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

I have always admired the bravery of the commercial fishermen who venture onto Lake Michigan year around whenever possible. While making this shot of the Indian-owned and operated fishing tug Eagle, I wonder about the rugged vessel's life history; oh, if she could talk! F4.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

The sand hitting my face feels like shards of glass as I make my way to the water's edge at Stearns Park to photograph the Ludington North Breakwater Light. The winds over Lake Michigan at times exceed 60 miles per hour. Magic light, white clouds and dark blue sky behind are my backdrop. Now I just need a huge wave. Bingo! F5.6 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

First thing this morning I am back to catch the early morning light hitting hay bales in Lavern Sobieralski's field at the corner of Victory Drive and Conrad Road. Just as I had pre-visualized, the hay bales stand out in the morning light along with Roger and Marcia Hansen's barns at the adjacent Cherry Hill Farm. F22.0 at 1/25, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 105 mm

I have always admired the bravery of the commercial fishermen who venture onto Lake Michigan year around whenever possible. While making this shot of the Indian-owned and operated fishing tug Eagle, I wonder about the rugged vessel's life history; oh, if she could talk! F4.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

This is the second day I have been home sick on the couch with bronchitis and I am getting restless. A few moments ago I snuck outside with my camera and photographed the morning light hitting the frost on the hood of my red truck. Shhhh, don't tell Betsy! F9.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

January 22, 2010” “He is risen!” That familiar Christian declaration of faith in Jesus as savior came to mind on January 22, 2010 as I lined up the sun with the cross marking the long-recognized death site of missionary explorer Pere Jacques Marquette. According to the Jesuits, Father Marquette died on May 18, 1675, near this hilly spot between Pere Marquette Lake and Lake Michigan. I had been trying to make a sunset image like this for years, regularly scouting the potential from across Pere Marquette Lake during evening drives home. On this day the cross, sun, clouds and color combined to create a view better than I had ever imagined. One glance told me this was the day! But the sun was not quite lined up. I quickly calculated that if I could get to the end of the Ludington Yacht Club peninsula in time, everything might align. I drove the two blocks quickly, jumped out of my truck with my camera, 500-millimeter lens and tripod and ran until I ran out of land. Still the sun did not line up with the cross. Fortunately, a cold spell had built up the ice on Pere Marquette Lake. I did not hesitate to keep sprinting onto the ice. Twenty yards of running without falling on the slick ice later, everything lined up. I mounted the camera on the tripod, fine-tuned the tripod position and fired. Then I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God for good ice. I lived a few blocks away from this cross for more than a dozen years. During all those years of passing by the monument, almost daily, I had made only a few images of the cross that pleased me. None of them held a candle to this one. This image is especially dear to my heart not only because of its Christian symbolism but also because I have always loved and valued history, including the history of Father Marquette’s Ludington connection. Ludington was recognized as the death site of Father Marquette by generations of local Native Americans and settlers. In fact, when the area was first settled, Ludington was named Pere Marquette in honor of Father Marquette. The town was years later renamed Ludington in 1864 at the request of the most powerful lumberman in Pere Marquette at the time, James Ludington. The Pere Marquette River, Pere Marquette Lake, a street, a township and much more remain named Pere Marquette. Many different crosses have marked this spot over the centuries. This cross was erected in the 1950s as a community project. In 2019 and 2020, a new base for the cross was built through another community effort, and the cross has been put back in place to tower over Pere Marquette Lake. A lot of people believe that cross belongs there; I am one of them.

