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We had a dramatic sunset tonight in Ludington. I knew I might get drenched making this image at the end of the North Inner Pier by the green light, but it was worth the risk. Luckily, the storm light appeared and the rain was only a light sprinkle.

Lake Michigan is angry this morning. It looked rough from my house. But now, up close to the waves at the base of the Ludington South Breakwater, I can really sense the power of this Great Lake. F3.2 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

It is a quieter time of year on the waterfront. And while I miss watching a lot of boats plying in and out of the harbor, there is something to be said for the stillness and the simplicity of the view. F4.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 17 mm

Michigan is a state with endless beauty. One of the most beautiful areas in Michigan is Leelanau County. When exploring the northern region of Leelanau County, you may feel like you have traveled back in time. Life seems to move at a slower pace and it is magnificent! F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

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

Using my 60-600mm lens tonight at 600mm, I was able to isolate the colorful, pretty parts of the sky in the camera. Most of the sky was boring and flat looking, but right around the sun it was an intense orange color. We teach our workshop students that you need to learn to see like your camera sees.

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 love the sense of adventure and scale of this image as I compose it in my viewfinder. Brad and I call this kind of shot "the little person in the big world." Lake Michigan is definitely a big world. F7.1 at 1/2000, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 155 mm

My dad knelt down in the warm waters of the Bass Lake Outlet this afternoon as he waited for the defining moment to happen in front of his camera. F7.1 at 1/800, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Looking at sunbathers on an island at the Bass Lake Outlet to Lake Michigan, I find myself wanting to sing a favorite Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton song about "Islands in the Stream." What a special piece of Michigan real estate this spot is! F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

If you look closely, you will see a Lake Michigan surfer riding a wave off of Stearns Beach in downtown Ludington. I had fun watching the few daring surfers today as they worked hard to get into position to catch the perfect wave.

I am running with my large telephoto lens, camera and tripod to get to the Lake Michigan shoreline in time to capture the sun and colorful summer sky. It's just another great ending to another great Great Lakes Day. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

Lake Michigan had an eerie glow over it tonight as I drove through Stearns Park while looking for my photo of the day. As the sun set lower on the horizon, the gold shafts of light became even more apparent. F9.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

After work I made a drive to the Ludington State Park to enjoy the shoreline for a bit. This huge piece of driftwood was a great accent piece and counterpart to the jetty.

I am getting wet making this picture but moving close to these jetties is, I know, vital to making an image that will put the viewer there. The water rushing over the tops of my waterproof shoes is cold and distracting but the image in my viewfinder is also a rush. F4.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

Setting your camera to the "bulb" setting allows you to take very long time exposures. I used my glow-in-the-dark watch to count 90 seconds for this exposure because the sun had set 45 minutes earlier. I also used a rear-sync flash to help brighten the foreground. The end result was a surreal looking shoreline. F22.0 at 90 seconds, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm