North Shore Minnesota
Palisade Mood
Palisade Head
Silver Bay, Minnesota
After a brief thunderstorm had passed by the North Shore, I stopped at Palisade Head to taking in the views. The rocky landscape was a bit slippery so I had to be cautious while walking around the area.
The thunderstorm had left the area quite moody with a slight warming tone. The sunlight was slowly peeking through the clouds leaving the rocky scenery highlighted with its muted colors contrasted with the gray skies.
Many visitors stop here to observe the vast views of Lake Superior at this rock wall taking their own images of the body of water and landscape. The rock wall in the foreground to me represents an iconic part of this landscape where many could connect to.
It was definitely a simple, yet, unique perspective for my eye to capture.
The Heart of Gold
The Tombolo
North Shore, Minnesota
I've seen countless images of the tombolo and I made it a mission to capture this moment. On hazy summer evening, I ventured to this location along the North Shore.
Upon arriving here, I was a bit skeptical about the trail to get here. I ventured through the trail feeling all kinds of nerves but as I got on the shoreline I was rewarded to this iconic gem.
Once I laid eyes on this beauty, I was more at ease. The calming subtle waves creating harmony with the rocks setting the tone for the vibes here. As I set up my gear to capture this moment, the sun was lending its rays onto the tombolo creating this golden glow and at this point, I thought about my Grandmother and the stories about her when I was growing up.
Where I came from in New Jersey, She was a Librarian who was kind to everyone. She would help people by displaying her love and kindness to anyone. Most would say that she had a heart of gold.
Seeing the tombolo in person in this golden glow made me really appreciate this moment in time.
High Falls Garden
Grand Portage Sate Park
Grand Portage, Minnesota
On a family road trip from Duluth to the Canadian Border, I wanted to show the family the beauty of Minnesota's North Shore. a few months back, I stopped here during a moody evening but to no avail. The conditions weren't in my favor.
On this day, I decided to give it another go. The sunlight had provided the right amount of light in the right direction for me. I didn't want just an image of high falls but more of a feeling of what you can see leading up to it.
The nearby foreground was illuminated perfectly. The lush greens complimented the brown stonewall creating an earthy tone to the waterfall. The Pigeon river was flowing nicely creating this oasis of earth that seemed unreal.
Tempered Well
Temperance River State Park
Schroeder, Minnesota
The North Shore was under some fog on this spring weekend and I felt it would be a good opportunity to display this location under a moody condition. The mouth of temperance river flowing into Lake Superior is a known iconic scene along this park.
It began to rain when I arrived here leaving the window to capture this mood very slim. I decided to go with a different approach to capturing this scenery with the well that was nearby. I personally believe that this well is overlooked since the majority of visitors experience the temperance river merging with the big lake.
In ways, I feel as if God was directing me to this position to capture it with this composition. I can’t say if I ever saw an image composed like this here. I’m beyond grateful for the circumstances that lead me to this moment. The mood captured here was truly remarkable and very memorable.
Earth’s Delight
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Two Harbors, Minnesota
After some much needed rain, I decided to venture up to Gooseberry Falls and check out the waterfalls. Spring was definitely in the air along the North Shore and I wanted to create a more earthy welcoming vibe.
The lighting gave the trees and unique feel and it also highlighted its beauty even more. It was a feeling of stepping into a painting with a classic view of middle falls.
If These Walls Could Talk
Stoney Point
Duluth, Minnesota
The iconic fish shack at stoney point has seen many seasons along the shores of Lake Superior. On this day, I was struggling to capture any thing so I was deciding to call it a day and head home.
To my surprise, This sunset had emerged creating the gradual colors in the clouds. I quickly turned around and headed back to this shack since it was in the direction of the sunset. I was blown away by the colors and with the light changing so rapidly I wanted this shack to be the star of the moment.
There’s history about this shack and this was a much needed heroic capture of this icon.
Sunset kiss
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Two Harbors, Minnesota
After a long workday, I wanted to end it on a good note at Split Rock Lighthouse. Walking the shoreline here can be really peaceful. The smell of campfire was in the air and the lighthouse was sunbathing at the end of this August evening. I noticed that the sun was shining its last light directly on the lighthouse as if it was giving it a kiss goodnight before fading under the horizon. Split Rock Lighthouse is a well known icon along the shores of Lake Superior and I was glad that I was gifted with this beautiful light shining upon its structure.
After a series of images that I captured here, I somehow managed to drop one of my Neutral Density filters on the shoreline and causing it to break. It was a bit of a bummer but I managed to replace it in time. Though that hurt to see that filter get damaged, I left here with this amazing evening capture of such an iconic location on the North Shore of Minnesota.
Calming Haze
Hovland Dock
Hovland, Minnesota
There's such a charm on the summer days on the North Shore of Minnesota. The summers can be very lively with tourist and many locals alike outside and enjoying themselves with the natural landscapes and seascapes.
This old dock isn't recommended to walk on since it's on its last legs (quite literally) but it stands strong over the years. I've passed by here many times and told myself that I have to stop here one of these days.
On this day, I wanted to explore around here a bit more and I felt urged to stop here finally with the morning in a dense haze. Outside of combating with the mosquitos, I managed to find a good position to create a minimal style capture this old dock. Since I was under the hazy skies, I needed to find some kind of foreground leading to this old structure.
The shallow water displaying the nearby rock underneath made for a good foreground leading up to this dock in the haze. This to me, was a very unique mood for this known gem.
Friday
Enger Park
Duluth, Minnesota
I went to run some morning errands to get the day started off early and as I was driving home, I got a glimpse of the morning light slowly creeping upon the horizon. I wasn't too far from home and made a pit stop to grab my gear and set off to Enger Park for the morning light displaying its beauty over Duluth.
Within 20 minutes after arriving to this location I was greeted by some Deer that was nearby. They seem quite at peace with me, and a few other locals who were around.
I knew that Enger Park would be a perfect spot to capture the sense of depth of this bench and the city from afar. Beyond this bench was some nearby trails that seemed quite promising to venture for a better view but I decided to stay in this area since my gear was set up and ready to go.
The soft glow became more vibrant as the sunlight was rising more toward the southeast creating this radiant glow of light that showered the city giving anyone a great showing on this Friday morning.
My only thoughts were at this moment was "I can only imagine the stories behind this bench and how many folks may have memories of sitting here."
Into The Void
Cascade River State Park
Lutsen, Minnesota
On a mild December along the North Shore, I spent time at a nearby cabin to space myself away from the busy life. I took a stroll through Cascade River State Park and it just felt kinda weird hiking in mild weather. It literally didn't feel like December, but more of an extended October in my eyes.
The trees were bare and the cascade river was flowing quite nicely. Under the hazy sun that blew out some the sky, I was watching the flow of the river flowing into Lake Superior as this iconic overpass of highway 61 was in view, I had an idea to try to capture this beauty with the blown out sky.
It felt like the Lake was just this vast void that acquired all of the cascade river for itself. Black & White was definitely the choice with this panoramic to set the tone of this iconic park.
Guiding Light
North Pier Lighthouse (Canal Park)
Duluth, Minnesota
Before setting off to work on this morning, I looked out of my window and noticed the dense fog in the air. I knew this was the right opportunity to capture this lighthouse under these conditions.
Once I arrived here, I was the only one around. It was dead silent which kinda gave me the creeps a bit but I knew the goal I had in mind. It took me a bit of time to focus on this lighthouse since it was incredibly dark and I took a few test shots to get proper exposure and focusing to dial in the settings.
After a few minutes I was reviewing the series of images and I was impressed by the results. I had waited for this for sometime to capture this moment under these conditions.
The North Pier Lighthouse is an iconic landmark here in Duluth and along the Southwestern shores of Lake Superior. Many stop here to take in the sights and watch the ships come and go.
Summer Rainbows
Cutface Creek Wayside Rest
Grand Marais, Minnesota
I was prepping to car camp and wanted to stop here at Cutface Creek. I have so many memories here and during the winter months, it feels weird not stopping here.
On this summer evening, the shore was filled with an abundance of Mosquitos and I was getting eaten alive here. There was some thunderstorms that had just passed through the area and once the dust settled, A double rainbow emerged from the north.
One of the most notable things here is this red rock in the foreground. To me, it signifies peace along the lake here.
To see this under the double rainbow was just poetic to me and a great way to start this summer adventure along the North Shore.
The Hero of the Portage
Hollow Rock
Grand Portage, Minnesota
As the spring season was beginning to emerge, I took a trip up to Grand Marais to relax and unwind and just appreciate the little things. Since, I was up this way, I decided to drive up to Hollow Rock to see what's the shoreline looked like.
Water levels seemed pretty low at the time and the waves were crashing along the shoreline. I wanted a different feeling and fresh perspective to capture this iconic rock on the North Shore that many people visit on the daily.
I knew a slightly longer exposure would do the trick to capture the feeling of what I experienced here at the time. The positioning of my camera would give a different look to the rock that would seem like it's something different but it just felt unique to me at the time.
Superior Stillness
Split Rock Lighthouse State Park
Two Harbors, Minnesota
Lake Superior can have its calm days where you would never believe that it can produce massive waves that would scare the bravest person to venture out in its power. On this summer evening, I was greeted to its more calm quiet nature. The nearby campground was booming and shockingly, Not a soul in sight of the shoreline. After taking a stroll along the far end near Ellingson Island, I saw this piece of drift wood that stood out to me.
I wanted to capture the calmness of this shoreline along with the warm summer tones showcasing this moment of calm away from the lighthouse itself. I admit that Ellingson Island can be overshadowed because of the lighthouse.
The driftwood composed as if it's taking a relaxing break before the waves eventually claim it back and transport it to a different section of the lake.
It's as if that nature itself was taking a break from the hard work that it displays in front of our eyes on an everyday basis. A much needed rest indeed.
Island Reflection
The Rock
North Shore, Minnesota
On a summer day, I finally found this rock island that i've been looking for. I stopped here in the morning to see it firsthand and I was in awe of this beauty. I took some images when I arrived here and I wanted to come back later in the day as the light was in much more fitting.
When I arrived in the evening, I was in even more amazed than I was in the morning. The light was even more brilliant than before. Lake Superior was very calm and a near perfect reflection of the island off of the lake was just amazing. I took a series of images here and this was the final outcome.
After I took this image, I just sat here taking this beauty in.
Awakening Artist
Artist Point
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Before heading across the border, I stopped into Artist Point while the morning light was beginning to emerge. The atmosphere was quite pleasant, with some lingering fog that flowed anywhere I wanted to go. Lucky for me, it didn’t catch up to me here yet.
Upon viewing this morning sky, I took a stroll towards this slightly slanted bench since it captured my eye, complimenting the scenery here. It was a different approach to viewing this site under different lighting conditions. Artist Point never seizes to amaze me.
Vibrant Moods
Black Beach
Silver Bay, Minnesota
Spring was slowly creeping up along the North Shore and I had an urge to capture some colors to contrast the moody skies. I decided to visit Black Beach since the rocks were the perfect subject to capture.
I was having hopes that the sky would have cleared up but to no avail. The vast rock island was just radiating its natural beauty especially after some brief rainfall had passed by. This pile caught my eye as I was looking further up the shoreline towards Palisade Head.
I knew that a long exposure would suit this image best to give off the mood that I was feeling here.
Calming Cove
Artist Point
Grand Marais, Minnesota
This was a moment in Artist Point that I had to myself enjoying this calming scenery. Lake Superior can very relaxing even when the tides are subtle.
The morning sun had emerged and patches of fog and haze created an ethereal feeling here in Artist Point. It was one of those mornings where slowing down from the daily grind and just taking in this serene moment was pure therapy.
Steps to Oasis
Caribou Falls Wayside
Highway 61 (Lake Superior Coastline)
On an evening where waterfall chasing was on the menu, a stop at Caribou Falls was right up my alley. It was my first time here, and I had an idea on the hike to get there. Once we got here, there were a few folks out getting a slice of this oasis of a waterfall. I was blown away by the combination of the rock gorge walls and the flowing river making its way to the lake. I decided to get my feet wet (literally) and find what makes this scenery so magical. An abundance of rocks, patches of greenery, and the stairs leading down to this paradise was a perfect ingredient for this image.