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

I didn't start out to shoot another ice shot today, but I find this one simply stunning. I shoot some shots with seagulls in the foreground, others with seagulls flying. Then I make this picture with no seagulls because I decide the birds are distracting the viewer from appreciating the beauty of the ice-coated rocks that caught my eye in the first place. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Fast Tango passes close by Ludington while competing in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. I like the look of this moment in the viewfinder as the North American 40 and another sailboat race toward Mackinac Island. F4.0 at 1/5000, ISO 400, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Some of you may recognize this house as the original location of the Todd Reed Gallery. My dad and stepmom lived in this house from 1990 through 2000 and the gallery was in the living room for most of that time period. We had a lot of great times as a family in this house and enjoyed great neighbors, too. F8.0 at 1/80, ISO 640, 18-50 mm lens at 26 mm

The sailboat Tranquility sails out of Ludington harbor toward Lake Michigan on one of the many tranquil evenings so far this summer. Even the clouds look tranquil tonight. F4.0 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 17 mm

Brad and I like to say, "Clouds are your friends." I certainly like the clouds and God beams this evening along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The wind-chill is below zero so I concentrate on the ever-changing beauty of the clouds, looking for the peak moment. This moment feels best; click. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

With his trusty retriever Kelly II serving as bow lookout, Dick Underwood navigates through the early morning fog to another fishing spot on Pere Marquette Lake. Dick is one of those diehard anglers I admire because they are not just fair weather fishermen. F5.6 at 1/5000, ISO 125, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Brad and I like to say, "Clouds are your friends." I certainly like the clouds and God beams this evening along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The wind-chill is below zero so I concentrate on the ever-changing beauty of the clouds, looking for the peak moment. This moment feels best; click. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

My great-grandma, Martha Delite Benson, was originally a Shoup and was born and raised near the farm where I took this photograph. It is still in the Shoup family. I love how life on this farm, and many other farms in Mason County, seems to move at a slower, more peaceful pace. F8.0 at 1/400, ISO 640, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

While photographing morning light striking an American Flag and flagpole at Ludington Municipal Marina, a rainbow appears in the western sky over the marina. This is a bright spot in a day that will be marred by yet another Lake Michigan drowning at Ludington. F5.6 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Last night I shot this scene of birch trees lining a creek along Fisher Road. I liked it then; I like it even more today in better light. Stands of birch trees are a dying sight in Michigan. I am happy to come back to them and appreciate them while they are still standing. F16.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Yesterday, while driving through Stearns Park Beach, I noticed a mixture of sand, snow, ice and rocks along the side of the road that looked very cat-like. I put my heavy cold-weather gear on and shot this photo. Seeing it today on the computer, I am shocked at how much it looks like a puma. F22.0 at 3.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

After photographing two other details of the carferry Spartan, I know I have found my picture of the day. Nature's work and man's work have combined to make what I find to be a very interesting sculpture. I don't think I will find the ice building up on the Spartan's bow and anchor chain to look more perfect again this winter. F16.0 at 0.4, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

While standing on the frozen shores of Lake Michigan at the First Curve beach inside Ludington State Park, I am amazed to see how much ice has frozen to the old jetties. I keep thinking to myself that the jetties now look like two polar bears side by side. F9.0 at 1/5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I have photographed pieces and parts of this old fishing boat several times this year during the 365 Project. Today, the head-on view with the rusted blue hull is what got me excited. F11.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 160 mm

A tip from a Pentwater area resident that had observed a lone sailboat in the mist on the way to work leads me to Long Bridge this morning to see if I can see what they have been seeing. Oh yeah! Thank you. F2.8 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 112 mm

As fishermen taking part in the national ice fishing tournament held in Ludington head toward their fishing grounds on Hamlin Lake, one of the most unique and artistic fish shanties I have ever seen catches my eye. I decide to make the shanty the subject of the picture and the fishermen the added ingredients. F7.1 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 112 mm

On Saturday night my family had a 34th birthday party for my older brother. We went to dinner in Manistee and then drove to the Big M Trail Head to cross-country ski in the moonlight. We were excited to see that volunteer members of the Manistee Cross-Country Ski Council had put out luminaries in front of the warming shelter. F2.8 at 30.0, ISO 200, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

Today was Ethan's first visit to Big Sable Point Lighthouse inside Ludington State Park. In between the handfuls of sand that he was eating, Ethan would momentarily pause and let me document his big day in front of the historic structure. F18.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Our workshop students were up to their waists in dewy grasses before sunrise and many of them were on their knees getting their cameras immediate to the wildflowers, grasses and weeds in a field near our Pere Marquette River property. I got down low beside them to immerse myself in the tapestry of spring growth. Six a.m. never looked better to me.

On Sunday afternoons, Betsy and I often take the kids for a Sunday Drive. I enjoy driving around looking for photographs and spending quality time with my family. Today, just as we were ending our drive for the day, Betsy pointed out an orange cat on the roof of an apartment house in Ludington. I love this photograph. F10.0 at 1/640, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm