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

I have driven past this barn on Fountain Road a thousand times and always wanted to make a good photograph of it, but was never inspired. Today, on another skiing venture to Crystal Mountain, the snow, sunlight and clouds were all I needed to get me out of my truck and shooting. F7.1 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

This scene greeted me on South Lakeshore Drive near my home upon my return from Georgia. It reminds me of the Bible story in Exodus of the burning bush Moses encountered. F8.0 at 1/320, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 135 mm

Muddy snow-filled puddles can be a photographer's dream. I took this photo after work today in the middle of Stearns Park. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 26 mm

Today is one of the worst days ever. I am trying to make a portrait of our beloved lab Beamer, knowing our loyal, loving companion for the past 12 years is living the last day of his life. Cancer is cruel to animals as well as people. F8.0 at 1/640, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

The Michigan State Jazz Band came to the Ludington Area Center for the Arts for the third annual Jazz It Up fundraiser. The music was phenomenal and the band received a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd in the performance hall. F2.8 at 1/25, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

A mystic morning greets me. Fog bathes the Buttersville Peninsula outside our Crosswinds home. The scene looks subtly beautiful and makes waking up without our sidekick Beamer momentarily more bearable. Life without your lab is simply not as good. F5.0 at 1/320, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

Chuck Wagon pizza is one of the main icons of Ludington. I told owner Rick Chapman we couldn't do a 365 Project without including a photograph of Chuck Wagon. Zach Gipe, one of my previous students when I was an elementary school teacher, was eager to throw some dough for my photograph. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

Franz Lanting, one of the greatest wildlife photographers in the world, talks in his amazing photography book Eye to Eye about getting "eye to eye" with animals. That's what I am trying to accomplish while photographing this buffalo in its pasture along South Stiles Road between Ludington and Scottville. F6.3 at 1/125, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

North Peterson Road in Hamlin Township is lined with beautiful forests and fields. I have always loved this section between Decker and Fisher Roads. A blanket of fresh snow accentuated the repetitive patterns of this photograph. F10.0 at 1/25, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

On our return trip to Ludington after putting on a photography program in Petoskey for the Crooked Tree Art Council, Brad and I cannot resist stopping at Crystal Mountain to get in a few runs on the ski slopes. Plus it gives me the opportunity to capture a moment that shows Brad's intensity and speed while skiing his favorite run

My dad taught me a long time ago to look for repetitive patterns. On Tuesday when he and I were driving home from Petoskey, we both spotted this field at the same time. I love how the clouds in the background look like a mountain range. You have to see this photograph large to really appreciate it. F11.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Michigan's official bird appears out of place after one of the heaviest snowfalls of the winter. I am thankful for the robin's decision to head north early and to pick such a beautiful perch this morning. My West Shore Community College photography students and I photograph the cool bird for several minutes while it stays frozen in place. F13.0 at 1/160, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

I don't consider myself a great wildlife photographer. When I think of some of the all-time greats, I think of Carl Sams, Jim Brandenburg, and Franz Lanting. I was excited this morning when I watched over twenty bald eagles fight over a couple of dead deer north of Custer. I came home with one photograph I was proud of. F5.6 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

Earlier today in our gallery we were discussing with a Bass Lake couple how fleeting the peak moments of magic light or atmosphere are when they do appear in front of us. Now as I stand on the Ludington Waterfront along with "The Mariner" a drab winter sunset turns into a momentarily electric afterglow. F22.0 at 4.0, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 145 mm

Tonight we played indoor laser tag at AJ's Family Fun Center in Ludington during Business After Hours. I quickly realized that my photo of the day for the 365 Project was going to be made during one of the laser tag games. When I clicked the shutter, my flash went off and then I zoomed my lens in and out for 10 seconds. F2.8 at 10.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

The Lunde name has been associated with boats and boat building in Ludington for more than a century. I love the simple yet artistic way this sign was painted many years ago on one of the Lunde Boat Co. buildings close to Pere Marquette Lake. F7.1 at 0.5, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Today I was really struggling to find a good photograph. I ended up at the south end of Ferry Street overlooking Pere Marquette Lake. When I got out of my truck I noticed a bright red spot of color in the distance. I used the snow on the ground to isolate the rose hip against a clean contrasting background. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Sometimes possums can look quite homely, but I am thinking this one looks rather cute huddled under a pine tree near Dennis Road eating an apple. I stop quickly and try to capture a good moment. The possum doesn't seem to mind, perhaps thinking I cannot see it. F4.0 at 1/200, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

This is the first photograph I've taken from the inner pier walkway under construction at the Loomis Street Boat Ramp in Ludington harbor. The new walkway will allow local residents, tourists and photographers a closer view of both Ludington outer pier heads all year long. F22.0 at 4.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

A section of the starboard side of the carferry Spartan forms the backdrop for wind-blown dune grass and snow. I was looking for detail shots on a Sunday afternoon drive when this one leaped out at me. F3.5 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm