More fakery today with a highly edited photograph of the Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station in Glen Haven, Michigan. Have a great weekend, everyone – for real!
Dr. Watson: “Homes? What are you doing?”
Sherlock Holmes: “Nothing.”
Dr. Watson: “Are you wearing a fa…”
Sherlock Holmes: “False nose? No.”
– Jude Law & Robert Downey Jr. – Sherlock Holmes
About this image: digital photograph (Canon 300D) heavily modified to replicate wet plate collodion
Refrigerator Magnate 
This has an eerie quality to it. Kind of Alfred Hitchcockesque.
The whole place really has ‘one of those feelings’, I think…
all that history…
(and such a dramatic history at that)…
thank you very much, Ms. G!
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fridge !!!
am back [ quite possible you’ve forgotten me…:))…..:(( ]
life happens….sigh….been shooting like mad mad mad….and now going around in circles totally doubting my non puritan notions of my madly edited photos…needed this daily dose of your take on pictures and moments in day…..
Welcome back!!! I’m so happy to hear you’ve been shooting again! I definitely understand what you mean about time, though… I feel like twice as much time still wouldn’t be enough to get things done! I can’t wait to check out what you’ve been working on!!! And thanks so much for stopping by!
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i love the finished image absolutely…
though i have to confess i have no idea what wet plate collodian is…..
Thank you very much, Sonny!
Collodion an ‘older’ photographic process (late 1850’s +/-) which produced a photographic image on glass plates (or similarly – in tintype – on metal)…
pretty cool… there are lots of beautiful images on google, flickr which I always find very inspiring! I hope to do the real thing someday! 🙂
my FIL recently handed over his old canon to me….i love it but lord practicing on a film roll is expensive these days !
So true! I’m afraid it’s only going to get worse, too. The cost per image advantage is definitely something that analogue just can’t compete with these days… kind of sad, really.
The house is very misty and interesting. Have a great day.
I was a bit afraid most of the interest I had here came from the fact I’ve been to this place so many times and not from the image itself, so it was very nice to hear that, sir, thank you!
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Finally a movie I have seen. Though downey’s accent was a bit rough
Agreed…
but then you’ve not heard a truly bad one until you’ve heard mine, gov’nah!
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I think an audio recording is in order
Here, here! A voice to go with the avatar!
Hahaha…
quickly, everyone! Cover your ears!
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Running bet? No way it is more nails-on-the-chalkboard than mine. Odds are 6-1.
I’ll take that bet, Red! ANY day!
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Hahaha… nah. I might be cruel but I’m not heartless, Bearman.
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Photo looks amazing. Like some really old.
Have a wonderful weekend Mr. SIG. 🙂
Thank you very much, Ms. B…
that’s what I was hoping for, so it’s very nice to hear that!!!
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I came for the great photograph. I stayed for the Robert Downey, Jr. quote. Happy weekend to you, too!
Well I thank you on both accounts, H.C.!
That’s a very nice thing to hear, and I sincerely appreciate it!
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I was intrigued (and confused) by Sleeping Bear and then Life Saving Station. I checked out the link and this place seems way cool. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, SIG!
It does sound a little… like… what? And then when I try to write about it?! Wowza! Sorry about that Ms. C… but I’m very happy to hear you found it interesting! The history in that place is just incredible!
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Hey, I’ve been there! We went a couple of years ago while in Traverse City. Amazing to think of them rolling the boats down the tracks to the water.
Very cool, Peg! I was wondering if anyone might have been! It’s a fascinating (and beautiful place)! Absolutely! And in those unbelievably frigid waters / under such awful conditions… I can’t even imagine!
SIG, I know I’m a broken record, but every time I see “wet plate collodion” I think it’s something I had done as part of my colonoscopy last year, and I start giggling like a loon.
Hahaha… that’s because some comments never get old, Peg! Hilarious! But… you know… respectfully so, of course!
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I’ve been there, too. I love this photo.
It’s a beautiful place, isn’t it?!
Thank you very, very much, K8edid!
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The effects make this place look like all kinds of sinister activities happened at this “life-saving station.” I like it!
Sweet! I’m very happy to hear that, Madame – thank you!
Speaking of hearing things… I could have sworn I heard a disembodied voice grumbling something or other about not being included in some hot dead guy list…
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It looks like the tide long since went out to leave this old building high and dry – where’s the Hoff? And, more to the point, what have you done with Pamela Anderson??? 😉
Hilarious Martin! And (while you might not believe it) originally I had written a one or two line blurb about the Hoff for this post (but I just couldn’t seem to get everything to ‘fit’ quite right – big surprise, huh?)!
Hahaha… sorry to report a complete lack-o-Pam sightings, Martin… I did see a guy who looked like Tommy Lee, though. Well… a bit. From the side. And a long ways away.
