A Step Back

I recently had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with Neil Weaver and Aubreita Hope at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with a focus on night sky photography techniques. We were fortunate to have clear skies and fantastic locations the entire time.

On the second evening, after spending hours catching sunset and then the views at Point Betsie Lighthouse, a few of us stayed out for one last location - Glen Haven Historical Village. The Village was primarily accessed by water when it was constructed and wasn't really accessible by vehicle until Route 109 was completed in 1929. As time went by, the town dwindled and in 1970, the National Park was established and included the village.

The historic inn opened in 1865 and has been closed since the mid-1970s. A non-profit, Balancing Environment and Rehabilitation (BEAR) announced plans to work with the park to re-open the Inn as a B&B sometime in 2022.

Wandering around at night in the village is a dark experience with the only light aside from the stars from the Homestead Resort across the bay, tucked onto a hillside.

The group lit the Inn with a portable light on a stand and was shooting from the corner with a clear view. I didn't like the angle with the spot I had and lens I was equipped with, so I stepped back intending to play with the trees above. But I realized as I walked around that I could hide the light stand behind one of those trees and capture a wider view. It ended up being one of my favorite captures of the trip. And I did also get to play with the trees themselves against the starry sky. But not 5 minutes after these pictures, the clouds rolled in thick.

Glen Haven Historic Inn and Village