365 A Year in the Photographic Lives of Todd and Brad Reed

Like the thousands of other people packing downtown Ludington on New Year's Eve, I am overwhelmed with excitement and a sense of community spirit as the giant ball touches down to mark the start of 2010. The ball drop is one of the coolest events in the history of Ludington, both literally and figuratively speaking. F4.0 at 1/10, ISO 1600, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

The Hollyhock, a 225-foot Coast Guard buoy tender, made a surprise visit to Ludington Harbor this week. Tonight, we loaded our family into my dad's little Boston Whaler in order to get a closer look at the beautiful Coast Guard ship. Once we got close, we noticed that the Hollyhock was reflected on the surface of the water. F5.6 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I have long wanted to make a picture at this spot along the Betsie River near Crystal Mountain Resort. This is a perfect morning; nothing to it but to stop life's express train and do it. F11.0 at 1.0, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 22 mm

Lake Michigan is roiling at Pentwater this afternoon. Waves driven by 50-knot winds slam into the Pentwater South Pierhead Light and at this moment "storm light" works its magic. F5.0 at 1/1600, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 105 mm

We headed up to Crystal Mountain early this morning to be judges for the photo contest during the Teddy Knape Film Festival. I was dying to shoot some actions photos with our brand new 600 mm Nikon F4 lens. As my dad tore down the fall line on Loki, I tried to capture the intensity on his face. F5.6 at 1/5000, ISO 1000, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

The fire barn at White Pine Village screams with color every day as I pass it by on my way to and from home. But it has never looked brighter or more splendid to me than today during one of the biggest, most beautiful snowfalls of the winter. F11.0 at 1/125, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

This scene reminded me of mystic mornings I had experienced at Bar Harbor, Maine. A rainy morning can be among the best times to photograph. This view from the Lost Lake boardwalk was one of many that proved that point to our photography workshop students. F6.3 at 1/200, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 17 mm

A canoe along the Bass Lake shoreline emerges from the snow as another winter winds down. I can imagine the many seasons of good times the canoe has helped provide its owner. For now, I like the way the vintage watercraft looks resting in the snow. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

The sand hitting my face feels like shards of glass as I make my way to the water's edge at Stearns Park to photograph the Ludington North Breakwater Light. The winds over Lake Michigan at times exceed 60 miles per hour. Magic light, white clouds and dark blue sky behind are my backdrop. Now I just need a huge wave. Bingo! F5.6 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I was feeling down and out from a nasty chest cold earlier today so decided to drive by the house I grew up in on the corner of Pere Marquette and Ferry in Ludington. Driving by this house, especially in the winter, always makes me feel better. F22.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

My dad and stepmom Debbie were at the Brooks and Dunn concert tonight at the DTE Energy Music Theatre so I was flying solo while teaching our 20/20 Vision Summer Workshop that we hold every Thursday in Ludington. Just as I was pointing out the two red streaks in the water from the reflection of the clouds, a sailboat passed near by. F2.8 at 1/250, ISO 640, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Birds of a feather try to stay warm on a wire together along Iris Road. They remind me of tightrope walkers maintaining balance as their wire perch sways erratically with gusts of ice-cold wind. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

My favorite tugboat, the John Henry, is back working in Ludington harbor. I get myself to the west shore of Pere Marquette Lake by 7:00 A.M., in time to compose the picture and wait five minutes for the sweetest light. F5.6 at 1/125, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 22 mm

This looks like a picture from the Great Lakes' past. The Madeline, modeled after historic lumber schooners, sails into Pentwater harbor. Aboard on this Lake Michigan voyage are the ship's crew and Pentwater Yacht Club sailing students. The original Madeline sailed the waters of Lake Michigan more than 150 years ago. F4.0 at 1/800, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

I have tried for over six years to make a photograph that I was pleased with at this spot on North Lakeshore Drive along the shores of Hamlin Lake. Finally, today my wait is over. The real secret to the success of this photo is the immediacy of the snow and bushes in the foreground and the clouds in the distance. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Just in four days the 365 Project has already been forcing me to get out of my comfort zone and try to explore and photograph some new locations. Standing on the old train depot in Ludington, I could imagine my great-great-grandparents and other relatives working on the railroad here almost 100 years ago. F22.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

It is often hard for people to believe that photographs like this can be "real" and not just a bunch of computer manipulation. You have to train your eye to see where the color is really hiding. Tonight, I found the intense color on a small area of water on Hamlin Lake near the Middle Bayou. I used a large telephoto lens to show the viewer the real color. F9.0 at 1/8000, ISO 100, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

I have studied this old oak tree in Pere Marquette Township for some time. A fresh overnight snowfall highlights the massive tree's beautiful shapes. F11.0 at 1/5, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 130 mm

A fisherman slowly paddles to one of his favorite fishing holes on Lincoln Lake near Cartier Park. Mount Epworth is aglow behind him as the clouds make beautiful reflections on the calm water. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

Sometimes the simplest pictures are the best. At first I found myself looking and hoping for the presence of a duck or other added ingredient to this scene. The more I look, the more I see and appreciate the understated beauty of this stretch of the Pere Marquette River. F22.0 at 1/6, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm