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

Snowdrops are popping up all over Mason County today. I knew John and Marion Riedl had a great garden last year, so I drove over to their house near the gallery and looked around. John came out and said, "The snowdrops are in the backyard." Thanks for your help, John and Marion! F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 34 mm

Daylight is fast fading away when I finally find a picture that feels good. The combination of the diverse patterns and textures of the log, feather and sand make for a good mix. F32.0 at 20.0, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

The fish fry at St. Simons Catholic Church has become a popular community-wide fundraising event in recent years for people of varying religious backgrounds and beliefs. The money raised goes to support the elementary school at St. Simons. Nathan Kroon was one of the many volunteers making the fish fry a huge success. F2.8 at 1/10, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Earlier in the day Brad and I were shown this Charlevoix spot and thought it had good potential for an evening shoot with students taking part in our photography workshop. Now at 6:39 P.M. I can hardly believe the glorious light as I make this picture after helping some students make some strong images of their own design. F9.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

The color of the water in Lake Charlevoix often has a tropical feel to it because of its green tint. This morning however, it looked very cold and rugged near shore because of the mix of the rocks and ice. F22.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I have to laugh and smile looking at the face I see on the trunk of this birch tree. We take some pictures just for the fun of it. F11.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Today the weather was spectacular in Ludington. Betsy and I dug out the double stroller and loaded up Ethan and Julia and we all went for a nice walk down to the beach. Just down the road from our house, I made this photo of a freshly cut tree stump. F9.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

I am looking on the forest floor for one of those interesting details of nature when this hair from a deer that did not survive the winter catches my eye. I find this detail beautiful even though I am saddened about the deer. F18.0 at 1/60, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 185 mm

The Mason County Courthouse is an impressive structure that has intrigued me since I was a young boy. Our courthouse was finished in 1894 and is still in use today. Grand Rapids architect Sidney J. Osgood designed the Richardsonian Romanesque building. The sandstone used to build the courthouse came from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. F5.0 at 1/320, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

My dad and I often tell our workshop students to try to shoot reflections or water on bright sunny days. The water will render very chromatic and brilliant compared to the sky or other surroundings that are being washed out by the sunlight. F5.0 at 1/320, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

The students in my Photo 1 class at West Shore Community College have set out this morning to find images that will render well with color film. I enjoy watching them use their own vision to find images I might never see. We talk about looking close; I follow my own advice and find this frosted maple leaf. F20.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

For several generations now, Sportsman's Restaurant & Irish Pub has been the place to be for green beer and good times in Ludington on St. Patrick's Day. Tonight I took a photo of Megan Payment enjoying the festivities. Her family has owned the iconic Ludington destination for many decades. F2.8 at 1/250, ISO 1250, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

These grand old maple trees look particularly attractive to me wearing their maple syrup pails in the morning light. I am sure my friend from high school days, Stanley Peterson, won't mind me stopping in the front yard of his beautiful farm on Benedict Road to make this image. F22.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

I nearly drove off the road this morning when I saw the apartment house on the corner of Ludington Avenue and Ferry Street being demolished. My mom used to live in the basement apartment when I was a young boy. I made this image of Tim Ferwerda and his excavator from Precision Grading & Trench just before the last wall hit the ground. F22.0 at 1/250, ISO 1250, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Engine 1223 looks like it could still be steaming along the tracks but is actually a static exhibit in Grand Haven. The 1941 Pere Marquette Railroad locomotive built in Lima, Ohio, reminds me of the heydays of trains in Ludington when the Pere Marquette Railroad operated here. F10.0 at 1/25, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 13 mm

I was at a loss for finding a photo of the day when I noticed the brightly painted fence one block south on the lawn of the library on Rowe Street in Ludington. As I drove closer, I knew I had found my photo of the day. A different child painted each slat on the fence and it is very impressive. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I love watching the natural world come to life along the Pere Marquette River. It is Saturday and I have slowed down to savor the morning, quietly watching the river flow by our cabin. F6.3 at 1/125, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Today I stumbled upon a beautiful feather that was wedged between some wild grasses and a fallen tree along the shores of the Pere Marquette River in front of our family cabin. I had no idea that my dad had been out shooting in almost the same exact spot a few hours earlier. That is the second time that has happened so far with the 365 Project. F2.8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

What a way to celebrate the official arrival of Spring. It is Sunday evening and any visitors to the Silver Lake sand dunes at Silver Lake State Park have long since left their footprints behind. I alone am appreciating these grand dunes. I feel privileged. F22.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

The waters of Lake Michigan were amazingly calm and brilliant today along the shores of Ludington State Park near the First Curve on M-116. F9.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm