Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse

The day before, weather made the waves too rough to go and while we lined up to board the next morning, they almost called off the boat ride again. I’m glad they didn’t. It was also nearing the end of the season and and the wind was blowing COLD.

Near the end of a commercial tour of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising, Michigan, the boat captain took us close by the Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse.

Along with a few other photographers on the top deck, I hugged the back railing and with a clear line of sight that was going to last for only a few seconds, I quickly changed to a telephoto lens then used myself as a gimbal to capture this lighthouse composition with dimension while it was surrounded by trees bursting in fall colors.

And, I chose a vertical vs horizontal orientation.

So many photographers capture this landmark from the viewpoint of “straight on from the front” that I didn’t want that look. As such, the other photographers on the boat had already lowered their cameras; Not me.

If you want to learn how I obtained this sharp image with a telephoto lens in vertical orientation on a pitching boat, check out my website’s blog story entitled, “My breathing technique for using a telephto lens from moving watercraft.” This link will open into a new window showing the story so you can easily return to the photography collections area of my website — specifically this detail page for the lighthouse.

This wooden lighthouse with a greet copper roof over the light tower is on the southeast shore of Grand Island and though the island is a designated National Reserve Area, the structure is on private land and is not open for public access.

It was built from 1868-1870 and operated only until 1913 when it was replaced by a new light at Munising.

A few years ago, the owner and a group of private citizens repaired the foundation then supported the keeper’s house and light tower with a series of cables.

From land, this lighthouse can be easily seen from Sand Point Beach, which is three miles east of Munising.

Viewing tip for greater detail: Click any of the images on this page for a larger view.

To purchase, contact me or email: DebbieWolfe@DebbieWolfeNatureArtPhotography.com