Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Tips for getting accepted into microstock agencies

Mackinac Island trail - Mackinac Island , Michigan
Trail on Mackinac Island

If you want to get accepted as a contributor into microstock sites like shutterstock you have to submit 10 photos for review and 7 of them have to pass.

Some tips for getting accepted are:

Thursday, July 14, 2011

"The Storm" Grand Haven Lighthouse , Grand Haven Michigan

Storm force winds pound the Grand Haven Breakwater Lighthouse
in this October , 2010 scene.   My favorite time to photograph lighthouses is in the fall when the strong low pressure systems blast through pushing strong storms and north winds.  Grand Haven is one of my favorite places during these events

For me the best way to capture these big waves crashing is to use a mono-pod or take your tripod but don't open the legs, extend them but just leave them together. You can move around easier that way plus 45 to 65 mph winds don't agree with tri-pod legs much. Hold the camera steady, compose a good shot, watch through the viewfinder and wait for a nice big wave crashing into the lighthouse and then let the shutter fly a few times.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

"Graveyard Coast II " - (Mary Jarecki shipwreck) , Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

The Mary Jarecki was a wooden bulk freight steam Ship 645 tons, 200 feet in length. It hit Au Sable Reef and went down on July 4, 1883. She lost her way in heavy fog that frequent the area. These shipwrecks are a reminder of the incredible power of Lake Superior.

The Jarecki shipwreck is located on the shore of Lake Superior just north of the mouth of the Hurricane River.  Here is a nice Map of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore  by Michigan interactive.

Monday, July 11, 2011

"Miners Castle Sunset" - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - Munising , Michigan



I'm always looking to find a different point of view when photographing places that have been photographed over and over again although my guess is quite a few people have captured Miners Castle from this perspective. One leg of my tripod was hanging off the cliff which rises 200 feet above Lake Superior. The spot I am standing on is undercut from erosion so it's kind of scary. Definitely have to be very cautious...

Sunday, July 10, 2011

"Rock River Falls" Rock River Wilderness Area - Near Chatham , Michigan


 It's quite an adventure getting to this remote waterfall located in the rock river wilderness, Hiawatha National Forest. We drove five miles in on an old two track , parked and walked additional 1.5 miles or so on an unmarked trail. I have been to dozens of waterfalls in Michigan but this was our first time to Rock River falls . This falls is not huge but is now on my top five favorite Michigan waterfall list. After I photographed the falls I climbed up and enjoyed a refreshing shower. It didn't look like anyone had been there in awhile.

Friday, July 8, 2011

"Spray Falls" Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Spray Falls in my opinion is the most impressive of the waterfalls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The 70' waterfall shoots over the cliffs at Pictured Rocks and lands directly in Lake Superior. It took my wife and I about three hours to hike to this lookout of the falls , we stopped a couple of times for a drink and to take other photos. T o get a great late evening shot of  Spray Falls , you would have to pack in and camp overnight because of the long trek back to the trail head. Here is a Map of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from Michigan interactive.

About Me

My photo
Hi, My name is John McCormick I’m an avid Michigan / Great Lakes Landscape Photographer. I am a life long Michigan resident and have been into landscape photography for over 30 years. On my website Michigan Nut Photography I offer high quality Fine Art Prints for the home and office. Also available are canvas wraps, standouts, framed prints, mugs, glasses, magnets, and a variety of other gifts and merchandise all of which can be printed on with a photo of your choice in my galleries.