Big Red in the Morning, Holland, Michigan

by Liesl Walsh

Title

Big Red in the Morning, Holland, Michigan

Artist

Liesl Walsh

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photograph

Description

I live in Florida and flew to Michigan to capture this iconic Dutch architecture in Holland on Lake Michigan. I traveled a long distance and made a big effort to get to this location in the morning when the sky cast beautiful warm light onto the lighthouse. It's a magical time for photography and makes incredible photos! Most photos of the lighthouse are taken from the other side of the channel at Holland State Park at Ottawa Beach. I wanted to capture this photo from the north side. However, this area is restricted with limited access so I was unsure if I could get there.

I decided to give it a try. I got up really early in the morning to get there when the light was good. I did some research and found a place to park, but I had to walk quite a ways to get there, but it was worth it! I found a spot near the marina just as the sun came over the horizon with beautiful colors. I walked with my gear up to the channel to a little path by beautiful homes. I heard boats going by and the water moving towards Lake Michigan. It was so quiet and beautiful! I was worried this area is not always open to the public, but thankfully that morning it was! Not many people were around yet so I knew I could get a good photo. I could not see the lighthouse yet. It was on the other side of the sand dunes. I walked down the long narrow path of sand along the channel and could see Ottawa Beach and Holland State Park on the other side.

Finally I saw the bright pop of red in the distance - the lighthouse! And the sun cast a beautiful warm light on it. I quickly walked around the lighthouse to find the perfect angle ~ and I found this beautiful leading line of the sandy path bringing your eye right to the lighthouse. I love how peaceful this scene is in the morning. The water of Lake Michigan sat so still and it was very quiet. I had this little beach area all to myself for a few moments. I am so happy to capture this for you to enjoy! I took three photos of different exposures and blended them together as an HDR to capture all the details.

This beautiful big red lighthouse sits on a channel that connects Lake Michigan with Lake Macatawa. "Big Red" is also known as Holland Harbor Light. The original structure was built in 1872, and the current structure was built in 1907. It has a gabled roof which reflects the Dutch influence in the area. Each spring Holland, Michigan hosts the very popular Tulip Time festival.

This is a popular place for boating. Many people come to Holland State Park at sunset to watch the boats. This lighthouse brings back many memories for locals.

SOLD:
14" x 14" Throw Pillow to buyer in Fort Wayne, Indiana on 11-21-2021. Thank you!
20 x 16 Canvas print to buyer in Holland, MI on 1-7-2023. Thank you!
Cell Phone Case to buyer in Defiance, Ohio on 3-13-2024. Thank you!

Contest Wins:
First place in "Lighthouses of the Great Lakes" contest 6-29-2021

Featured in the following FAA Groups:
Digital Paintography 1-27-2020
Water Forms 1-27-2020
HDR Photography 1-27-2020
Created by Southern Artists 1-27-2020
Fine Arts Professionals 1-28-2020
Exploration Photography 1-28-2020
Ocean Photography and Art 1-28-2020
Images That Excite You 1-28-2020
USA Photographers Only 1-28-2020
Photo of the Day for "Vintage or Antique" in USA Photographers Only 1-28-2020
Your Story of Art 1-28-2020
Digital Art and Photography For a Simple Imagination 1-29-2020
10 Plus 1-29-2020
Lady Photographers and Artists 1-31-2020
Colors Blue Turquoise Photography and Paints 1-31-2020
Photographic Camera Art 2-1-2020
Red 2-1-2020
Your Very Best Photography 2-2-2020
Just Perfect 2-2-2020
Daily Promotion 2-4-2020
No Place Like Home 2-14-2020
Weekly Fun For All Mediums 2-16-2020
Travel Art 2-19-2020
Camera Art 3-3-2020
Art Forever With You 4-16-2020
Mind-Blowing Photography 6-30-2021
Orange Yellow Red Photography and Paints 7-1-2021
Paints and Art Photography 7-1-2021
The Outdoor Photographer 11-24-2021

Uploaded

January 27th, 2020

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Viewed 1,148 Times  -  Last Visitor from Syosset, NY on 04/24/2024 at 2:14 AM

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