I visited a friend in NW Michigan in early June, the first time I have been to that part of the state in many decades. I wanted to travel light, so I took my Canon 6D and two Lensbaby lenses. I intended to bring my Burnside 35 with me, but discovered when I arrived that I picked up my Velvet 56. This is the second time I have pulled the Velvet instead of the Burnside, but it performed well for me. I also had my Edge 35.
Frankfort Pier, Velvet 56
I was amazed by Lake Michigan. It is huge! It seemed like an ocean, and the sunsets were superb! I got lucky with the image below when the bird flew into my shot.
Velvet 56
I was told by my friends that the image below is “so Michigan.” People sitting on the beach wrapped up in blankets to keep warm. I had just traveled from Washington, D.C. where the weather was heating up, so I appreciated the moderate temperatures.
Velvet 56
I did not know this, but Lake Michigan has some steep sand dunes. We took a look at the lake from the top of one of its most famous ones, Sleeping Bear Dunes. The sign on top of the viewpoint said, “Enjoy the view from here, or expect a two-hour hike back up or a sea rescue.” Needless to say I stayed at the top.
Edge 35
There were a few people who decided to walk down the dune. You need to look closely, because they look like miniatures in contrast to the size and steepness of the dune.
Edge 35
The lake’s water was an interesting combination of blues and greens. It was so impressive!
Edge 35
On another day we went to the State Hospital in Traverse City that has been shut down for many years. It is being converted into shops and condos, but they have a tour of one of the buildings that hasn’t been renovated and the steam tunnels. I took my Velvet 56 along with me.
The steam tunnel was interesting and challenging to capture images due to lack of lighting. I was impressed with how my Velvet 56 performed.
I had a great four-day break in NW Michigan and look forward to coming back again to explore the upper peninsula, which I am told is a photographer’s dream. I loved capturing images with two favorite of my favorite lenses the Velvet 56 and Edge 35. Perhaps I will be more careful when I dip into my drawer of Lensbabies and take the Burnside 35 out for a spin. It must be feeling a bit neglected.
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