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

I have appreciated these grasses for several years in the Pere Marquette River Flats near the former city dump site. They look splendid to me tonight rising above the marsh, backlit by the setting sun. I am glad I took this route home after a long day teaching photography at West Shore Community College. F11.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 86 mm

Brad and I put on another of our annual photography tips programs at Big Sable Lighthouse this evening and within a half-hour of its conclusion nearly everyone is gone. Brad and his daughter Julia head up to the top of the light to check out the view from the top while I stay below and wait for the sweet light. Here it is! F16.0 at 1/6, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

One of my favorite parts of winter is looking for patterns in the ice along Lake Michigan. I found this ice formation at the Loomis Street Boat Launch around 5:45 this evening, just as the sun was setting. F14.0 at 1/500, ISO 500, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I am drawn to the Pere Marquette Lake side of the sculpture "Reflections" where the side and back lighting provided by its floodlights play beautifully upon the metal sail of the sculpture. I love studying this simple yet amazing sculpture donated by Lee and Joan Schoenherr to the city's waterfront sculpture park. F10.0 at 30.0, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 19 mm

My dad and I have been hoping for another big snowfall to hit Mason County, but so far this winter has been very hit or miss in terms of any snow accumulation. That has forced us to look deeper for good photographic moments. I found this snow, ice and water along the inner North Breakwater in Ludington. F10.0 at 1/5, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The shrill sound of coyotes howling on the opposite side of the river breaks the silence as my oldest son Tad and I appreciate the winter beauty of the Pere Marquette River in the twilight. This view of the meandering river is our reward for trekking by foot and ski to our family cabin, "Daylight In The Swamp," to enjoy a winter getaway. F6.3 at 30.0, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

I can see clearly that this is a picture waiting to be taken. I can't help but chuckle looking at the "face" of these binoculars standing alone on the Ludington waterfront. They remind me of a recent television commercial depicting faces in everyday objects. I like this face. F13.0 at 20.0, ISO 100, 12- 24 mm lens at 24 mm

As I watched my son Ethan crawl over and plaster his face to the window of the front door of our house, I realized what I should shoot for my photo of the day. I photographed my truck sitting in my front yard through the beveled glass of our front door. Thanks for the idea, son! F22.0 at 4.0/ ISO 320, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

On my way to a goodbye gathering for our oldest son Tad, who is returning to duty in the U.S. Army, I spot the perfect picture of the day. This shot is for him and for all of the brave men and women who serve our country in the Armed Forces. The Stars and Stripes fly proudly above the United States Post Office in downtown Ludington. F2.8 at 1/6, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Tonight was the second annual Taste of Mason County at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts. During the event, my dad and I announced the winners of the online photo contest as well. Over 140 art lovers were in attendance and local pianist Craig Avery put his artistic touch on the music. F20.0 at 1/125, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 26 mm

A shark in Ludington? This large "fin" protruding from the icy surface of Ludington Municipal Marina immediately takes me back in time to the movie Jaws. F13.0 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Ethan Arthur Reed, otherwise known as "The Chief," always lights up a room with his infectious smile. I know I am partial because he is my son, but he is one cute kid. Now we just have to get him to sleep for more than two hours at a time! F8.0 at 1/40, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

My wife Debbie is busy studying for one of her nursing classes so I decide to take a Sunday drive northeast through the countryside. Forty-five minutes later, near Natahka in the southwest corner of Lake County, I am attracted to a birch tree and rustic wood structure that have beautifully grown old together. F14.0 at 1/80, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

My seventh grade science teacher, Diana Kuras, stopped me in the road today and told me about a giant sunbow over Lake Michigan. I was heading out to Summit Township at the time for a Super Bowl party at our friends Paul and Lisa Cooper's new house. It was the largest, most distinct sunbow I had ever witnessed. F22.0 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

Winter sunrises can occasionally be amazing. Early indications are that this morning's sunrise could be one of those. I quickly set up the camera on the tripod on the deck of our home at Crosswinds. After a few minutes waiting for peak color, presto! F8.0 at 1/6, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I have always loved this clump of trees inside Stearns Park, but I had never taken the time to photograph them. As Julia, Ethan and I were driving around looking for my photo of the day, I noticed the side lighting hitting the trunks of several of the large trees. After a few minutes of looking at the scene, I finally composed a photograph that I liked. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

I have been photographing seagulls on the Ludington waterfront the past few weeks. Today I like the gray-blue sky that makes the falling snow stand out. I just need a cooperative gull to glide past. This one is soaring beautifully. Thank you, bird! F8.0 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Portrait photographers often use this old building near the corner of James and Melendy in Ludington as a backdrop for senior photos. The brickwork, windows, and varying textures lend themselves well to photography. F8.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 35 mm

Triangles of snow-covered ice line a creek near the corner of Meyers and Conrad Road. I am en route to West Shore Community College to teach photography. I am cutting it close on time but I stop to make this picture. I rest easier knowing that I always tell my students the only valid excuse for being late for class is stopping to make a good picture. F7.1 at 1/200, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

When I came out of the gallery tonight the sky in the west looked like it had potential to be spectacular. I checked my phone for the sunset time and knew I had about an hour to kill. Just before six I headed out into the cold. I made this photograph at three minutes after six. It was one of the most colorful sunsets I had ever photographed. F22.0 at 3.0, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm