The Wisconsin River takes a winding, leisurely course through the flatlands around Stevens Point. Bayous and sloughs abound, and many of them are surrounded by hardwood forests that explode in vibrant color every autumn.
Photographer Daniel Acker knows this well, and this flowage of the mighty river at Plover, just south of Stevens Point, is one of his favorite spots to photograph. Last fall, he captured our October Big Picture with his DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone – three shots stitched together in a panorama.
MilMag asked him more about the shot and his photography:
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
What is your favorite thing about this photo? What “makes” it?
I like photos with a lot of color, so of course fall is a great time to be taking photos! When the sky is also colorful and reflects onto a body of water, things get even better. The water was particularly still when I took this photo, which I think gives it a calming effect. And while lots of colors are great, I do think the evergreens on the right add some interest to the shot.
Do you often photograph this area?
I often go to this area to fly my drone, hoping to catch a great sunset with the river and islands in the foreground. The flowage is accessible by several boat landings on either side and is a popular fishing location. Sometimes a boat will cruise through, adding even more interest to the photos. It’s fun to see areas like this in different seasons – the landscape changes dramatically, so it’s almost like being in a new location.
Tell us a little about yourself as a photographer.
While I take studio and other non-nature photos as part of my job, I take a lot of landscape, nature and wildlife photos just because I enjoy it. I have always been interested in photography, and I’m always learning new things. Drones give the ability to capture perspectives that would otherwise be difficult or impossible, which I think is great. I post a lot of photos to my Instagram account.
Is there anything else you’d want people to know about this photo?
I can’t help but see it as God’s amazing creation when I’m viewing nature. So one thing I like to do is add a little message to my photos, something that seems to match the mood – often verses from Psalms. This particular photo was posted along with Psalm 145:13 – “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations.”
