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

This photograph is shot on sacred ground. At least the Reed family considers the land sacred where our cedar island meets the swamp. Most years you would see standing water in this area where the Pere Marquette River backs up and floods the low lands on our property. F6.3 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I find cardinals and blue spruce trees both to be among the most beautiful living things. At this moment I am hoping the flighty cardinal stays still long enough for me to pull the trigger on this shot from my blind. Click. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 800, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

The patterns on this stump, along with the fungus and grass, make for an outstanding photograph. After waiting three minutes for the sun to go behind a cloud, I was able to make this photograph in the bright overcast light. F3.5 at 1/100, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I was headed for Ludington State Park to find my picture of the day when I spotted these God beams over Lake Michigan. I diverted to Stearns Park and am now appreciating the gorgeous backdrop behind the Ludington lighthouse. F5.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

The golden rays of light over Lake Michigan were drawing a large crowd tonight down at Stearns Park. I ran out on the pier and tried to make a photograph with a fresh view of the Ludington North Breakwater Light and pier before the rays disappeared. I made it by about 30 seconds. F22.0 at 0.5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

I don't know anyone who catches more fish on the Pere Marquette River than Ralph Anderson. After watching Ralph land a steelhead with help from son-in-law Craig Ritzema, the diehard fisherman holds up a string of the coveted trout. F4.0 at 1/640, ISO 1600, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I wish I knew more about the history of this old farmhouse near the corner of Morton Road and Hawley Road. One of the coolest features is the rotting couch on the front porch. What a great setting for a horror movie! F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

Today all is beautifully still on the Lake Michigan waterfront at Crosswinds but the snow fence lining the beach foretells of the windy, wintry weather to come. I am looking forward to snow. F11.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

The 365 Project has made me a much faster and more confident photographer. I am getting much better at looking at a scene and knowing exactly what lens I want to use and roughly the exposure I am going to need. This scene needed a very large telephoto lens to make the background go soft. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Several months ago I spotted red light from the Shop-N-Save sign being cast subtly on a dry manhole cover in front of the Ludington supermarket. I pre-visualized then how the manhole cover would look when wet. I love a rainy night! Little did I know that Brad would shoot a photo later in the night near here. F11.0 at 15.0, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

We spent the entire day in Grand Rapids and I forgot my camera. When Betsy and I rolled back into Ludington at 9:00 P.M. it was dark and rainy and I noticed the neon sign from Shop-N-Save creating awesome designs on the Orchard Market greenhouse across the road on Old US 31. I came back with my camera. F5.6 at 5.0, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I am struck by the "mountains" rising above Lake Michigan and the color reflecting off the massive clouds. It is too windy on my deck, so I move the camera and tripod indoors and open a window to sharply capture the moment. F4.0 at 0.5, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

One of the windows was broken out of a building on South James Street in Ludington. By getting as close as I could with my 70-200 mm lens I was able to show the detail in the glass as well as make the inside of the building disappear. I love this photograph. F8.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

This is the highlight of tonight's sunset. For less than a minute the color in the sky is being reflected brilliantly on the railings of the new walkway in Ludington harbor. I expose for the highlights to make them stand out. F4.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

It is hard to beat the intensity of the sunlight right at sunset in late November. While making this photograph it reminded me that I am blessed to live in such a beautiful and diverse area of the natural world. F3.5 at 1/20, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 38 mm

On my way home tonight I am surprised to see that the carferry Badger has been trimmed in lights for the holidays. It is twilight, the best time to make the lights stand out while still showing detail of the great ship. F5.6 at 8.0, ISO 100, 24-70 mm lens at 52 mm

You never know when a photographic opportunity is going to present itself. Just as I was taking a drink of water at the Plaza Caf

The turkey is almost done cooking and family members will soon be arriving at our cabin for Thanksgiving dinner. I am taking time out to savor an additional blessing

Happy Thanksgiving! Today in Ludington the weather was gray and ugly almost the entire day. But just before sunset, the sun broke through the cloud layer and everything turned neon orange and pink. Luckily, I was ready and waiting at the end of the new pier near the Loomis Street Boat Ramp. F22.0 at 1.0, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

How many trees look as spectacular without leaves as this giant maple along Conrad Road? I photographed it on Day 209 with green leaves and on Day 290 when the leaves turned golden. Today the size and symmetry of its branches stand out. F4.5 at 1/640, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm