Upper Peninsula
Most people don't even know this is part of Michigan, but here is where you can find "yoopers" (as we're called). Having grown up in U.P., I'm a little partial to this area with the diversity of photographic subjects here. What I have found though is most people don't even know what's in their own backyard. So it was with me and the U.P., until I started exploring the area more under the guise of taking pictures.
Lighthouses
There are many lighthouses dotting the U.P. shoreline covering Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron. They were my favorite subjects when my interest in photography took off, and they remain that way today. I feel the most notable of these are on the Lake Superior shoreline. On the south side of the peninsula, Seul Choix point is worth a look. In the North, I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite, but Au Sable, Eagle Harbor, Big Bay Point and Point Iroqouis come to mind. However, when it comes to the title of most desolate light house - Crisp Point stands alone.
The Copper Country and Brockway Drive
If you think of Fall and the U.P, there are three areas that come to mind: Lake of the Clouds in the Western U.P., Munising in the central area, and the Copper Country in the far North. The drive from Houghton/Hancock to Copper Harbor is wonderful. You'll see both Fall color and some rich history from the copper mining boom-town days. (Did you know that Calumet was almost the capitol of Michigan?) Brockway Mountain drive comes close to being the U.P.'s version of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Munising Area
Spend a week (or two) here in the Fall and use Munising as your home base to explore the area. While better known for snowmobiling in the Winter months, Munising has a variety of photo opportunities within an hour's drive. An abundance of waterfalls, access to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and stunning Fall color make it one of my favorite areas in the U.P.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
A great location for hiking and camping, I was more interested in the stunning rock formations like Miners Castle or the Lake Superior shoreline. For a unique side trip, take the Pictured Rocks boat tour (late afternoons are best for photography). If you want to stay in the car, then pack the beef jerky, a cooler full of pop and drive the washboard road from Munising to Grand Marais for a scenic all-day outing. Here you'll find the Hurricane River, a white birch forest, and the AuSable dunes. Just make sure you have enough gas, because there's nothing around for miles and cell phones don't work here.
Federal Forest Highway 13
Similar to Brockway Mountain drive in the North, Highway 13 (and Country Road 509, and ... ) offer outstanding opportunities for Fall leaf peepers. The difference with Highway 13 is that it provides access to a number of small lakes (Pete's Lake, Moccasin Lake, etc.) for those great shots of Fall Color reflections.
Waterfalls
Plenty of Waterfalls here...Tahquamenon Falls is probably the largest and best known of the bunch. Expect plenty of people there, but you'll get some good shots in all seasons. My other favorites are Bond Falls near Paulding, and AuSable Falls. If I had limited time and needed to pick one area for waterfall pictures, I'd go to Munising.
Lower Peninsula
If you're from the U.P., this is where the "trolls" live. Why trolls? Because trolls live under the bridge - the Mackinac Bridge of course (pronounced mack-ih-naw).
Mackinac Island
Reachable via ferry from St. Ignace on the U.P. side, and Mackinaw City on the Lower Peninsula side, the island is famous for Mackinac Island Fudge and the Grand Hotel - where Somewhere In Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour was filmed. No automobiles are allowed on the island, so bring/rent a bike or wear comfortable shoes. You can also tour the island on a leisurely carriage ride. My only gripe is the main street is VERY touristy, so if you're not in need of cheap t-shirts and an endless volume of postcards, head to other areas of the island.
Lighthouses
The eastern shore of Lake Michigan has more lighthouses than you can see in a day. I liked Big Sable, Little Sable, Point Betsie, and the Holland light.
Sleeping Bear Dunes
Similar to the AuSable dunes in the U.P. (though larger), this is another area worth spending some time to explore.