DWarner
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo in St. Joseph, MI at Silver Beach County Park. A beautiful lakeside beach with 2 lighthouses, Curious George Childrens Museum, a beach carousel, a huge outdoor splash pad/sprinkler the kids can play in for hours, the best pizza place you can find, Parks on the beach, sand dunes, the most beautiful views, fishing, swimming, boating, a draw bridge for the big ships and the single family sailboats, and so much more this amazing town has to offer. The feeling of being at the ocean while being hours away from it and all with fresh water that doesn't make anyone...salty.Time
One of my favorite one day to weekend getaway spots that will always have you coming back for more. My girlfriend, Desari, and I woke up about 7am on a saturday morning wondering what to do with the kids for the weekend. Since I have been here before, due to my mom living 2 hours north of St. Joseph and passing through many times, I recommend we pack up and have a day vacation. We woke the kids, Alison - 16, James -16, and Jaxon - 8, and got in the car by 8am and headed out on our hour and a half drive to paradise. We got there about 10am from the couple bathroom stops on the way (kids never have to go at the same time). Spent the day exploring the beauty of Lake Michigan and the attractions spending the evening portion on the beach swimming and sunbathing. We walked out the long cement pier to the light houses around 830pm when it was starting to get a chill in the air and the sun was beginning its descent in the sky. We admired the boats and the light coming on in the lighthouse going inside and checking out the history of it. We walked back to the beach about 9:30pm while the kids took one last dip in the cool water as Desari and I stood holding hands watching the kids and sun get ready to kiss the water. The clouds in front of the sun lit up the clouds with magnuficent colors as i captured the beauty of the sunset that happens every night but never looks the same twice.Lighting
All natural and beautiful. No flash of a camera, no light posts, nolights from the city, just the raw natural light of the sun melting into night making it the best most natural, real, and authentic picture being 100% real like you are actually there.Equipment
I used my eye for natural beauty and my amazing camera on my Samsung Galaxy Note 5.Inspiration
The perfect day of family time with the kids, the amazing blend of colors, the feeling of my grandma who recently passed looking upon us in the glow of the sun, to the perfect ending with love as my girlfriend and I held hands with our toes in the sand, smiling as we watched our blended family swim together in the cool water of Lake Michigan. The perfect day was captured through this picture with the perfect ending like a fairy tale movie that leaves you smiling and feeling its magic.Editing
NoIn my camera bag
Just my camera...and a couple snacks.Feedback
The more you enjoy the surroundings you are in, the more you'll be in tune with the landscape and its magic capturing the perfect shot. A clear sunny day with a few clouds us the perfect setting to capture the colors as the sun shines through the clouds and shimmers off of the water.