I have so much catching up to do, but that's part of the fun! I really like this shot. It's so Lake Michigan in that way that only Lake Michigan can come across. This has a kind of 3am feel to it, even though it's definitely not a 3am shot. But there's a point at around that time, when the lake, whether loud or quiet is just so jiggly and alive. All of the little crustaceans that no one is even aware of decide to come ashore, en-mass, and do whatever it is that crustaceans do, en-masse. Apparently they get eaten by sandpipers that I didn't even know lived here...until I saw some at about 3am. I like the wall of water effect you have here. All of it caught, mid splash, at that point when water seems like anything but water: glass, maybe, or air, or some elemental force that isn't very water like. The lake tends to do that, which is what I love about it, and what you've captured so perfectly! And I so totally get the reaction of the guy shaking his head as you protected your lens. That's so Chicago! This is a marvelous shot and a great place for me to start to catch up! I've seen your posts, but haven't commented, but commenting is something I like to do. I also love the fact that you're quite the Ninja photographer, and I wonder if you employed the "Crouching Turnip" stance to get this shot. Okay, I have no idea what the "Crouching Turnip" stance is, as I just made it up, but it has that sort of loopy photo-ninja ring to it that I like! I love this picture!

OHHH!!! I adore this, Mark!!Great image!Great photo! That wall of water seems solid,like glass...Its quite wonderful...YOU DID in the right moment...i bet yu saw it BEFORE it happened...only way to capture so much inside the wave...it seems you told the "time" to stop!! No many words...just dont tired to look at this:a room in sepia tones in the midst of the ocean, with a window to the blue sky!!. Mysterious in a certain point of view and challenging to imagination.FABULOUS, Mark!!Great eye!Great hand!

at first glance thought it rock aside gentle stream when after expanding it realized you were right down there in the mix then upon reading it I laughed we do such odd things when taking photos. Can hear you screaming. Love it; and you said you were all out of words HA!

Awesome shot! The smooth with the splash of the wave was timed perfectly. The man that yelled at you probably thought you were going to fall in.

lol...love your spirit:)Stunning capture !

It reminds me of abstract expressionism. This really has the look of a formal composition that you labored many hours on. So many different textures and contrasts in this piece ,Mark.

MARVELLOUS! I don't think of lakes having waves..but this is no 'garden pond' type lake, I know! Brilliant image!

An artist and a camera are the best kind of 'freakin' nut case'. A very creative splash, as is your way. I can see this on a wall as a giant mural, as I love the colors and textures. CC

Well, Mark! I am not sure I can say anything better, than has already been said here, but you know very well how thrilled I am about your wave shots and this is no exception. It is breathtaking. And I just love it. I wish I could take such a shot, but I certainly am happy that you can. It is amazing how you have accelerated your photographic skills in such a short time. Man what are you made of? And I would have laughted my shoes off, hearing that dialogue between you two on the beach.

Awesome!!

It's fantastic Mark. Excellent!!

Faster than a speeding bullet--- More powerful than a locomotive--- Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound--- Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird--- It's a plane--- It's SUPER PHOTOGRAPHER!! Some people just dont GET it!! AWESOME shot, Mr.Kent (your secret's safe with me!!!)

Totally awesome, powerful, beautiful! The splash is wonderful but there again is the reflection on the sand that just always takes me away...in this one I see many native and nature spirits, the tiger being the most defined. I loved it when I first saw it and I love it even now!

marvelous picture!!

superbe eclbloussures!!!!

splendide !

Very nice image! Great capture!

Oh yes, this is wonderful; capturing water is a challenge, and you've met it and exceeded expectations. Well done you!

