It is true that you can use lamps and half log hides successfully but many new keepers can't make them work properly.
Heat lamps are a well known cause for bad sheds. It is a FACT that they sap humidity from the air, which is crucial during a shed cycle.
It is a FACT that half log hides are very open and don't provide enough security for some ball pythons. I have seen many people come in here asking why their snake won't eat. Generally they are using half log hides and once they switch to more enclosed hides, the snakes start eating.
So saying that the advice given in this thread is inaccurate. Just because it works fine for you doesn't mean it works fine for everyone. I am not saying that you can't use half logs and you can't use lamps, but if your snake is having problems shedding or it isn't eating, then you should probably reconsider those husbandry decisions.
There are many factors to take in to consideration in regards to husbandry. If you live in a humid environment, chances are using a heat lamp will be just fine. But if you live in michigan like the OP, having a heat lamp is just going to work against you with maintaining humidity.