Lake Erie can get extremely violent and these are the photos to prove it

Lake Erie may be the warmest and shallowest of North America's Great Lakes, but it's more beast than beauty. The world's 12th largest lake is notoriously stormy and has been known to pound boats, break walls, and beaches with waves reaching 25 feet.

It's not all smooth sailing on Lake Erie.

While gusts of wind over 50 miles per hour might send most running for the shore, professional photographer Dave Sandford suits up and wades in. His work captures Lake Erie at its most turbulent, creating mesmerizing images that show the grace and power of the natural world.

For former sports photographer Dave Sandford, shooting Lake Erie's monstrous waves is not unlike his past job. "Things happen very fast, in the blink of an eye," Sandford said.

For former sports photographer Dave Sandford shooting Lake Eries monstrous waves is not unlike his past job Things happen very fast in the blink of an eye Sandford said


Anticipation is key. Before heading out for a shoot, he reads the weather and surf reports.

Anticipation is key Before heading out for a shoot he reads the weather and surf reports

Sandford wears a wet suit, life vest, gloves, and neoprene boots "on set." His camera gear is protected with underwater photography gear from Aquatech Imaging Solutions.

Sandford typically spends a half-hour or so studying the water from the shore — where the waves break, what direction the water moves, and how his exposure is.

Sandford typically spends a halfhour or so studying the water from the shore where the waves break what direction the water moves and how his exposure is


"There are so many variables to consider before even releasing the shutter for that first frame," he said. "The better I can acquaint myself with the situation ... the better my images are going to be."

Fortunately, Sandford is quite familiar with his subject. He grew up 40 miles north of Lake Erie, where he fished, boated, and sunbathed.

Fortunately Sandford is quite familiar with his subject He grew up 40 miles north of Lake Erie where he fished boated and sunbathed


His photography requires at least 50 kilometer-per-hour winds blowing southwest. These conditions almost guarantee waves over 20 feet. "The stronger the better," he said.

Once he determines conditions are safe, Sandford wades into the water. Temperatures on the lake in winter hover around the freezing point.

Once he determines conditions are safe Sandford wades into the water Temperatures on the lake in winter hover around the freezing point


"The waves are like being in a giant washing machine and come from all directions," Sandford said. No two shoots are the same.
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"You don't really have time to react in these situations. You have to anticipate to get these moments," he said. But conditions change quickly.


"I've seen [Lake Erie] be as flat as a pancake and, in under 30 minutes, whip up into a mad frenzy," he said. "She always commands respect."


There are some occupation hazards, including bumps and bruises. Sometimes a wave will slam Sandford to the lake's floor and hold him under for "longer than I ideally would like," he said.

"Obviously the worst-case scenario is drowning," he said. "The thing I try to remember is to be confident in my abilities, but not overconfident. The water is always going to win."

If the waters get too rough, Sandford returns to the shore and shoots using a longer telephoto lens, like he would on a sports field.

If the waters get too rough Sandford returns to the shore and shoots using a longer telephoto lens like he would on a sports field


Sandford said having a healthy respect for the lakes and oceans keeps him safe.

Sandford said having a healthy respect for the lakes and oceans keeps him safe


"In the end it's worth the scars and the bumps and bruises," Sandford said. "It's what I love, it’s a passion that drives me."

Lake Erie can get extremely violent and these are the photos to prove it

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