In Focus: Favorite Images of 2024

2024 marked my fourth full-year of making photographs. While this past year has provided many photographic opportunities, it’s also been a year of both personal and professional hardships. As this year comes to a close, I am moving forward with a positive, clear frame of mind while remaining open to new opportunities in both my personal and creative life. Despite these hardships, I was able to go on a handful of photography trips. From the Porcupine Mountains in February, to my annual fall-outing in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula (UP), it has been a great year for exploring and photography. Below are a few of my favorite images from 2024 accompanied by the stories that went into making them.

Image #1: “Symbiote” - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - May 2024

Symbiote” was made on a Memorial Day backpacking trip to South Manitou Island in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I ventured out to South Manitou Island in search of images of the old-growth cedar trees found on the western side of the island. These cedar trees (some predating European exploration in the Americas), are the some of the oldest trees in the state and were spared by the woodcutters axe during the logging boom of the 17th century. Upon arriving to the old-growth cedars, I did make some images but the light wasn’t cooperating the way I had expected it would, so I sought out smaller scenes.

As I walked down the trail, I noticed the bark on the bottom of a old-growth cedar. What I liked about the bark was the interconnecting layers and strands still growing over the old(er) bark system. This scene reminded me of the Venom symbiote from the Spider-Man series. I spent a good amount of time checking my composition, getting low with my 55-200mm lens, and focus stacking this image to ensure a clean final result. This image also serves as a reminder that sometimes even amongst grand scenes, there is an amazing image right at your feet. If you’d like to read more about this trip to South Manitou Island, a detailed report can be found here.

Image #2: “Dawnbreak” - Gwinn State Forest - August 2024

Dawnbreak” was made on the last full-day of a week long backpacking trip throughout the Western UP. This scene is just north of Marquette and initially, I was looking in the other direction attempting to shoot another composition. As I turned around, I instantly noticed the light hitting the foreground rocks. The sky also had a nice, warm gradient in it as the sun rose amidst a cloudless sky. To shoot this scene I first captured a base exposure of the overall scene, then a darkened exposure for the sky (to be blended together later in Photoshop). The next step was to take a series of exposures to capture the right texture of the receding waves. After getting the frames I needed, I confidently walked away from this location reminded that some of the best images are ones that are completely unplanned. It was a fantastic way to wrap up this trip!

Image #3: “Arrowhead” - Baraga County - October 2024

Arrowhead” was made on a very rainy October morning. Located down a two-track following the Slate River, what drew me to this section of the river was the unique geology. The arrow-shaped rock in the immediate foreground (hence the image’s name) was something I have never come across throughout my travels in the UP. After carefully removing some deadfall, I framed up a composition that incorporated the arrow-shaped rock and didn’t cut off a majority of the smaller cascades. Once I nailed down a composition I liked, I made sure to carefully adjust my circular polarizer so the rocks still had some sheen on them to provide just a little extra depth to the overall scene. As the rain continued to discourage me on my drive back to camp, I was happy knowing that I successfully made this unique image.

Image #4: “Elemental Union” - Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - October 2024

Elemental Union” was made on the last full-day of my annual fall photography trip to the Western UP. This scene, found a little off-trail from the Union River Interpretive Trail, is part of a larger scene that I had scouted in both June and August. I visited this area after three days of continual rain, knowing that this section of the Union River would be flowing well after the passing showers receded. Upon first walking up to this section of the Union River, I struggled fitting this whole series of cascades into a image I liked. I then crawled up the wet rocks beside the river and ducked under the small pines to a precarious position overlooking the scene above.

What I like about this image is that it’s quintessential “Porkies” (Porcupine Mountains). The rushing Union River cradled by ancient bedrock amongst a forest of old-growth and autumn foliage. When I think of fall in the Porkies, this is the scene I envision. The interior of the Porkies contains scenes that rival even the biggest of views from more well-traveled areas of the park. I love seeking out these unique compositions that help to tell the complete story of the Porkies. To me, this image is that complete story and I’m glad I had the opportunity to capture this scene on the last full-day of my fall trip.

Overall, 2024 had it’s setbacks. But as I’m learning, each day is a new opportunity for growth both as an individual, an educator, and as a photographer. In 2025, I am looking forward to spending time in the wilderness enjoying nature, seeking new scenes to photograph. As of now, I have a few photography trips planned that include:

February 2025: Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula

April 2025: Vancouver Island- British Columbia, Canada

May 2025: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Thru-Hike - Michigan’s Central Upper Peninsula

June 2025: Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula

July 2025: Isle Royale National Park

October 2025: Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula

I hope you too take some time in 2025 to enjoy nature wherever you call home and as always, thanks for reading and supporting my work. Happy New Year!

  • Josh

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Trip Reports: Western Upper Peninsula Fall 2024