Try shooting black and white

      Shooting photos of activities is part of any outdoor experience and there are many dazzling scenes to be captured in Michigan.  The image, above, was taken on the Au Sable River with an iPhone, but instead of snapping it in color, the photographer P.A. Rech used the black and white mode, which gives it a haunting, timeless feeling.  It was taken late in the afternoon when there were long shadows and good contrast.  On the Labor Day weekend, plenty of folks will be out  and about with their phone cameras. Try taking a few pictures in black and white to send out some different images to your friends. They stand out in a world of color.

Photo tips for shooting Mackinac Bridge

     Many people have taken photos of the Mackinac Bridge over the years, and they're in photo albums, on computers and phones. Taking a picture of the Big Mac is difficult. Most are shot from the same angle in Mackinaw City. If you're looking for a different view, simply drive across the bridge, turn right on U.S. 2 and take it to Straits State Park on Church Street. I've been going to the area for years, but only stumble on the park last year, when I was looking for a new bridge shot. The park was a delightful discovery, and is a refuge from the crowds in Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. The beach was uncrowded and it was July. There are camp sites near the water, walking trails and a shallow beach for letting the kids swim.