So nice to see this one from you Mark as it was an added treat to see you post a photo with such a fun theme. Great job on capturing the splash by the way and hopefully also on protecting that lens. The reaction the man had that you described really made the story complete as he sounds like someone I know.

really quiet it isn't, but 50-50, the lower part is serene and the upper part a bit too lively!... i'm joking, it's a perfect blend and a balm for the mind (i don't believe in the soul, but if it existed, it wuould be soothed....;-D)

outstanding action capture.remember the camera also,unless it is water resistant

Phooey! I should have gotten here quicker...so many of the best words have already been used by friends of your's above:-) So, what do I see? I see you with a "frogman" suit and a big tank of air on your back. I see you with a diver's mask and a mouthpiece. So, if all that is true, why don't you have an underwater camera with no need to cover up the lens from the lacy-like sheet of water just produced by a wave slapping against a breakwater? Wonderful shot. Since we all know that photography is all about light, you sure caught the light perfectly and with a great sense of timing here:) You do know your light. Well done Mark!

Hehehe... I always wonder how many people call me a nutcase too.... I'm sure it happens to most passionate photographers!!! How fun! Excellent shot Mark, freezing the action of the splash!!! It is really most gorgeous!

superb piece my friend!!

Magnificent lens work as you plunge into the cold deep depths of Lake Michigan, but then again this could very well be a closeup of a frosted glass of root beer, Mark! In any event, great clarity, lighting and texture in this one.

This is such a great shot!

This looks splendid with the wonderful lighting and the colouring. An amazing photo so beautifully caught, at just the right moment. I know what you mean about being back amongst artists again. I'm sure we see things through different eyes. This is a real favourite for me. I'm chuckling over the person who thought you were a nut case.

This has such energy! It's so ALIVE! I love the light, the reflection, the patterns, the crop ... (Oh right ... it's me, so of course I love all those things! Duh ... I could have just stopped by and said "hey," and you would have known I loved all those things!) LOL! Spectacular capture, and way to go, protecting your lens! :D You rock!

Oh, I LOOOVVVE this! What a fantastic shot! And you timed it perfectly. Not an easy thing to do as I well know! This came out WAY cool. The whole point of being a ninja photographer, as I see it, is to take risks in order to get the best picture you can. And getting water splashed on the lens and potentially falling into Lake Michigan certianly qualify(LOL)! As to strange responses from strangers, I've gotten some doosies in the last 20+ years. The one that sticks in my mind was the woman in front of dumpy flophouse Hotel Chateau on Broadway who told me she'd call the cops if I made a picture of the ornate sign. And actual DID call the cops when I ignored her. To the best of my knowledge it isn't illegal to make a picture of a public building on a public street, but I didn't wait around to argue the point with our Boys in Blue. It IS illegal to make unauthorized pix of prisons, law enforcement facilities and military instalations, however. I found this out the hard way in 1988, when I inadvertantly make photos of a cool looking building downtown that I didn't realize was a federal detention facility and had my film confiscated by several very scary storm trooper types who then ran a background check on me. Not fun. Let's see, as to your question about objects on my desk. Hmmmm. In addition to the obvious things there are a lot of freebie promo give-away junk from various promoters who had shows at the Gateway Theatre, where I worked at the time. Scissors, a stapler and clear tape to put things into journal. An Ace bandage, a bunch of herbal suplements I was taking at the time and a scale model of The Blues Brothers' 1974 Dodge Monaco decomissioned Mount Prospect police car that somebody had given me from the previous Christmas. Knowing kinda takes all the fun out of it,eh? What is art? Haven't a clue. Whatever makes you happy and inspired I guess. I seem to be babbeling here-must be all the coffee. Anyway, great to see you back and posting. I love your work and always appreciate your wonderfully insightful comments.

It's the only way to photograph .. right down there, eyeball to eyeball with whatever the subject is! This is just Smashing!! The power of the water .. and the gentleness of it! The perfect moment, just before it crashes! What amazing timing! It looks like a fantastic art-glass wall .. reflected in an old ancient mirror, remember those old mirrors great-grandma had? I think they backed the glass with mercury and/or silver and it would tarnish in the most awesome way?