Michael Shake, Featured Artist

About Michael and His Photography

I have a lifelong love for photography and that passion has been reborn over the last few years with the advances in digital photography. I love the control I have with my digital camera and in the digital darkroom of Photoshop.

It allows me to explore my creative side that just wasn't possible with film cameras. My photography started as a hobby, but has grown into much more. It's great to be able to do something you love and earn some money from it along the way too! Using the Internet has brought all kinds of new opportunities to my photography. It has also allowed me to connect and learn from some great photographers too. I specialize in several different genres: automobiles, new upscale homes, waterfalls, scenics, and macro photography.

Michael's Favorite Subject Matter

Automobiles are a favorite subject of mine. I love the clean lines and bright colors of new cars. I like to find interesting angles to capture them and then isolate the image in Photoshop. Many of these images are quite beautiful and it always pleases me to see one jump from the screen at me with that 'WOW' factor.

The new upscale home photographs are very useful for real estate companies, agents, landscapers and for home [construction] companies. I try to photograph them when the weather conditions are ideal, normally in the spring with bright, blue skies, a few cumulus clouds, and lots of spring flowers and green grass.

Waterfalls are something that my wife and I really enjoy. We plan a couple trips each year to visit waterfalls in the eastern part of the U.S.A. I have seen well over 300 waterfalls now. There is nothing like seeing a beautiful waterfall deep in the forest with no one else around. Capturing a photo of a beautiful waterfall and sharing it with others who may never be able to go see it in person is very satisfying to me. I recently was contacted by a couple who became engaged at one of the waterfalls I photographed in Michigan. I was pleased to be able to give them a photo of it as a memory of that very important place and location for them.

Macro photography is an area where I can really be creative. The possibilities are endless. Many of these photos in my collection make great concepts. It's an area I want to explore even more in the future.

The Equipment I Use for My Photographs

My equipment has advanced along with my skills over the last few years. I now use a Nikon D200, prior to that I was using a Nikon D70. I also have a growing lens collection and many lighting options available to me. I process all my photos with Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Ordering a Business Card with One of Michael's Images

If you see an image you would like to use for your next business card, please click on it. It will immediately open up in the Card Editor which will allow you to start creating a great looking, professional business card. To see more of Michael's photography, please visit his site by clicking here.