January 22, 2010” “He is risen!” That familiar Christian declaration of faith in Jesus as savior came to mind on January 22, 2010 as I lined up the sun with the cross marking the long-recognized death site of missionary explorer Pere Jacques Marquette. According to the Jesuits, Father Marquette died on May 18, 1675, near this hilly spot between Pere Marquette Lake and Lake Michigan. I had been trying to make a sunset image like this for years, regularly scouting the potential from across Pere Marquette Lake during evening drives home. On this day the cross, sun, clouds and color combined to create a view better than I had ever imagined. One glance told me this was the day! But the sun was not quite lined up. I quickly calculated that if I could get to the end of the Ludington Yacht Club peninsula in time, everything might align. I drove the two blocks quickly, jumped out of my truck with my camera, 500-millimeter lens and tripod and ran until I ran out of land. Still the sun did not line up with the cross. Fortunately, a cold spell had built up the ice on Pere Marquette Lake. I did not hesitate to keep sprinting onto the ice. Twenty yards of running without falling on the slick ice later, everything lined up. I mounted the camera on the tripod, fine-tuned the tripod position and fired. Then I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank God for good ice. I lived a few blocks away from this cross for more than a dozen years. During all those years of passing by the monument, almost daily, I had made only a few images of the cross that pleased me. None of them held a candle to this one. This image is especially dear to my heart not only because of its Christian symbolism but also because I have always loved and valued history, including the history of Father Marquette’s Ludington connection. Ludington was recognized as the death site of Father Marquette by generations of local Native Americans and settlers. In fact, when the area was first settled, Ludington was named Pere Marquette in honor of Father Marquette. The town was years later renamed Ludington in 1864 at the request of the most powerful lumberman in Pere Marquette at the time, James Ludington. The Pere Marquette River, Pere Marquette Lake, a street, a township and much more remain named Pere Marquette. Many different crosses have marked this spot over the centuries. This cross was erected in the 1950s as a community project. In 2019 and 2020, a new base for the cross was built through another community effort, and the cross has been put back in place to tower over Pere Marquette Lake. A lot of people believe that cross belongs there; I am one of them.

I was running out of daylight yesterday and worried that I would have to shoot my photo of the day for the 365 Project in the dark, when the sun broke through the thick cloud layer and cast magic light along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I quickly found some beautiful grass to frame my photograph. F2.8 at 1/6400, ISO 640, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

After being seconds too late to photograph the magic light at sunrise this morning and also missing great light hitting the Ludington North Breakwater Light with a giant rainbow, I finally got my prize at Big Sable Point Lighthouse this afternoon. Lake Michigan in October is cold, but worth it for the composition I wanted. F14.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 22mm

On my way home from Ludington State Park I have just enough time to shoot the sunset after finishing a photo tips program Brad and I put on at Big Sable Point Lighthouse. What a summer for sunsets this continues to be. F4.0 at 1/500, ISO 800, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

The Hamlin Lake Dam at Ludington State Park is so cool. I especially love photographing the dam in the winter months and seeing the different ice formations. The mix of straight lines and curved lines in this scene is what caught my attention today. F6.3 at 1/320, ISO 640, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Tonight there were more boats salmon fishing near the Ludington harbor than I have ever seen, and several of them were busy catching fish. I wanted to be out there fishing with my older brother, but he wasn't able to make it home this year. Maybe next year! F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm lens at 160 mm

As many of you know from the great Facebook debate, I had a hard time choosing which photo to use today. The pears at Meijer that I shot with my iPhone versus the ice at the end of Ludington Avenue I shot with my big camera. After reading the comments and objectively looking at the two compositions, I felt the pears were better art. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 91, iPhone camera

Cool barn! The repetitive patterns provided by this weathered old barn's board and batten siding, tin roof and screened window catch my eye for the first time even though I have passed by the barn before while driving on Gordon Road near Scottville. F4.0 at 1/800, ISO 800, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

The sunrise this morning over Harbor View Marina is gorgeous. I have heard the saying "Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning!" but I don't think this sailor has anything to worry about. F22.0 at 5.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Fishermen fly a large national ensign while trolling for salmon on Lake Michigan. I like their American spirit; I wish them luck catching fish this evening. The intense sunlight penetrates the flag and projects the color while the rest of the scene remains colorless. F5.0 at 1/8000, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

My dad and I always look to put S-curves into our compositions. Tonight while shooting inside the Ludington channel, I noticed an S-curve that kept appearing on the water surface. I waited till the light got lower in the sky and made this photo. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 800, 70-200 mm lens at 98 mm

Coast Guard Motor Life Boat 44345 is revered by many members of the Reed family. She always took care of her crew and brought them back to shore safely, including my dad. Sadly, she is sitting outside on blocks waiting for a home at the future maritime museum in Ludington. It kills me to see such a fine vessel in less than perfect condition. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I admire the craftsmanship and the beauty of Jeff LaPrad's wooden vessel as it sails past me onto Lake Michigan into another spectacular Ludington sunset. I have seen the handmade sailboat before and longed to be able to photograph it closer to my vantage point. Tonight I am on the end of the South Breakwater and the view is picture perfect. F3.2 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200 mm at 200 mm

This sign above Pere Marquette Sport Center in downtown Ludington leaps out with its message to fishermen. I have fond memories of going into this store as a boy to buy bait and other sporting goods with my grandfathers, father and brother. It was called Tuck's Sport Shop then and was owned by our neighbors, Tuck and Ivadel Daugherty. F11.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 100 mm