Flash Point: Tim Trombley’s toughest Great Lakes photos

Mar 15 2012 Great Lakes Echo 8 Comments

We asked Great Lakes photographers to send us their favorite and toughest Great Lakes shot. Tim Trombley of Great Lakes Photography sent us these pictures of his toughest shots.

North Windows

This cave was only accessible by kayak. I had to land way down the shoreline and got wet feet making my way inside. Once there, the shot required me to crouch and back into the sandstone recesses allowing sand to drop down my collar. Scrunched with wet knees, I panned the camera for three shots that were later merged into this panorama. The clarity of Lake Superior and the reflection of the blue sky give this image a “tropical” look.

Iceberg

In April when the ice shelf that has formed along the Lake Superior shoreline has begun to break apart, massive pieces float out to sea. These calving icebergs will come and go with the winds. If a high pressure system moves in at the right time, images like this can be found. This particular year, I had two mornings like this from the seat of my kayak. I have not been able to find these similar conditions more than three or four times over the past dozen years.

The most difficult portion of my landscape shooting is finding that dynamic composition together with dramatic lighting and subject matter in front of me. The next difficulty lies in the printing of that image to visually express what I photographed. I find the two events critically linked and essential in making images.

Many of what I consider my best shots are happy accidents or being in the right place at the right time. They are not found always under ideal conditions but their success erases all memory of the difficulty of the moment.

-Tim Trombley

© 2013, Great Lakes Echo, Michigan State University Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. Republish under these guidelines. Flashpoint is an occasional feature where professional photographers explain challenging images they've taken of the Great Lakes regional environment. More here. Suggest a photographer for inclusion by emailing greatlakesecho@gmail.com. Photographers are encouraged to nominate their own work. Echo will link to your website.

8 Comments »

Harold said:

Great photos! Is the illuminated ceiling of the cave the result of flash or reflection? Either way, it gives the photo a great quality.

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# 15 March 2012 at 9:53 am

Alan said:

WOW!!!! SUPERIOR views of Lake Superior!!! The cave photo must have been real risky to say the least, as Lake Superior can be VERY tricky in a kyak when it comes to waves with no real beach to land on, be it rock or sand. The iceberg must have been a split second opportunity at best, in order to get the correct light to illuminate the sub-surface of the iceberg. Both shots are of EXCELLENT quality, composition, contrast and subject matter focus.

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# 15 March 2012 at 6:06 pm

Scoop said:

Love ‘em both, terrific work.
Congrats

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# 16 March 2012 at 4:34 pm

North Windows « Michigan in Pictures said:

[...] for Michigan and the Great Lakes. Recently they asked Great Lakes photographers to send their favorite and toughest Great Lakes shots, and UP photographer Tim Trombly responded with this one, explaining: This cave was only accessible [...]

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# 24 March 2012 at 8:27 am

Tam said:

Majestic!

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# 24 March 2012 at 2:21 pm

sharon said:

These photos are fantastic !!! I never knew there are ice bergs…never thought about it. Sent these photos on to family and friends. Let them see the beauty that Lake Superior offers.

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# 24 March 2012 at 6:10 pm

JOHN said:

OUT TO SEA? How do they get past the locks? Aren’t the other Great Lakes warmer?

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# 26 March 2012 at 2:28 pm

veera said:

wow..its a ventastic

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# 5 April 2012 at 12:32 pm