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

Earlier today, I was in my backyard helping build a deck off the back of my house. While working, I kept seeing this little bird flying around and hopping from tree to tree. When trying to figure out what to photograph for my photo of the day, I remembered the beautiful bird from earlier in the day. F5.6 at 1/50, ISO 1600, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

I only had to walk 100 feet from my house to find this unexpected natural gem. It caught my eye while photographing songbirds in a nearby tree. I did not know then that I would like the image better than the bird photographs. They felt good; this image feels better. F2.8 at 1/80, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Tonight, I drove to my Grandpa and Grandma Reed's house to photograph some of the birds that frequent their beautiful yard. As I pulled into the driveway I spotted this male cardinal. Luckily for me, he stayed put for about 10 minutes, which allowed me to get in just the right spot to make this photograph. F4.0 at 1/200, ISO 1000, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

Tulip time! My Grandpa Benson, who lived with our family when my brother and I were young, planted a lot of tulips in our yard with help from my mom. Spotting these brilliant red tulips makes me think of how much my grandpa and my mom enjoyed watching those tulips come up every spring. F2.8 at 1/640, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

While photographing geese on a small pond near my home, I suddenly hear the familiar jackhammer sound that can be made by only one living thing: a pileated woodpecker. I swing my 500 mm lens around and there he is atop a power pole. Fortunately for the power company, the woodpecker soon moved on to find a better place to peck. F4.5 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

On my daily drive through Stearns Park, I noticed the mix of sunlight and a snow fence creating a graphic shadow on the pavement. I pulled over, grabbed my camera and made this photo. The entire process took less than one minute. I love when everything comes together that quickly. F10.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

We are driving to Calvin College in Grand Rapids to see an exhibit of famous National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry's work and hopefully to hear him speak. Heading south on Pere Marquette Highway I sight my first dandelions of the year in an apple orchard. This one looks perfect; it brightens my day. F16.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

Earlier today I got to meet one of my greatest idols in the photography world, Mr. Steve McCurry. Steve came to speak at Calvin College for the Festival of Faith & Writing and we went down to meet him. After one of his talks, Steve noticed a tattoo of one of his famous photographs on the leg of our friend, Shelby Dusseau, and he photographed it. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

For the second time in less than a week I am back at Summit Park rock hunting along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I am looking for that picture perfect wet rock to photograph in the golden light just before sunset. I find two I really like but this one stands out as the clear choice. F3.3 at 1/30, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

I attended Lakeview Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade and now I live across the street from the school. Even as a young child, I remember loving this tree that is located next to the playground. F7.1 at 1/320, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I love seeing the red-winged blackbirds in the Pere Marquette River flats south of Ludington. This male sings what I imagine is a springtime love song while swaying in the breeze atop a cattail. F5.6 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 500 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 700 mm

The Budweiser Clydesdales have been a favorite icon for the Reed family for decades because of the Ludington Beverage Company. A few years ago my uncle, Budde Reed, purchased a life-size statue of a Budweiser Clydesdale for the front lawn of Ludington Beverage. Today, I took Julia to see the statue and to make my photo of the day. F6.3 at 1/400, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

After waiting without success for a pair of sandhill cranes to show up along the Pere Marquette River and resume their courting ritual, I find myself zeroing in on the sun rising in front of the hardwood forest east of the marsh. F5.6 at 1/160, ISO 100, 500 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 700 mm

Today this piece of grass growing on the banks of Baldwin Lake became my subject for my photo of the day. My dad and I did a photo talk and book signing at the Flat River Community Library in Greenville. Before the event, we drove around the beautiful little town of Greenville and found this photograph. F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 500, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Admiring the beauty of this blossom, I can't help but wonder how the local fruit trees are going to fare with the frosty weather the weatherman is predicting. I'm glad I am a photographer right now instead of a fruit farmer. F8.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105mm

My 10-month-old son Ethan is not always fond of naps. However, he will sleep in his car seat. So, tonight after work I loaded him into my truck and we drove around town for about an hour. I photo-hunted and he finally slept. I found this tree trunk on Ferry Street. I loved all of the textures and colors in this photo. F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 24 mm

I pass by this horse every week on my way to and from West Shore Community College. During the winter, Julie Schroeder's Arabian Aadaraan (aka Casey) tends to stay in the barn or close to the barn at the corner of Fisher and Peterson Roads. Today, I am glad to find the 29-year-old Arabian chestnut gelding basking in the sunshine close to the road. F3.2 at 1/800, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

This rooster on Morton Road, owned by Mark and Katie Cooper, is definitely the cock of the walk! He thinks he is hot stuff and wanted me and the rest of the world to know it. F2.8 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

On Earth Day I am delighted to find a tree that appears to be the perfect color and design complement to Leonard and Bev Gavigan's grand Ludington home on Court Street. F4.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 19 mm

On my way to play basketball tonight, I noticed the shadow of the American flag on the side of West Shore Bank. I used my wide-angle lens to distort the building and make it appear larger and more castle-like than it already is. The gold light from the setting sun and blue sky also worked in my favor. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm