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

It is fun and a challenge to try to capture what world-famous photographer Cartier-Bresson described as the "decisive moment." My goal on this shot is to capture Erica Karmeisool and her fan club at just the right moment as she finishes her first triathlon in Ludington. F4.0 at 1/640, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

One of my friends from high school, Ali Smith Molnar, owns Smith Sports Training and she helps train other people and get them into shape. Today, Ali competed in the triathlon in Ludington. She beat most of the men in the Olympic distance race. It was awesome watching her and the rest of the participants. F2.8 at 1/5000, ISO 400, 70-200 mm lens at 110 mm

My wife Debbie and I have arrived in Charlevoix just in time to catch the afterglow light along the rocky Lake Michigan shoreline at Fisherman's Island State Park. These two rocks quickly stand out to me because of their size, shape, texture and the way the light and shadow define them. F16.0 at 13.0, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

While driving out M-116 along Ludington State Park, I had my eye on the gorgeous sunset over Lake Michigan. When I pulled off the road to shoot the sunset, I noticed the large moon. I got back in my truck and found a tree to put in my photo. I love surprise photographic opportunities like this. F22.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 95 mm

One of my photography heroes, the late great Galen Rowell, made some stunning photographs of campsites during climbing expeditions. I thought of his poetic camp images while envisioning this shot at Fisherman's Island State Park. I am combining and balancing the light still remaining in the sky with lantern and bonfire light. F4.0 at 30.0, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

Jen Satterfield had her three-year-old German Shepard, Bella Carlisle, fetching a water bottle in Lake Michigan tonight near the Loomis Street Boat Ramp. I couldn't resist walking over with my camera for a closer look. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 800, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The clouds have been stunning all day. I have already made several good Lake Michigan shoreline photographs. Yet I knew that if the clouds stuck around, the evening light would make the clouds more colorful. Sure enough; with the luck of the Irish, the Emerald Isle ferry returns to Charlevoix from Beaver Island at the peak of magic light. F4.0 at 1/500, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

On October 9, 2010, the Ludington and Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the 3rd annual Barns & Byways Tour in Mason County. This year, the tour will take place in Victory Township. The beautiful Victory Trinity Lutheran Church will be included on the tour. F6.3 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 27 mm

During a hike from our campsite to Fisherman's Island, my wife Debbie and I are mesmerized by the beauty of the rocky, shallow lake bottom as Lake Michigan waves undulate above the rocks. I shoot as some of the rocks are nearly uncovered between waves. I want to convey the beauty of the rocks and the clarity and liquidity of the water. F3.5 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Magic light strikes the path to the Green family farm on Beaver Island. Ludington friends Tony and Betty Green invited Debbie and me to visit the 120-acre farm established by Tony's family nearly 150 years ago when they emigrated from Arranmore Island, Ireland to this Lake Michigan island. F4.0 at 1/40, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Our friends Paul and Lisa Cooper have turned their new homestead on South Stiles Road into a little farm they call Carn Brea. Currently they have four mini horses and four of the cutest little sheep I have ever seen. This sheep looks huggable! F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Today was the big move. Betsy and I moved into our new house near the Lincoln River in Ludington earlier today with the help of some of our strong friends. I went into our backyard and made this photo near the creek that runs through our property. F22.0 at 10.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

A piece of Americana, Sleder's historic restaurant/saloon in Traverse City, has long been a stopping point for us. And so it is today. Amidst old stuffed animals on the walls, including a moose you can kiss, we have enjoyed great food and family times so good that the Reeds often seem to be on laughing gas. F10.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

It is hard to believe that fall is fast approaching. The proof is in this colorful leaf that I found in our backyard tonight. I love the fall and am looking forward to the change in season. F20.0 at 2.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

My 14-month-old son Ethan allowed me to borrow his toy chicken to make this photograph in our backyard. If you look really closely you will see a chicken sitting on a nest inside the stump. We had to put some humor in the 365 Project! F22.0 at 6.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 26 mm

Everything appears to be growing bigger, better and well ahead of schedule this year. The dune grass along the Lake Michigan shoreline is in full bloom at least two weeks early and this evening it looks picture perfect to me, along with the clouds that usually don't look this good until October. F4.0 at 1/400, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Today I walked across the street from our new house and explored the land along the Lincoln River. The grass and cattails were several feet above my head and showed no sign of slowing down their growth. It was also a mosquito heaven and I was dinner. The photo made the excursion worth it. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

It is a blue morning along Lake Michigan and I am a blue person. By that I mean I love the color blue; don't ask me why, but I always have. Some might say I wear blue clothing way too often. They probably don't notice as much my penchant for blue pictures. Now they know. F4.0 at 1/320, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

While Betsy and I were chatting with some of our new neighbors in our side yard, I noticed a tree full of fungus. I excused myself from the conversation to make this photograph before the light changed. F22.0 at 15.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 46 mm

I love watching thunderstorms sweep toward my home from across Lake Michigan. I have seen a lot bigger storms and bigger lightning bolts, but I still find the bolts of this storm exciting and alluring. Why is it that so many of us are drawn to storms? F5.6 at 30.0, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm