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Dave Thompson

@davethompsonstudio

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Professional Nikon photographer specializing in architecture & engineering, historic preservation & restoration.

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There are really no ordinary photo shoots at the Michigan Capitol. They all provide historical context. Most also share some deep meaning, including battle flag staffs from Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, the Meuse River-Argonne Forest, and many, many more. by @davethompsonstudio

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a month ago

Nearly total (96%) lunar eclipse in the early morning hours of August 28, 2026. Shot in Ada, Michigan on a Nikon D5 with a 400mm f/4 Nikkor lens. by @davethompsonstudio

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2 months ago

Looking west along Vergennes Street in Ada, Michigan. Layers of trees, roller coaster hills and the road’s E/W orientation make this a beautiful drive before sunset. Just walking to the mailbox can be rewarding. taken in Ada, Michigan by @davethompsonstudio

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2 months ago

“Calder on the Roof” cutting through July 16 wildfire smoke during what is normally late afternoon sun in GR.
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#puremichigan by @davethompsonstudio

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3 months ago

Almost summer at Grand Haven State Park pier. taken in Grand Haven Lighthouse and Pier by @davethompsonstudio

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4 months ago

Shot some of the No Kings Rally in Grand Rapids today. This one was much larger than the last, and the signs just get more creative and clever. Thankfully there was no conflict. Pretty much a family event. I also met and photographed Lucy, the amazing 15-year-old lab.

#gettyimages #MLive #NoKings by @davethompsonstudio

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7 months ago

Honored that my Michigan State Capitol dome restoration photo is a top 10 finalist in the American Experience category of the Smithsonian Magazine 2025 Photo Competition, jury-selected from 17,000+ entries worldwide.

There’s also a separate Reader’s Choice award decided by the public. Voting is open now through Mar 30. You can find my image in “The American Experience” (second category on the webpage), and click “Vote.” Link is in the comments.

https://photocontest.smithsonianmag.com/photocontest/archive/2025/

Thank you @smithsonianmagazine

#michigancapitol
#puremichigan
#nikonprofessional by @davethompsonstudio

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7 months ago

Perhaps you’ve seen Michigan’s gorgeous Capitol rotunda at some point. Most of the time we see hues of orange, yellow, mustard, blue, gold, silver, bits of red, and a gradient greenish blue when we look up towards the dome’s star-studded oculus.

But if you look close, the rotunda has a color palette that can change, depending on the color and intensity of natural light streaming in through the windows. That light, or in this case, a lack of light after sunset, can give the rotunda a very different vibe. On this day, more blues than yellows.

#puremichigan
#michigancapitol
#elijahmyers
#michigancapitolcommission
#nikonprofessional
#nikond5 taken in Michigan State Capitol by @davethompsonstudio

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8 months ago

Thought I’d share an image from a recent shoot at the Michigan CapitoI.

This photo shows the rostrum of the Senate chamber. This piece of Michigan history is beautiful from any angle, but to showcase this much carved wood, I placed over a dozen LED lights within the rostrum area, to bring out the texture and to fill in a few shadows.

Before I started shooting, I wanted to check the placement of the LEDs, so I shut off all lighting and closed the shutters in the Senate chamber and fired off a few test frames. :::CLICK:::

It made for a pretty unusual and dramatic photo.

@davethompsonstudio
#michigancapitol
#michigancapitolcommission
#MSCC
#michigansenate
#puremichigan
nikonD5
nikonprofessionalservices
puremichigan
sayyestomichigan
winterwaterwonderland by @davethompsonstudio

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9 months ago

A quick thank you to @smithsonianmagazine for dropping two of my images into “Editors Pick.”

By the way, a few shots of mine have been entered into a Smithsonian Magazine competition and two were tossed into Editors' Pick. Kinda cool.

*Link in comments* taken in Michigan State Capitol by @davethompsonstudio

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a year ago

I’m ramping up for 2026 with a refreshed IG handle. by @davethompsonstudio

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a year ago

Fifty years.
**** NOTE: I am not the artist behind this photo. Credit goes to Roger LeLievre, a great photographer and the author of the long running series of priceless Great Lakes reference books called "Know Your Ships." by @davethompsonstudio

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a year ago