Category: Winter photography

Wait a Day…

February 24, 2021
environmentGreat Lakes ProjectLake Michigannature photographyRichard Mack PhotographyThe Sweetwater SeaswinterWinter Landscape PhotographyWinter photography

If you know the Great Lakes, and many say any place, the weather can change on a moment’s notice. On February 13-14 this year here in Chicago we had a snowstorm that dropped 20” from the sky. Along with that we had winds coming out of the north and right down Lake Michigan which blew the ice into shore. I went down to the shoreline of Lake Michigan on the 17th to see the conditions of the lake, expecting ice up against the shoreline, yet it had already moved out about 2 miles offshore. Still we had the ice built up high along the shore and the open water behind it so I made both some still and video shots of the lake. The next day I went back to the same spots and because the winds had shifted yet again the ice had moved back into the shoreline right up to the pack ice. An interesting perspective on the changes which come within 24 hours along the Great Lakes. And below are some of the still images.

Enjoy,

Richard

Snow Storm in May?

April 27, 2019
environmentGreat Lakes ProjectLake MichiganLandscapesLighthouse Beachnature photographyThe Sweetwater SeasVideovideo productionwinterWinter Landscape PhotographyWinter photography

With snow expected today I thought I post something from February to remind you it won’t be all that bad! Besides we won’t need to shovel since it will be 50’s on Sunday! So enjoy… you can watch a video of the shoot with this link: https://vimeo.com/329873301

Winter on the Great Lakes can be a fantastic opportunity to see the power and fascination of nature. Went back to Lighthouse Beach to shoot the Ice Island which had formed off the beach at sunrise to get the light shining through the ice sheets. Shot mostly video for The Sweetwater Seas documentary but took some time to shoot some still images as well.

Started at 6am in 9 degrees, at least there was no wind at all so it seemed warm with all the layers on! (Just had to watch where your breath went so it didn’t get in front of lens!) Spent about 2.5 hours out there. Enjoy!

Honorable Mention in 2015 Black & White Spider Awards!

The Power of Water & Ice, Niagara Falls
December 3, 2015
B&W Spider AwardsBlack & White PhotographsFine Art Photography AwardNiagara FallsPhotography MastersRichard MackRichard Mack PhotographyRichard Mack's BlogWinter Landscape PhotographyWinter photography

The Power of Water & Ice, Niagara Falls

The Power of Water & Ice, Niagara Falls

I am honored to share the news that an image I did as part of The Sweetwater Seas Documentary has been awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2015 B&W Spider Awards in the Nature Photography – Professional’s Category! Here is the press release from the B&W Spider Awards:

10TH ANNUAL BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS HONORS PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD MACK FROM USA

LOS ANGELES 11/21/2105 – Professional photographer Richard Mack of Evanston, Illinois was presented with the 10th Annual Black and White Spider Awards Honorable Mention in the category of Nature Photography at a prestigious Nomination & Winners PhotoShow webcast Saturday, November 21, 2015.

The live online gala was attended by over 10,000 photography fans around the globe who logged on to watch the climax of the industry’s most important event for black and white photography.

10th Annual Jury members included captains of the industry from Bonhams, Random House, Aeroplastics Contemporary, Stockholm City Museum, Annenberg Foundation, Leo Burnett, FTM Art Advisory and Fratelli Alinari who honored Spider Fellows with 505 coveted title awards in 31 categories.

“It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 7,686 entries we received this year,” said Basil O’Brien, the awards Creative Director. “Richard Mack’s “The Power of Water and Ice, Niagara Falls” is an exceptional image entered in the Nature category, represents black and white photography at its finest, and we’re pleased to present Mack with the title of Honorable Mention – Professional in Nature Category.” Jury member Diane Ruggie from Velocebella agency added, “The gallery of winners and runners up has true stopping power.”

BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS is the leading international award honoring excellence in black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honors the finest images with the highest achievements in black and white photography. www.thespiderawards.com

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Anytime you are honored with an award it is both humbling and exciting to know folks like your work. We did put a small video together from this shoot for The Sweetwater Seas documentary. You can view it on vimeo

Niagara Falls Winter from Richard Mack Photography, Ltd on Vimeo.

You can also see more about the documentary on our website The Sweetwater Seas.

Cheers!

Richard Mack

Blizzard Conditions on the Great Lakes

February 4, 2015
Great Lakes ProjectLake MichiganLake MichiganLighthouse BeachRichard Mack PhotographyWinter photography

Lighthouse Beach Blizzard 20150202-0001

True winter weather has hit the Chicago area finally this winter. It made me take up the camera to get some video for The Sweetwater Seas documentary I ma filming currently for both TV and a book. While I try and prepare myself for the conditions I did forget to bring along my pair of ski goggles which would have made it much easier! The wind was howling so load and fast it was difficult to keep going. I would stop for a few minutes to film and when I turned around my footprints had vanished beneath the snow. No trace of me walking out there – a true Leave No Trace afternoon. Above is a still image from the day but you can see a few of the video clips I have put together by using the link below.

http://www.mackphoto.com/Creative/video-LighthouseBeachBlizzard.php

You can also see an updated folder of still images from the Great Lakes Project The Sweetwater Seas on my website at  http://www.mackphoto.com/Creative/greatlakes.php

And see the trailer for The Sweetwater Seas on my website under the Video tab: http://www.mackphoto.com/Creative/video-Sweetwater_Seas.php

Enjoy!

Richard