violent waves that meet a final reckoning on its shoreline. Add driftwood, a ship, lighthouse, or snow and ice to the scene and the photographer will capture the complete essence of the great lake. But when the lake has quelled its violence for a period, a photographer can elevate its calm mood by removing the unnecessary.
“Where to next?”, she asked.
