Abstract

Water and foam swirl together on the Sable River to form a beautiful sea horse.

The few secluded areas of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes strongly resemble whispering desert hills.

A compelling aspect of visual art is that different people may look at the same image and see different things. While I was composing this photograph, I noticed that the rocks, seaweed, and water resembled the face of an old man. I named this photograph with the hope that my viewers would enjoy the same illusion.

The howling winds off Lake Michigan and the bitter cold temperatures have turned the peaks of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes into a cavernous landscape. I lay on my stomach and got very close to a sculpted sand cave in order to lose the size perspective.

I love black and white photography. Today's bright overcast light, along with the varying tones of the sand, ice, and snow make for stunning images. I love how this sand formation looks like it could be part of the Grand Canyon.

I have always enjoyed taking photographs that may not feature identifiable subjects but show the beautiful colors and patterns that light creates on water. This photograph was taken on the Lake Michigan shoreline at sunset and is one of my favorites.

As I was standing at the water's edge of Lake Michigan at the Ludington State Park with a workshop student, I saw one single leaf wash ashore. I quickly grabbed my camera and made this image. A moment later, a wave came and took the leaf back to sea. Nikon D800. F5.6 at 1/50, ISO 3200. 14-24mm lens at 24mm. Handheld without a flash. October 14, 2017 at 7:06pm.

As I was standing at the water's edge of Lake Michigan at the Ludington State Park with a workshop student, I saw one single leaf wash ashore. I quickly grabbed my camera and made this image. A moment later, a wave came and took the leaf back to sea.

Sometimes the simplest pictures are the best. At first I found myself looking and hoping for the presence of a duck or other added ingredient to this scene. The more I look, the more I see and appreciate the understated beauty of this stretch of the Pere Marquette River. F22.0 at 1/6, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

This 365 project presents many challenges. Among them is being limited to selecting just one image per day. I photographed this same snow-laden dock along the Pere Marquette River a couple days ago but opted for a different image as my final selection for that day. I am so pleased it looks just as intriguing to me this morning. F22.0 at 0.6, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Except for four years of college in Grand Rapids, I have lived in Ludington all my life. In that time, I have always been intrigued with the old Thompson Cabinet Company building near Pere Marquette Lake. I was pleasantly surprised to find this American flag hanging in the window today. F10.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 95 mm

Photographing Michigan commercial fishing operations has long been one of my photographic muses. Today I am struck with how the light is coming through a gill net wound on a reel at historic Fish Town in Leland.

 While shooting the sunset out at the Ludington State Park, I was disappointed at the lack of color in the sky. The water however, was radiant and beautiful. I knew that I had to act quickly before the color and light disappeared. I thought about what I needed to do, changed lenses, and got off three shots before it had faded away and the water went back to normal. While I typically shoot the “grand scenic” type images, it paid off to step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself. I came out with an image that I absolutely love!

Turning your camera into a paintbrush is as simple as "painting" across a subject with your camera during a long exposure. The results are often both impressionistic and surprising. During one of our photography workshops I demonstrated how to "paint" some overturned kayaks stacked together along Hamlin Lake. I liked the results more than I expected.

Christmas lights blowing in the wind at Rachel's house. Nikon D810. F7.1 at 1/10, ISO 6400. 70-200mm lens at 105mm. On a tripod without a flash. January 12, 2020 at 8:20pm.

My dad and I are fortunate that our gallery customers give us hints that help us capture some of our best photographs at the Ludington State Park. Last fall, a traveling nurse from the Ludington hospital stopped in the gallery and told me about a flaming red and orange tree she had seen the day before on the Ridge Trail at the park. With her detailed directions, I was able to easily spot the tree and was lucky enough to walk away with a smile on my face.

My great-aunt, Carol Wright, died unexpectedly this week. She was a very classy lady and a lot of fun to be around. After her funeral was over, I used my iPhone to take a close up of the window at the funeral home. My aunt Carol loved bright colors and she would have loved this photograph. F2.8 at 1/430, ISO 70, iPhone camera

A Northwester churns up Lake Michigan, turning the lakeshore dunes into a sea of blowing snow. February days like this one make most people long for spring. I never want to miss a good Northwester any time of year.

Like a lightning bolt, the Lake Michigan shoreline looks electric as the setting sun hits the wave-washed sand.

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed