Boardwalk to Oblivion
This boardwalk in St. Ignace, MI is underwater due to the high water levels in the Great Lakes this year. The long exposure (~90s) makes it look like you'...
Read more
This boardwalk in St. Ignace, MI is underwater due to the high water levels in the Great Lakes this year. The long exposure (~90s) makes it look like you're about to take a walk into oblivion...
Read less
Read less
Canon EOS 80D
Aperture f/32 ISO 100 Shutter 90/1 Focal Length 38/1 
Saint Ignace, Michigan, US
Aug, 2019Views
321
Likes
Awards
People's Choice in Beach Crossovers Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 20 rank
Top 30 rank
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Top 10 rank
Categories
Ultimate
donbenderphotography
April 22, 2020
Thank you for your kind words, Pixie! I'm glad you enjoy my work!😊
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in St. Ignace, Michigan in August of 2019. All of the Great Lakes levels were at near record levels, and this photo of the Straits of Mackinaw shows how this dock had been partially submerged.Time
I took this photo at around 3 p.m. at the American Legion Park in St. Ignace, Michigan. This image was taken facing north-east, and the clouds were starting to roll in from the north.Lighting
I wanted an ethereal look to the image I was creating, so I decided to shoot this with an ND filter and a long exposure. I wanted to capture the amazing clouds so that they looked like they were still moving, and I wanted to water to look soft and smooth. The lighting was all ambient, and decidedly bright for this time of day, with a late summer afternoon feel to it, which I think helped create the feel of the image.Equipment
I used my Canon EOS 80D, with my 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM zoom lens, at a focal length of 38mm. I used my Haida 10-stop ND filter with a circular polarizer. The exposure was 90 seconds, with ISO100 and aperture at f/3 to minimize the effect of the bright sun. I shot this with my camera mounted on my tripod, with a remote shutter release to minimize camera shake..Inspiration
I had just got my Haida ND filter kit, and I was experimenting with the different looks I could get with it. We had arrived in St. Ignace on our way back home from a long trip in Michigan's upper peninsula, and we stopped at the American Legion Park. We'd stopped there many times in the past when our kids were much younger so they could play on the nearby playground equipment as we were camping close by. But this time it was just my wife and I, and I thought this setting captured kind of the mystery and wonderment of being alone.Editing
Yes, I did some adjustments with Luminar's AI sliders, namely sky and landscape enhancers, as well as some minor color/lens corrections. I also used Luminar's Clone and Stamp tool to clean up a few areas.In my camera bag
I typically carry my Canon 80D with five lenses (50mm f/1.8, 10-18mm wide angle zoom, 18-55mm zoom, and 55-250mm zoom, 100mm f/2.8 macro). I also have my Haida M10 pro filter holder with a 10-stop ND and 3-stop GND filter. Of course, I always have my standard accessories like spare batteries, lens hoods, memory cards, etc., and I carry a Godox V860-II speedlight with MagMod Sphere & MagBeam flash modifiers.Feedback
My advice is always simple...soak up everything about where you are, and feel the story that starts to reveal itself about your subject and your surroundings. I'm always amazed that eventually a compelling story begins to emerge, and my job then becomes how best to capture that story. Sometimes that's easy to do, sometimes it's damn hard, and sometimes I'm not able to do it at all. It's those times that I just enjoy the story and the moment, and then later it drives me to get better at my craft so in the future I can perhaps succeed.
