Category: Photography

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Meeting and Photographing Ships on the St. Clair River

Photographing ships on the St. Clair River on a blustery day.

It is not often that far distant art photographers with a similar passion for photographing ships actually get to meet in person. Mary Bedy lives in a perfect Michigan location to photograph the freighters, ships and boats that ply the waters of the Great Lakes. Bill Swartwout lives on the Atlantic coast and is only able to photograph ships while on vacation somewhere. The passing freighters along the coast are far too distant to shoot but, fortunately, he also enjoys shooting bridges.

bill swartwout and mary bedy on the boardwalk in St. Clair, Michigan
Bill Swartwout and Mary Bedy on the boardwalk in St. Clair, MI (photo by Nancy Swartwout)

Bill and his wife, Nancy, were vacationing in western Michigan and had planned to visit the city of Frankenmuth, MI on the way home. Frankenmuth was close to St. Clair – so a lunch meetup was arranged for the next day. The three of us met at the Voyageur Inn on the St. Clair River and boardwalk – the very same boardwalk that offers Mary a wonderful vantage point to photograph any ship that passes from Lake Huron to Lake Erie (or vice versa).

We opted for a window table, of course, and during our time there we had the opportunity to see four freighters pass by the boardwalk and restaurant. Well one was really the barge, Joseph H. Thompson with pusher-tugboat, Laura L. VanEnkevort – but it “looked” similar to a freighter.

Joseph H. Thompson Barge by Mary Bedy

A rare occurrence of ships passing on the river…

After a wonderful lunch and great conversation we move out into the cold and blustery October day to the boardwalk for the obligatory selfies (photo session). As we were doing that there were two ships approaching and doing something very seldom seen. They were passing by one another right in front of us. There must be something to be said about two artists who live 700 miles apart meeting at this location and point in time.

Freighters Michipicoten and CSL Laurentien at st. clair mi
Freighters Michipicoten and CSL Laurentien are about to pass, port-to-port, on the St. Clair River in front of the boardwalk in St. Clair, Michigan

This was , indeed, a wonderful opportunity for two photographers, passionate about their art, to be able to meet in person. Before this day they only knew one another through their common use of Fine Art America to produce their photography as Print-On-Demand wall art and home decor items.

Find wall art photographs by Mary Bedy and Bill Swartwout

See Mary Bedy’s ship photographs here: https://mary-bedy.pixels.com/collections/freighters+ships+and+boats

See Bill Swartwout’s ship images here: https://bill.pixels.com/collections/boats+and+ships

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Lake Michigan Sunset

The wind, waves and broken clouds add excitement to this evening scene at Grand Beach, MI.

The beauty of a sunset:

As the sun sets over Lake Michigan, the water turns a beautiful shades of orange and pink. The sky is a stunning purple color as the waves march to the shore. It’s a peaceful and calming sight to see.

Lake Michigan Sunset
Lake Michigan Sunset at Grand Beach, New Buffalo

The colors of a sunset:

This Sunset over Lake Michigan was one of the most beautiful sights of our recent road trip to Michigan. The colors are so vivid and the sky is so clear. A sunset over “the lake” a must see for anyone who loves nature.

The peace of a sunset:

As the sun sets over Lake Michigan, the sky is ablaze with colors of orange, yellow and pink. The cool breeze blowing off the lake is a refreshing contrast to the warm summer temperatures. This is a perfect time to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Whether you are watching the sunset from the shoreline or out on a boat, it is an experience you will never forget.

The conclusion:

The sun slowly sinks behind the horizon, casting a beautiful orange hue over the waters of Lake Michigan. It’s a perfect evening for a stroll along the beach, or perhaps a romantic dinner overlooking the water. As the last rays of sunlight disappear, you can’t help but feel a sense of peace and wonder at the natural beauty of this place.

Purchase:

Prints are available: CLICK HERE

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Calendars for the New Year

Created with Photographs by Bill Swartwout Photography

October, November and December are the months for calendars – plan for 2023. #ShopEarly #BuyIntoArt
Assateague Ponies, Ocean City, Indian River Bridge and Fire Control Towers are what I have created from my photographs and offer for sale at the amazing “Zazzle.” Click the image or the link below the image to browse of shop…

Calendars for the New Year
Calendars for the New Year

Link to browse or shop: https://www.zazzle.com/mbr/238675969062853179?rf=238675969062853179

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Indian River Bridge at Twilight Panorama

Four styles of this popular photograph are now available in a 2:1 panorama ratio.

I’ve had requests for a more-panorama-shape of one of my most popular photographs of the Indian River Inlet Bridge. So I made a “regular” Panorama (2:1 ratio) and three additional presentations. Might you be interested in any of these please let me know. If so, which one? Leave a response in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Indian River Bridge Panorama Photograph Assortment
Indian River Inlet Bridge at Twilight Panorama Photograph in Four Presentations.

The Charles W. Cullen Bridge is the official name of this beautiful example of cable-stayed suspension bridge architecture. The Indian River Inlet Bridge carries coastal traffic on Route 1 across the Indian River Inlet just north of Bethany Beach Delaware.

This beautiful structure is sight to behold at any time of day or night. However, twilight, the transition between day and night, brings out the spectacular color of the bridge, the water and the sky – all in shades of blue – at this magical time.

The Indian River inlet joins the Rehoboth Bay and the Indian River Bay with the Atlantic Ocean. The Indian River Bridge over the inlet allows traffic to flow north and south along “Coastal Highway” (Route 1), connecting several beach resort towns from Ocean City in Maryland to Rehoboth Beach and Lewes in Delaware.

The Delaware Seashore State Park facilities on both the north and south sides of the Indian River Inlet and along the shore of the Indian River Bay attract thousands or people, who can enjoy sights like this, all year ’round. The area, just north of Bethany Beach, DE boasts campgrounds, a large marina, fishing and, of course, a well-maintained and guarded (in season) beach on the Atlantic Ocean.

Indian River Inlet Bridge Twilight Reflection
The original “best selling” print: Indian River Inlet Bridge Twilight Reflection

Charles W. Cullen Bridge – Dedicated 2012

Indian River Bridge Dedication Plaque
Dedication Plaque on the Indian River Bridge Pedestrian Walkway

This bridge is named in honor and remembrance of Charles West Cullen, 1865-1948, a man who dedicated his life to public service and the the citizens of Delaware. Between 1930 and 1940, he served on the State Highway Commission, eventually being elevated to Chairman of the Commission from 1938-1939. While he was Chairman, work was started on a new bridge to span the Indian River Inlet. In recognition for his service on the Commission, the bridge was dedicated on May 18, 1940, in his name for his advocacy for the proper opening of the inlet and the internal development of the Indian River. Two additional bridges bearing his name have spanned the inlet since that time. This, the fifth bridge to span the inlet waterway, is was also dedicated in his name. (Paraphrased from the bridge dedication plaque.)

Use the links below to browse or shop more of Bill’s photographs of the Indian River Inlet Bridge.

Link to: Bill’s Indian River Inlet Bridge Collection, including the four panoramas above.

Link to: Panorama Wall Art Print

Link to: Simulated Charcoal Print

Link to: Dramatic Black & White Print

Link to: Abstract Expressionism Print

Link to: Bill’s full Gallery at Pixels/FineArtAmerica