Grim Detroit day, photo by John Levanen.
This isn’t a commentary on Detroit or today or anything like that. Just thought it was high time to blog a photo by John, and I quite like this one from a rainy Detroit afternoon in 1972!
Sunrise and ice sheets on Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair, Michigan, photo by radiospike.
This photo is part of a set of photos of the annual ice break-up on Lake St. Clair. Spike writes:
The ice started making deafening cracking noises and “glass shattering” noises as the sun’s first rays hit it. This was probably the last day to catch the ice blowing over from Canada as today was expected to reach 65 degrees.
The ice starts as a sheet on the lake’s surface, forming with days of sub-freezing temperatures. Strong winds crack the ice and break it into large floating pieces. Then the winds push the ice until it hits something to stop it… in this case, the Michigan shoreline. Some of the ice floes were standing 15 feet up in the air. What you see is entirely frozen lake. I’m standing up on the bank in Grosse Pointe Farms where the ice completely shattered and moved the concrete barrier.
Spike says that the Freakish Freeze feature in the Freep inspired his trip to the shore of Lake St. Clair. I confess that the same article has inspired me to keep an eye on photos from that area!
SkyShow
SkyShow, photo by Infinity Rain
This is the part where I’m supposed to say things … about all I can say is that this photo reminded me of the powerful film Koyaanisqatsi.
Apex: Silver Lake Sand Dunes, 2002
Apex, photo by rckrawczykjr.
Ralph does a lot of work with holgas, but this one is part of his Digital Goodness set.
The Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Mears, Michigan is a Michigan State Park Off-Road Vehicle Area, so if you’re in the “driving around on sand” mood, this is the place. If you’r in the “Wikipedia editing” mood, head over to Wikipedia and edit the Silver Lake State Park (Michigan) article!
Lansing Photo: A new Lansing photo blog
Sun sets behind Ottawa Power Station, photo by Apocaplops.
Erich Zechar, known as Apocaplops on Flickr, has recently started Lansing Photo. He says that after moving to the Capital City, he’s missed the community of photographers that he enjoyed in Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti. Rather than sit around and whine about it, he says he’s…
…creating this space to try to bring together people in the area who love Lansing, and love photography. Heck, loving Lansing is optional. Let’s just fill this void, and come together to create something new, something this area lacks and sorely needs.
Erich is featuring photos from area photographers and photo-related events in the Lansing area and also hopes to do photographer interviews and profiles in the future.
Saginaw Train Bridge
Saginaw Train Bridge, photo by n8xd.
Keith DeLong writes: This is a train bridge near St. Mary’s Hospital in Saginaw, Michigan.
I recommend you check this one out bigger.
Grand Rapids Bicycle Factory Ruins
Former Grand Rapids Bicycle Factory Fire | Smoldering Ruins 2, photo by Mr. Gillette & His Image-Making Apparatus.
A fire destroyed the former Grand Rapids Bicycle Factory last week, leaving a nothing but a burned out hulk that looks like something you’d have seen in London during the blitz. Brad also took some photos during the massive fire.
According to a story from WOOD-TV:
At one time the city had six factories making bicycles and Grand Rapids Cycle Company was the first and largest. The company put out 30,000 bicycles and the factory employed 200 people in its prime in the late 1800s.
Bicycle manufacturing in Grand Rapids was abruptly halted in 1899 as most of the bike makers were bought out and shut down by the bicycle trust out of New York. By 1903 the bicycle industry was completely gone.
Michigan Photographers: Bobby Alcott responds to reader questions
BenGreen asks “What photographers influence your work?”
I’ve always loved Annie Leibovitz, and was simply moved by her show at the DIA – it was an honor to be there. Garry Winogrand, W. Eugene Smith … I’m moved by the photographer that can capture the spirit of a person in a single frame. Architecturally, Margaret Bourke-White was an very early influence on my design, and later, my photography.
Cave Canem wonders “What kinda party stores should one ‘knock over’ to get a decent digital setup like yours?”
The ones that have a liquor license, of course.
One of the drawbacks of being a pro photographer is that one constantly has to reinvest in new equipment. It’s not a vanity thing, and not everything needs to be replaced — my main camera, a Hasselblad 500 EL/M, was built in 1965 — but the market changes rapidly, and to fall behind is to give up. Digital backs, lighting, new DSLR bodies, software … all are critical and volatile tools that have to be state of the art.
Bill Alcott (a relative) says “Please say something about the location of this photo.”
Last November, Cave Canem and I planned this elaborate shoot to coincide with the only time a full moon would rise over the city of Detroit as seen from Windsor. 
Well, the shoot was a bust, as we were way, way too close to make the moon dramatic enough. It was 4:30am when we gave up trying to make it work, and he suggested we go to the Ford Rouge factory to get some cool sunrise shots. We stood on a bridge over the Rouge River as the colors crept up on us. Cave has better shots of this place, but I was happy with the way this came out.
Kiddarhma (and CC) ask “How did you get EXPOSURE:Detroit going, and how is it going?”
My wife is from the wonderful city of Pittsburgh, and so we spend a few weekends there a year, visiting her Mom. I became friends with a great bunch of photographers there, and the beginning of our friendship coincided with the birth of the EXPOSURE program – a localized group of photographers that form a support system to grow as shooters and, once a month, to take over a space and celebrate the work of one of it’s members by devoting a gallery opening to them. After the Pittsburgh group found some real success, the founder of the group, Joey Kennedy, asked me if I would start a Detroit chapter to help local photographers grow and shine — how could I resist? I’ve had so many people help me along my path, and it thrills me to help others as well.
EXPOSURE.Detroit is going through a bit of a remake right now, as participation wasn’t at a sustaining level. We’re now starting to see the transformation bring real change to the group, and the members are becoming more involved. I’m excited about the future of the group.
Joan wants to know “Are there are any people or places in Michigan you’d really like to photograph?”
Other than the city, which offers a never-ending canvas to a photographer, I enjoy the coastlines and sailing. Not much compares to shooting a regatta on board a dinghy! I do love the Traverse City area, Petoskey and Harbor Springs — beautiful areas to landscape. Mackinac Island has been thoroughly photographed, but there are always new ways to show an old subject. The Dunes are fantastic at sunset, too. This is a magical state to photograph; there are so few places in the country that offers everything we have here.
Michigan Photographer Profile III
Prequel: Skyed
Day I: Michigan in Pictures talks with Bobby Alcott
Day II: Bobby Alcott responds to reader questions
Day III: Bobby’s Favorite
Lately it occurs to me: What a long, strange trip it’s been.
Lately it occurs to me: What a long, strange trip it’s been., photo by docksidepress.
Matt says that this was taken somewhere near Shakedown Street in
Grand Rapids, Michigan. I’m not familiar with that area of town, but I assume you take a left off Highway 61…
Michigan is the best state … now let’s prove it
Drift at Sunrise, photo by CaptPiper.
That’s the assignment given to Mitchell Hirsch (a fifth grader at George G. White Middle School in Hillsdale, NJ). Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to help Mitchell explain to his classmates and teachers why Michigan is the best state in the Country
Get all the details at Assignment: Why Michigan is the best state in the country on Absolute Michigan.
Michigan in Pictures 