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

I love the return of spring and all of the pretty flowers and blossoms, but what I love the most is the singing birds. This robin was hard at work finding food near the public boat ramp off of Lakeshore Drive on Lincoln Lake. F5.6 at 1/1600, ISO 1000, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

The sweeping view of the C-shaped shoreline from the Ludington city beach northward toward Epworth Heights has always appealed to me. I especially like it when Epworth comes to life for a new season and the cottages begin lighting up at night. F4.5 at 30.0, ISO 100, 80-200 mm at 80 mm

Later tonight my dad and I have to present a slide show at the West Michigan Birding Festival, so I got up early this morning and set out to make at least one more good image of birds. I headed to Lincoln Lake to see what I could find. After many failed attempts, I finally got one photograph that was sharp and well composed. F9.0 at 1/2000, ISO 800, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

During a walk with grandchildren Rachel, Ty, and Austin near their Waterford home, we take time to appreciate the tulips planted in a neighbor's garden. F4.5 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 185 mm

This rabbit was so fat that it really didn't hop very well. It waddled around our neighborhood more like a little piglet. My daughter Julia got a huge kick out of watching our furry, fat neighbor. F4.0 at 1/80, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Parents escort a squadron of Canada geese goslings on an evening voyage across Pere Marquette Lake. Perhaps the youngsters are practicing the precision V-formations they will be part of when they learn to fly. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200 mm at 200 mm

Shooting reflections of trees in the Sable River has become a favorite pastime of mine when I need to clear my head and get away from the stress of life. Tonight I enjoyed the peace and quiet of Ludington State Park and waited for the light to fall in just the right spots to make this photograph work. F22.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

When my brothers and I were younger we spent a lot of time on the beach at Partridge Point on Lower Hamlin Lake. I returned to that beach tonight for the first time in years hoping for a good sunset. To my excitement, the sunset was spectacular. F9.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

I received an urgent call from my son and business partner Brad telling me to hurry to get a shot of one of the most unusually colorful sunsets of the year. I am shooting pictures in my yard at the time so I have to sprint to the top of a nearby dune with my camera, biggest lens and heaviest tripod. I am winded but the tip and the effort pay off. F4.0 at 1/640, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Four years ago I took a photograph of my daughter Julia in our front yard holding this same soccer ball in great light. Tonight, I saw similar light hitting the driveway and the idea for this photograph of Ethan came to mind. It was a little harder to pull off this time because Ethan is much more active and aggressive than his sister. F6.3 at 1/200, ISO 800, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

When I spotted my American Flag fluttering in the breeze as I look to make a picture of these blossoms, I know I have found my 365 picture of the day. It occurs to me that the beauty of America is one of the reasons so many American veterans have been willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to defend her. F4.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Lately when my dad and I have to drive someplace, we have been making an effort to go down roads we have never driven. Just south of Fremont, Michigan on a country road, my dad and I found this design made of shingles on the roof of an old barn. It was the best roof art I have ever seen. F11.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 116 mm

Willow trees are mystical and beautiful. This morning I found this willow tree and its reflection south of Ludington and stood on the roof of my truck to make this photograph. I had to get up high so that the entire reflection showed up in the water. F11.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 46 mm

I am 17 minutes late for pizza with the grandkids but I just have to make a picture of these petals in my driveway that had come down with the rain. It takes a few minutes to zero in on the best composition but I think I have it now. Click. F16.0 at 0.6, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

I have used this same tree to frame pictures in both fall and winter. This morning

One of our workshop students and I stumbled upon this fawn near one of the trails north of the Beechwood Campground inside Ludington State Park this morning. The fog and light rain add to the mood. F2.8 at 1/25, ISO 400, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

It is beginning to feel like summer and lo and behold there is a butterfly to make it appear even more summer-like. The butterfly swings in the evening breeze along with the tree branches. F3.5 at 1/100, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The new walking paths inside Cartier Park in Ludington are great places to look for photographs. My daughter Julia pointed out these flowers to me. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I have been helping my dad, brother and several other veterans place more than 2,000 Americans Flags on the graves of veterans in Lakeview and Pere Marquette cemeteries today. Now I have returned to Lakeview Cemetery to make a picture that I think will honor all the veterans who have died in the service of our country. F4.0 at 1/50, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

A runner enjoys the warm sunset this evening along the Ludington North Breakwater. The waterfront in Ludington is a great place to exercise and enjoy nature at the same time. F2.8 at 1/2000, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm