Sugarloaf

I departed for Sugarloaf Cove with a group of fellow photographers under pitch black skies, enduring temperatures sixteen degrees below zero. With no indication yet what the dawn light would bring, our hopes were high as we traveled to the cove amidst the bitter cold.

We followed the well-worn trail past the Sugarloaf Cove Visitor Center, finally dropping down to the rocky Lake Superior shoreline. First light was cresting the horizon as we approached the rock formations; stars were visible between the breaking clouds, and a steady wind blew in from the lake as we scattered across the shore. A hint of color decorated the soft cloud edges. Yes, it was going to be a good day for a photographer.

Winter had already draped the area in snow, and the cove’s rocks were covered in ice. The lake took advantage of this morning’s frigid temperatures and strong winds, using this combination of wintry weather to deposit its floating ice chunks onto the shore. Choppy waves appeared to bubble up from below the surface, accompanied by the inescapable din of floating ice and gusting winds. The cacophony of sensory stimulants produced an other-worldly experience for those of us willing to be there at that hour, in those conditions, to create beautiful winter scenes with our cameras.

Winter Morning

This image was captured in one shot. Using filters, I was able to capture the full dynamic range of the scene. Here are the technical details for this image:

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