How we captured this photo of ice buildup along the lakefront

This week’s top photo comes from Visual Journalist Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere. Follow him on X and Instagram.

What makes this photo great?

The ice build-up really creates a visual that looks like an alien landscape and highlights the beauty and danger that this time of the year — especially along the lakefront — is known for. You have the subtle cool colors in the sky reflecting off the ice, the man's clothing, and also the light station. Also, the man's expression is one of awe and amazement and afterward, like so many others, he was quick to snap some photos.

How did you get the shot?

It was cold outside and I was out and about during my shift gathering weather photos, and while driving along the lakefront near Foster Beach I noticed just how much ice buildup was along the seawall and beach. I knew I could make some great frames.

I really like adding the human element to my weather images — to not only show scale, but to show how normal people fit in these extraordinary weather events. This man was doing the same as I, exploring the beach and lakefront, taking photos. I noticed he walked out to the light station to get some cell phone photos of the ice-encrusted seawall and knew that at some point he’d have to walk back.

I hunkered down, created a focus trap, and waited for him into the frame I was envisioning. I got really lucky, though — the moment he got into the area, he turned slightly to the side and raised his hood a bit to get a look at some of the ice build-up.

Technical details:

• Equipment: Nikon Z with a 24-70mm f2.8 lens
• Focal length: 54mm
• Aperature: f/14
• Exposure: 1/400 second
• ISO: 100

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