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You sure that wasn’t Tommy Lee Jones.. Closest thing to a Grizzly that I can think of 😉
Actually, I like him – especially in ‘Rules of Engagement’ 🙂
HA! On second thought…
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Not only is t his a fabulous piece, but I have been to sleeping bear dunes on several occassions-it’s right on Lake Michigan and gorgeous. My daughter actually took a field trip there in 7th grade. Lived about an hour from there at the time.
Just LOVE your work on this piece.
That whole area is like one big postcard! It’s Annabelle’s favorite place… she’s been going there every summer for 20 years +/-, so that’s how I found out about it / got the opportunity to visit.
Thank you so much, Ms. B! You are always so very kind!
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Oh hon, ask any of my ex-husbands… am not kind just honest.
Lived about 30 minutes from Traverse City and miss northern Michigan so much. If only PsychoFuck (aka lucky ex-husband number 2) would move from the area I’d go back; send my daughter to MSU instead of SFSU.
Truly, only wish a violent splattery death to those who are evil. Just pissing me off won’t do it…
Annabelle is Awesome 🙂
Oh, I think you are pretty darn kind, Ms. B!
Wow – you really were close to this area!
Annabelle is pretty awesome (and if she finds out about this I suspect she’ll be pretty jealous, too)!
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Spilledink, this is super cool. I feel like I’m looking outside a foggy window. What would a collodion be? Please educate me. Never saw that movie. Was it any good? I love those two actors. 🙂
I’m so happy to hear that – thank you! Wet plate / collodion was a photographic process (late 1800’s +/-) where (basically) light sensitive material was adhered to glass or metal plates and then exposed & processed ‘on the spot’ (as once the collodion ‘binder’ hardens – in only a few minutes depending on temperature, etc. the image can’t be ‘developed’). The inconvenience / trickiness of all that lead to it’s decline in popularity, but its had a bit of a resurgence lately (because of the craftsmanship involved and the uniqueness of the images it produces – especially when period lenses are used). Sorry to ramble on – but I get kind of excited about it all – I hope to do the real thing some day!
I liked both movies quite a bit! But then… I just rambled on about an old photographic process… so… you know…
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Thanks, SIG for taking the time to explain that to me. I hope you get your chance to experience the process for yourself someday. It sounds ultra complicated. I’m enjoying the movie quotes, so please keep them coming! I don’t see many movies lately. You’re about as close as I get to seeing any movies 🙂
My pleasure!
And I’ll sure try! I like to include the random quotes because I post some pretty… um… ‘unusual’ things from time to time and I’m always hopeful they’ll provide something else to talk about… if something doesn’t instantly spring to mind re: a spray-painted pepper, or whatever the case may be!
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They’re a nice addition! I’m always amazed at your creations. It’s like wow, “How, did he do THAT?” I wouldn’t even know what to ask? Like the one today. What is that exactly? How did you take that shot?
Oh, I don’t know about that, but I’ll sure take it! Thank you very much, B.F.!
Today’s was a shot of the beach / shoreline near Sleeping Bear Point… I just crouched down really, really low (as close as I could to the ground without getting my camera in the sand / water. I shot this pretty wide-open f/4.5 which (along with my being so close to the foreground) gave it that blur / depth-of-field – and allowed a faster shutter speed, which was nice, considering the ridiculous balancing act I was attempting. Normally in landscapes I try to include people, etc. to give a better sense of scale, but thought the ambiguity of this one was kind of fun… it almost seems like the sand could have been much larger than the few inches in height it really was (well, to me, anyway)!
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See, it is technical and involves a fast shutter speed. I can point and click and that’s about it! If I did this, it would be a blurry mess. But you…..Nicely done! The sand looks huge. Looks like a big cliff!
Oh, no… it really isn’t that bad, B.F… my awkward way of describing things made this sound much more complicated than it really is! I’m sure you would have wound up with a camera full of beautiful images!
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OK, I have friggin looked and looked and I can’t find no sleeping bear Boo Boo!!!
Now that you mention it… I also can’t seem to find my picnic basket!!!
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I might like to live somewhere like that. I really like how the grasses in the foreground frame the house. Good one, Robert. 🙂
I suspect you would like it, S.E… (and I know you’d create some amazing images here)!
I was pretty happy with the grasses, too… I was hoping they’d give some clue as to the location / proximity to beach / water (especially since the building sits back from and with its front facade facing the water – I couldn’t include both in the same shot – kind of a bummer).
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It looks like it could be a nice sleepy cottage. I like the aging you did on it.
Yes me too Binky 🙂
Why thank you, sir!
It’s been restored so nicely I had very little (other than the faux collodion stuff) to worry about… I did airbrush out a few gutters / downspouts, but other than that it seemed to fit the area pretty closely, so I was hoping the treatment would be appropriate here.
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Gripping shot . . . faux, or not! 😀
Fauxank you very much, Nancy!
(okay… that worked in my mind at first… I must be even more tired than usual or something)!
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Excellent ! Very effective processing – well chosen for the subject. 🙂
Watson: How did you know she was a grade one teacher Holmes ?
Holmes: It was Elementary.
Many thanks, sir!
Ha! I don’t know how you come up with these lines off the top of your head like that! Classic!
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That’s a cool photo. You are the master of, hmm, deception isn’t the word I’m looking for… with all those fancy faux techniques. 🙂 One must be quick to catch all the dialog between those two actors. Robert Downey Jr. is great!
Thank you very much, Patti!
It’s funny… sometimes I wonder about how much slight of hand is too much… it’s certainly not very honest (but it is a lot of fun)! Anyway, hopefully I can make these for real one day, and then I won’t have to worry about all of that!
Agreed! And agreed!
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I didn’t comment on this yesterday?! Dangit. I evidently stopped writing my comment and then shut down my computer.
Wow, I just did it again. I wrote that, and then I abandoned it again.
Okay, I’m just going to end this here and now by saying that I wondered why in the world you would happen to visit this place until I read its very illustrious history. Perfect editing for the piece!
No worries, U.M…
I do that ALL the time! Sometimes several ‘times’ in a row! My memory is… well… huh? Where was I going with…?
Thanks so much! I’ll take any excuse I can to abuse my Photoshop license… and this seemed like just as good a time to give that a try as any… talk about a wild history!
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I especially like the left corners. The look of the fingerprint is great. Some of the grass makes it hard to discern what is brush stroke and what is long grass obscuring the view. Excellent collodion.
Hope you and Annabelle enjoyed the trip. Perhaps, even managed some rest?
Red.
There is no rest for the wicked Red you and I both know that 😉 lmao
Androgoth XXx
Far too true…as my latest post professes *giggles*
Red.
xxx
Thanks very much, Red! Hahaha… yeah, every now and then I can’t resist the urge go throw a fingerprint or two in these things (maybe that’s because if – and hopefully when – I was / will be doing these for real, I know I’m going to be doing that unintentionally)!
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I was thinking Bates Motel at first glimpse
but this is because of your great artistic flair
my wickedly fine and great friend 🙂
Do have a most exciting weekend
packed with lots of wicked fun 🙂 🙂
Androgoth
Hey – I’ll sure take that, A.G! Thank you very much, sir!
Androgoth always ‘presents’ the kindest of comments!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well, Andro!
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This is almost as though Goldilocks is about to wander into a Stephen King novel . . . love your wpc!
All I know about Michigan comes from one fabulous weekend in Detroit which has left me wanting to go back and explore so much more. Lucky you and Annabelle to have this wonderful looking place to go to!
Thank you so very much, Ms. K!
I had never been to Michigan before I went with Annabelle… well, come to think of it… it’s that way with most places I’ve visited (it usually takes some convincing to get me out of the apartment)! It is definitely a beautiful place, though! I know you would enjoy it if you are ever back up that way!
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Lovely shot… great to have you back.
Many thanks, Nigel!
It’s good to be back!
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This is wonderful!! Creepy, romantic, and mysterious. Love it.
That is so kind of you to say Ms, D… thank you!
I’ll take any excuse I can to mess with, er, modify something ‘a bit’… and all the history here seemed like a pretty good one (to me, anyway)!
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I like:
“heavily modified to replicate wet plate collodion…”
Thank you so much, Frizz!
I hope to make real wet plate images some day (and then I won’t have to do any modifying to get an even more interesting look)!
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The house looks spooky >.<
It has such an interesting history, too!
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Great photo. I love these wet plate style photos that you do. A nice historical feel to them
Thanks so much, Mr. M!
I was hoping that with the age and history here the post processing wouldn’t look too out of place…
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Its like a classic suspense and horror movies Chilling!!! Cheers Nonoy Manga
Why, thank you! Very much!
I was hoping the effect would work out okay with the subject matter in this one!
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Holmes does your depravity know no bounds?
Hahaha…
I don’t know about Sherlock… but I’m pretty sure mine doesn’t, Dr. Watson!
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a great mood here. thanks for sharing.
thought i would stop by in case you think i have dropped off the planet. posts keep appearing, but where are the visits, the comments? long story short – a leaking pipe downstairs and a relatively small reno which was unexpectedly transformed into a bit of a repair job… will not bore you with details, however i hope to be back a bit more fulltime sooooon!
Thank you very much, P&K!
YIKES YIKES YIKES! That is definitely the wrong kind of excitement! I’ve seen the damage that water can do… never a pretty sight! I hope that things go as well as they possibly can in what sounds to be a ridiculously stressful situation, P&K! Did I mention YIKES?!
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House looks really spooky, Sig! You always do such a fantastic job!
xo
Thank you very much, Deb!
It doesn’t seem quite so spooky when you are there in person… until you start to consider all the history… while the folks who lived and worked here were unbelievably heroic, some of the events that occurred around here were so tragic (shipwrecks in freezing waters, etc… very sad).
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oH, I love what you have done with the place!!!! 🙂
Hahahah
it must have been all that HGTV I’ve been watching, Juana!
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Hauntingly beautiful! Why don’t we live there?
Hey… what’s that over there?!
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