Snow-Covered Pines on M22 South

This image was taken in one of the pine plantations along M22 in Sleeping Bear Dunes, between Empire and Frankfort. o get to this location, you'll need a car. From Frankfort, the forest is on the left side of the road — about 2.7 miles north of shutter road. From Empire, the forest is on the right side of the road 0.8 miles south of Fowler Road. You can park your car along the road and then walk to the GPS coordinates to find the exact spot where I stood to get this view.

To get the same winter-wonderland effect, you'll need about two feet of snow on the ground. January and February — and occasionally December — are the best months to find these conditions.

It's important to capture fresh snow under a thick cloud cover for this shot. You do need some light though, so morning through the late-afternoon will work. Sunrise and sunset may also work here, but it'll need a longer exposure

It's very important to park somewhere where you are visible and not in snow plow routes. Don't get stuck in the deep snow!

Be prepared to climb through hip-deep drifts far enough from the road so that the street is not in your shot. Also, select a part of the forest that is clear of debris, though some clean up in post-processing may be necessary.

Try standing centered between two rows of trees, and use a wide enough lens (22mm here) to capture the full width of the outside trees, but now so wide that fisheye is happening.

Set your camera on a tripod and use an aperture that will bring a deep depth of field (I used an f/11 here).

Use a low ISO (like 100), and set your shutter speed as metered for the scene (1/4 second here).

Wait for wind to blow snow out of the canopy and then shoot. As it blows around, it will fill the forest with the snowy/foggy effect seen in my image. This also may require you to brush off your lens to keep it clean.

There are a couple of places to warm up that are nearby. Get some chili from Art's Tavern in Glen Arbor — it will do the trick!

Frankfort also has dining options. You can check out Frankfort Light, but during the winter the lighthouse may be coated in ice so I don't recommend walking out there at that time of the year.

If you are up for a hike, check out Empire Bluffs. It isn't far from the pines, just north of off Wilco Road.