Still trying out the Orton Effect which I really like as a artistic rendering of a photograph. I believe that it works best with a lighter color that can becomes the glow in the image. Comments are always welcomed.

Straits of Mackinac

This Memorial Day Weekend I took a trip to the Straits of Mackinac. I passed many cemetaries on during the trip. It is was nice to see that so many have taken the time to honor our heroes who have sacrificed so that we may live in freedom, by placing flags on graves and paying their respects. Thank you to those who have served and to those who continue to serve.

The skies were mostly void of clouds, which is a killer for landscape photography. I did what I could and got a few good images. The Mackinac Bridge has probably been photographed millions of times. However, I have only had several chances and took the chance that there would be dramatic light. This is actually a 25 second exposure. I wanted to show the motion of the cars coming over the brige.

The second image is an abstract close-up of a tulip. This was taken with a macro lens and 3 extension tubes to allow an extreme close up. Feeling more comfortable with the camera and equipment allows me to try different things. Any thoughts on this????

The next image is a small field of Indian Paintbrush wildflowers. This was difficult because I was laying on my stomach and the black flies were swarming. Try concentrating with black flies on your ears, in your eyes and trying to fly up your nose!!

Finally, in another attempt at the Orton Process, these trilliums lining this road are not out of focus or dancing in the wind. This is a photographic effect that I am really liking.

May Newsletter Now Available

My May Newsletter is now available at http://www.tomhaxbyphotos.com/Newsletter/May_2009_Newsletter2.htm

Marsh Life

This is more of a naturalistic look at life in a marsh rather than another photogenic image. I was on my belly taking this photograph - trying something different.

Birds and Marsh Marigolds

Just a couple of new images to share. This morning I did my usual trip to the marsh. The marsh marigolds were at peak - on a weekend which is nice. Then after lunch, I climbed into my blind on the back deck. Nice that I have not had to travel far today for photos.

I have been wanting to photograph the visitors to my bird feeders. A bashful indigo bunting feeding would not show itself for the camera, hiding in the vegetation. Then, a male goldfinch and later a male Rose Breasted Grosbeak. I am very close, and although I am in a blind, the birds seem to sense my presence.

Yellow Tulip Re-Work

I have decided to spend more time on the yellow tulip image from Holland. Yes, it is flipped and the background has been darkened. I like the image in an artistic way. This will actually be a Mother's Day gift for my mom.

Grand Haven Light and Pier & Holland Light

Here is another from the trip to the Holland-Grand Haven Area. This photo of the Grand Haven Pier has probably been done many times. However, I have not successfully captured a photo into the sun like this before. There were lots of people on the pier, but perhaps this adds to the image.


The Holland Lighthouse known as "Big Red" is no slouch either. This was a cat and mouse between the clouds that were rapidly dissipating as a front moved through and a contractor scurrying about. Seemed like he was doing some inside repair work, painting maybe, but he was carrying ladders, tarps and other things. I did not want him in the image. So, I waited and waited and waited. Then it started to get really cold. Finally, the contractor was gone and I had a few clouds left.

Tulip Time in Holland

Just returned from a trip to Holland, Michigan for the annual "Tulip Time". I had a great time, and I think I got a few good images to share. The first is the yellow tulip with dew. The dark background was mostly courtesy of the sun only catching the tulip on the top of the tulip beds. I should thank the folks at the Veldheer Tulip Gardens. They let me in early on Saturday, before the wind picked up, the dew dried and the crowds arrived. They were super friendly and their gardens are beautiful.


The sunset was taken at the Grand Haven Pier. Not much in the way of clouds while I was there. I was hurrying to change lenses as the sun went down. Yes, those are birds in the image to the lower right. It was really cold out by the water, even though it is now May.



The next image is a 13-lined ground squirrel with which I shared a campsite for 2 nights. I don't think that the squirrel was screaming. I think it was belching because I fed it a few peanuts. People must have thought I was nuts sitting there photographing the grass. There were 2 squirrels in the area and one almost ran right over my leg.

Finally, for this first blog post from Holland, is another tulip close-up. I did not put any water on these as the photos were taken very early in the morning. I will hopefully be posting more of these images on the blog. Eventually, they will make their way to my galleries on my website.