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Light on Ice
Light on Ice
ti_evom


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Cold II (Basic Editing)
Camera: Pentax K10D
Lens: Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Pentax
Location: St. Joseph, MI
Date: Feb 1, 2010
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/350
Galleries: Architecture, Seascapes
Date Uploaded: Feb 1, 2010

 At the St. Joseph lighthouse. I'm surprised that I didn't fall on my ass or sprain a wrist walking out this far to the lighthouse. The entire walkway was covered in ice and I was slipping all the way down. The windchill down this far must have been in the single digits if not near 0...the wind was whipping around pretty strong. My tripod, even with it's metal spikes set out, couldn't sit very still on the ice. The wind kept making the legs uneasy. I really wanted to get some decent shots and get the heck out of there. I wasn't dressed very appropriately for the task. :-/

After looking at the shot I realized something. I probably could have climbed up the stairs and walked around towards the front. There is a smaller lighthouse just on the other side that is covered in ice like the vertical supports that you see here. You are talking suicide if you try to simply navigate your way around the side of the lighthouse. With the slick ice, you'd slip right into the water with nothing to hold you back. If I'm back in the area again, I'll try to climb up the lighthouse and go around to the other side. I've never seen a shot that close of the little lighthouse before. (We've all seen this lighthouse from a distance many many times before - I wanted to show something more unique) For anyone else that may think about attempting this trek, be VERY careful and wear crampons if you got 'em. I'm serious about the crampons. Any other type of walking shoe is risky.

Statistics
Place: 43 out of 154
Avg (all users): 5.7925
Avg (commenters): 7.2500
Avg (participants): 5.7321
Avg (non-participants): 5.8141
Views since voting: 913
Views during voting: 326
Votes: 212
Comments: 7
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AuthorThread
Canon EOS-50D
Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
 02/10/2010 09:19:23 AM
There is a sign on one of our Lake Michigan Lighthouse causeways which says, "In memory of those who died falling from this place, and those who died trying to save them." I love these fabulous Wintry scenes, but wonder if placing yourself (and possibly someone else) in this perilous position was worth it. There is a reason that one only sees these taken from a greater distance.

Sorry for the lecture, but before and after reading your narrative, I was appalled by the danger in which you placed yourself.

Next time, instead of climbing the stairs as you plan, maybe you should safely use the super zoom lens you're going to spend the next year saving for! lolllllllll
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
Nikon D750
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 02/09/2010 11:38:58 AM
Is that the St. Joseph Lighthouse??? Was the shoreline frozen as well? To me that was always amazing how the shorelines freeze...as a child I would walk out on the frozen waves/water...super clarity...well done
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS 77D
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Canon
 02/07/2010 07:11:36 PM
Nice shot but seems to focus more on the lighthouse than the ice.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L USM
 02/05/2010 05:43:28 PM
cool
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/04/2010 05:02:18 PM
Nice composition.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
Nikon D7000
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II
 02/04/2010 08:05:59 AM
Love your composition here.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 02/03/2010 10:03:56 AM
A bit too blue but a good photo.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
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