Pics: Winners chosen in Visit Keweenaw’s first Spring Photo Contest

KEWEENAW COUNTY, Mich. (WJMN) — Three winners have been picked to claim the top prizes in Visit Keweenaw’s first-ever Spring Photo Contest.

Last month, photographers from all around were invited to send in their best photo of winter releasing its grasp on Copper Country. On Monday, the winners were announced to claim the $150, $100, and $50 of “Keweenaw Cash.”

For ways to enjoy the region this season, check out one of Visit Keweenaw’s latest blogs.

First Place:

Colton Haataja’s “Lake Superior Ice Wanes under a Spring Sunrise.” Haataja says he loves how the sun shines through melting ice, indicating warm weather is coming.

The image was taken at Brunette Park on Gay Lac La Belle Road by Haataja during a past spring thaw.

We’re told Haataja used a Nikon D700 camera with a 28mm lens, set to an f13 aperture and a 15 second exposure.

“I love the change that spring brings,” said Haataja. “While I enjoy all sorts of winter-time activities in the Keweenaw, spring brings back the warm weather that allows me to mountain bike, swim in Superior and go camping. I picked up photography as a hobby in 2020, and I’ve enjoyed capturing the natural beauty of Houghton and the Keweenaw ever since. Spring brings unique changes to the familiar landscapes that I like to photograph. A damp spring day makes the green moss on pines trees pop like crazy. The melting ice begins to stack up on the beaches, creating beautiful formations that last only a few weeks.”

Second Place:

Chris Guibert took home second place with his image “Spring Thaw in the Bete Grise Preserve.”

When not behind the camera, Guibert is an outdoor activities worker at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. He says he loves the spring transition, from the melting ice and growing green patches, to the turbulent lake and warmth of a sunny afternoon.

He took this wide shot using his DJI Mini 2 drone using 1/1250 second shot with a 1.7 aperture and 100 ISO.

“I saw some white, puffy clouds move across Lac La Belle on this warm, Thursday afternoon,” said Guibert. “This was a true moment of Spring. I had been wanting to see what the ice was doing in the sloughs and I knew this was my chance to get an afternoon paddle in. When I got to the canal beach I launched the drone to see if I could find some open water for an adventure.”

Guibert said he was mesmerized by the patterns in the ice. “I grabbed my board and paddled out to the edge of the formation. I maneuvered the drone to compose a visual triangle of Mount Bohemia, the ‘agate’ looking ice formations and the canal. I shot this image as just a landscape and also as an adventure shot.”

You can see him on his paddle board in the bottom-center of the photo. “I chose to submit this self-portrait because of the iconic landmarks of the Keweenaw and the sense of adventure it begs viewers to embark on. When looking at this image you either say that guy is crazy, or I want to do what he is doing.”

Third Place:

John Lothian took home third place with his “Lights and Falls.” Jesse Wiederhold of Visit Keweenaw said the two may not always be captured together, but when they do it makes for an incredible sight at Hungarian Falls near Tamarack City. Lothian says he got lucky taking this shot by going on a hike hoping for a unique photo during a northern lights storm.

“All at once, the sky lit up with vibrant green curtains and I captured this photo,” said Lothian.

Lothian used a Nikon D5100, on a three-second shutter speed and 4.5 aperture. Unlike Haataja’s photo, Lothian’s long-exposure image was shot at night – and unlike Guibert, he cranked his ISO up to 5,000 to capture the elusive waterfall and northern lights combo.

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