Great Lakes Waterfalls

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OK, I am in the Detroit area and want to get away for maybe a 1-3 day photo shoot and am looking to find some nice waterfalls. I know htere are a number of them in the Upper Peniinsula, but does anyone know of any a little closer and maybe in a less snow-covered area? I could drive to the UP, but would prefer something closer/warmer.<BR>
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Thanks.<BR>
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Jeff

[photobergie]

I have also looked for waterfalls in lower Michigan, but have not had any luck. I believe that there is only one and it is near Traverse City. At that distance, you might as well drive to the UP. I did find a book at Barnes and Noble that is a great resource for the location of the waterfalls in the UP. The book is called "A Guide to 199 Michigan Waterfalls" by Laurie Penrose. It containts pictures and directions to each of the wateralls listed. I plan on heading to the UP this summer for some picture taking myself. Good luck. <BR>

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Thanks, Kbergmoser. BTW...welcome to the Forum! <BR>
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Jeff

[surfingfireman]

I live in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, just across the bridge from SSM, Michigan in the UP. There are all kinds of waterfalls on my side of the border but the most poxxxxr one I can think of on the US side is Tahquemenon Falls about an hour west of SSM, MI. Never been there myself, but have seen it on tv and in pictures, very nice. Can't say I know much (or anything for that matter) about the LP.<BR>
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BTW Jeff, taking in much of your information (and defending in some cases) I recently purchased a Maxxum 7. Found a great deal on a used one at camera shop in Toronto just as I was heading to California. Absolutely LOVE IT, but have yet to get any film developped (used 8 rolls in Cali). Hopefully will have some postable shots.<BR>
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C-YA<BR>
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Mike<BR>
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Thanks for the info, Mike. I love my M7, and I am sure that you will get escellent results with yours, and come to enjoy it as almost everybody else here on the Forum who has one. What optics are you using on it? <BR>
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Jeff

[Delorum]

Jeff,<BR>
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If you're willing to take a 1 - 3 day trip, why not try the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreational Area south of Cleveland. There are several waterfalls, with Brandywine being the largest. There are other falls along the Chagrin River also. Drive time from Detroit is maybe 3 to 4 hours.

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Good idea, Delorum! I am sort of familiar with the area, as I was born and spent the first 8 years of my life in Parma (no jokes, please! In fact, I have in-laws of my sister who still live in Chagrin Falls. I might have to think that one through and head out there.<BR>
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Jeff

[Delorum]

Jeff,<BR>
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Ian Adams is a local photographer very active in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. If you can find a copy of his book "Ohio A Bicentennial Portrait" you will find many photographs from the area.<BR>
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Stop and visit your sister's in-laws and you'll be right next door to the falls of the Chagrin River. They are right in the middle of Chagrin Falls (hence the clever name of the city).<BR>
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Delorum

[Delorum]

You can also check out his web page ianadamsphotography.com

[surfingfireman]

Jeff,<BR>
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My optics are WEAK. I have the same lenses from when I got my first SLR (used) a couple years ago. The basic 28-80 and 70-210 you get in kits plus a Tamron 28-200. I know good glass is the key to a good photos so I am dying to upgrade my lenses. Plus it would be sweet to have some "D" lenses to get the full capabilities of the M7. In a perfect world I would like the 24-105 D lense plus a 300 2.8 or 4.0 APO. Don't really have that cash though.<BR>
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C-YA<BR>
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Mike

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I can sympathize there. Currently, I have the original 50mm 1.7, the 100 2.8 D Macro (a true gem), the original 75-300, and a Tokinal 24-200. Yeah, there is some overlap there, but I find the fst primes to be indespensable at times. If I really want outstanding images at very large blowups, I can always switch to my Mamiya 330 f TLR (6x6) or my Rz 67 (6x7), or borrow a 4x5 view camera from school. Talk about image power! You can't believe the difference the first time you shoot with a 4x5. Amazing. But a little bulky to drag around the hinterlands with you, unless you have a sherpa or a pack mule. <BR>
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Jeff

[photobergie]

I shot Tahquemenon Falls a couple of years back. Beautiful falls, but very hard to get a "great" picture. The water color is tinted brown due to the large amounts of tanic acid in the water from the abundance of pine trees. In my opinion, the falls are still a must see.

[PayCash]

I live in Grand Rapids and have been the UP a couple of times. Based on what you'll find this time of year, if you are looking for warming I would head south to the Great Smokie Mountains. Lots of waterfalls, lot warmer, you should be able to get there quicker than I can being in Detroit, it takes me 12 hours. We've left on Thursday night, hit the trail Fri morning 2 days of photos and drive back sunday. works out pretty well.<BR>
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the Michigan Waterfall book described in an earlier post is a great resource. Your local EMS store will have plenty of info on the smokies, the national geographic map has most waterfalls listed right on it.