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

Kelly Lenius from Nader's Lakeshore Motor Lodge on Lakeshore Drive finished her scarecrow display today for the Mason County Scarecrow Competition. She made the entire cast of the Wizard of Oz. It is worth a drive to Ludington just to see her creation. F10.0 at 1/6, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

September 25, 2010” “Glorious,” I was thinking as I saw this scene through my viewfinder. While chasing the light at Ludington State Park with weekend photo workshop students, I remembered this nearby interdunal pond just in time. These less traveled spots in Ludington State Park have provided me with some of my favorite landscape views. The sands, water and plant growth are ever-changing. The always-changing light and clouds magnify the difference. Sometimes, all of nature’s parts come together; this was one of those times.

It is a quieter time of year on the waterfront. And while I miss watching a lot of boats plying in and out of the harbor, there is something to be said for the stillness and the simplicity of the view. F4.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 17 mm

I have had some fans of the 365 Project ask me why I have included so many pictures of my kids in the project. My answer is that I choose the best photo I take each day and sometimes the clear winner is a photo of my family. I shot some other nice photos today, but this one of Ethan was by far the best. F2.8 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Standing with a group of people who were salmon fishing off the bridge over the Sable River at Ludington State Park tonight, I witnessed one of the most dramatic sunsets of 2010. Just as the light peaked, a salmon jumped in the distance and I captured it with my camera. F8.0 at 1/20, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 70 mm

Using trees for cover, I have stealthily made my way to within 15 yards of this great blue heron. Fortunately for me, the heron's attention is primarily focused on the water and his quest for dinner. F3.5 at 1/500, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Today was the most difficult day so far this year for me to find a photograph that I was proud of. After driving around frantically for over an hour, I found this leaf on my friend Gary Ferguson's property. What a re-leaf. F8.0 at 6.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Hay bales turn to gold in the early morning autumn light in one of Laverne Soberalski's farm fields along South Victory Drive. The Hansens' neighboring Cherry Hill Farm stands out in the distance. F22.0 at 0.25, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 175 mm

Does this tree look familiar? It is the same tree that I photographed on Day 9 of the 365 Project. I love photographing the same objects or places different times of the year or in different lighting situations. This particular tree is beautiful every day of the year. F11.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

Earlier today, my daughter Julia and I drove almost 12 hours to visit my mom at her new job in Clarksville, Tennessee where she is a social worker at Fort Campbell for the Department of Defense. I noticed this pattern on the side of a U-Haul truck outside of her home. Can you tell what it is? F4.5 at 1/200, ISO 200, 18-50 mm lens at 46 mm

I have never seen so many milkweeds. In this amazing growing season, some Michigan fields have so much milkweed silk catching the sunlight that they look like cotton fields. The autumn winds scatter the seed-laden milkweed silk near and far. F3.2 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Today we headed from my mom's house near Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Paducah, Kentucky for my aunt's surprise birthday party. The sunset over Interstate 24 was gorgeous as it reflected off the hood of my truck. My mom's Honda CRV is the car in front of us. F2.8 at 1/8000, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

Waves, clouds and trees turning color give Epworth Heights an autumn look. It is a quieter but beautiful time of year at the historic resort. North Point Cottage stands out on the Lake Michigan shoreline just south of the Lincoln River outlet. F13.0 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 105 mm

My uncle and aunt, Tom and Toni Greene, have a beautiful home in Paducah, Kentucky. The front entrance and the formal living room are all marble. Next to one of the chairs is this display of marbles. Fitting, since my aunt Toni's maiden name is Marble. F6.3 at 1/200, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I am watching the last Badger show of the year. I am one of many Ludington residents watching as the Lake Michigan Carferry sails into the Ludington harbor at the end of its final voyage of the 2010 sailing season. F2.8 at 1/2000, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Several of my family members on both my mom's and dad's side have enjoyed playing tennis for many years. We all tend to be extremely competitive with each other on and off the court. After many attempts, I made this photo of my mom crushing an overhead shot. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 1600, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I spot a bald eagle on a favorite morning fishing perch overlooking Lake Michigan along South Lakeshore Drive. I set up nearby and wait about 20 minutes to capture its takeoff. F4 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Not far from Roselawn, Indiana on County Road 1000 there is a full-size John Deere tractor that sits atop a silo. Julia and I pulled into the farmer's yard for a closer look. The clouds and sky were perfect for a photograph. F7.1 at 1/400, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

The colorful, atmospheric sunrise this morning stops me in my tracks. The sun is coming up through waves of fog rising over Pere Marquette Lake. I am glad I got out early to catch this one. F4.0 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Ethan and I went out to the end of the dock at Cartier Park to see what the mist and fog looked like over Lincoln Lake with Epworth in the background. At first the view was rather ordinary, but within a few minutes the sunlight broke out of the clouds and the view became extraordinary. F7.1 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm