Aerial

Aerial Photos Crosswinds Full Frame

High Above Pentwater

Aerial Photos

With the snow, ice, sunshine, and haze, this aerial photograph of Ludington looks like the old painting of the Ludington harbor that has hung in the local restaurant, The Grand, on Rath Avenue for decades. I have always loved that painting and now I have created my own modern version with a camera.

My dad and I have been trying all winter to take aerial photographs of Hamlin Lake for "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed" but we have had so little snow this year it was never worth our time or money. Our luck finally changed this Tuesday when Dave Johnson from Mason County Aviation took me up in his plane and I captured this photo of Hamlin Lake covered in ice.

The sand dunes at Big Point Sable were formed several thousand years ago. Wind and water have been changing them ever since. I took this aerial photograph more than 20 years ago, when rising Lake Michigan water levels were threatening to wash Big Point Sable Lighthouse away. Most of the ponds visible between dunes in this scene were dry when I last explored this region.

As I hung out the open window of a small airplane this morning over Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park, I was struck by how cool the shadow of the lighthouse was. The shadow reminded me of learning about sun dials in elementary school.

I have spent a lot of time photographing and exploring all of the bayous on Hamlin Lake at ground level, but it is so cool to see the South Bayou from the air. Dave Johnson, from Mason County Aviation, took me up in his airplane today so I could get some new aerial photographs of Hamlin Lake.

Of all of the bayous on Hamlin Lake, I have spent the most time on the Middle Bayou. My grandma, Linda Scott, and her husband Scotty had a restaurant and home on the Middle Bayou. The restaurant, Wren's Roost, burned down before I was born, but she still had her home there for several more years. My mom, dad, and older brother Tad used to live on the Middle Bayou as well, but moved into town when they found out I was on the way.

From an airplane, you quickly realize how large Hamlin Lake's North Bayou is even though from the ground, it doesn't seem very large. That may be because it is so shallow and full of stumps and has very little public access. I really appreciate its more rustic, natural, and undeveloped look and feel.

Today was the first time I have been able to fly fairly low over my family's hunting property on the Pere Marquette River near Ludington. With the fresh snow on the ground and the mid-morning sunlight, I love how the shadows of the trees give this photo such a three dimensional feel. I hope to make this same composition in the spring, summer, and fall as well.

Aerial Photos

I have never had the pleasure of going to North Manitou Island, but enjoy viewing if from land when I am near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Today, I got to experience the island from over 11,500 feet above sea level. What a view! F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 14mm lens at 14mm

From over 11,500 feet above sea level, it is easy to see why the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was just voted the most beautiful place in America. I love how the clouds were in just the right spots in this photograph to add to the composition. My ace pilot, Ryan Johnson, dipped the plane at the perfect angle so I was able to get the wing out of the top of the image and the wheel out of the bottom. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 14mm lens at 14mm

When I was flying 11,500 feet above Crystal Lake earlier today, I chuckled when I noticed that the lake is a similar shape to a bottle of syrup. Do you see it? F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 14mm lens at 14mm

A few years ago, my younger brother Willie, my dad, and I were lucky enough to play 18 holes of golf at Arcadia Bluffs. The world-class golf course sits high above Lake Michigan and is considered by most serious golfers to be the prettiest golf course in Michigan. The restaurant at the clubhouse is also one of the nicest places to eat in Michigan. F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

Today while taking aerial photographs for "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed," I noticed that Pentwater Lake is similar in shape to a sea horse. Pentwater has to be one of the most charming and romantic villages in all of Michigan. F7.1 at 1/800, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 46mm

I never tire of experiencing Ludington from new perspectives. I made this photograph from 11,500 feet above Ludington with a telephoto zoom lens. I hope you and your family and friends find time to come experience everything the Ludington area has to offer. F9 at 1/640, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

I doubt few people have gotten a view like this of the source of Hamlin Lake. Today, I went flying with Dave Johnson from Mason County Aviation to photograph fall color in Mason County. Dave got me into perfect position to shoot the area where the Sable River turns into Upper Hamlin Lake. I would love to live on the farm in the foreground of this photograph. F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

On July 10th of this year for Week 28 of the Tuesdays Project I shot a photo of Mike and Nancy Banninga's "boathouse" home on Upper Hamlin Lake and wrote about the great memories I have of spending time there as a kid. It was fun today seeing it from an airplane as it was surrounded by beautiful fall color. That house has a beautiful view every day of the year. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 200mm