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Roots reach outward and downward, expanding the feeding and support network for a beech tree on the Michigan State University campus. I find the exposed roots more fascinating than the rest of the tree, which presents for me an attractive but far more familiar appearance. My grandmother taught me at a young age to look for the beauty beneath my feet. F22 at 1/5, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

My neighbor two doors down, Tom Nelson, has this beautiful tree blooming in his front yard. I pulled my truck into the mouth of my driveway, got out, and made this image with my telephoto lens. The light rain and diffused light really added to the atmosphere of this image. Greens, reds, and pinks always pop more in the rain.

The tropical blue waters of Glen Lake never cease to amaze me, especially when viewed from Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The white billowy clouds and gorgeous sunshine made this view even more spectacular than usual. F8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

This is the second day in a row that I have been up at 5:00 A.M. to be in position to photograph the sunrise around 6:15 A.M. It was totally worth it. This photograph was taken in the farm fields on our hunting property along Conrad Road near the Pere Marquette River. Again, I used a huge telephoto lens to isolate the most intense part of the sky. F10.0 at 1/5000, ISO 100, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

I am dedicating this photo to my wife Betsy because she is always commenting on how beautiful a Michigan forest is in the springtime. The forest along Conrad Road near the Pere Marquette River flats is very layered and dense. I loved how the light was hitting the trees in the foreground and then appeared to slowly fade into the background. F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

With this 365 project I have been trying to shoot more atmospheric photographs. This is forcing me to shoot more on foggy days and hazy days. This scene is near the bird lookout on the corner of Conrad Road and Old US 31. F8.0 at 1/160, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I have had my eye on this tree in the Pere Marquette River flats south of Ludington for years. This morning, in the fog, the curved design of the trunk and branches stands out against the soft, muted background. F5.6 at 1/500, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

I have just finished attending the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame banquet, during which one of my heroes, tennis coach Howard Jensen, was inducted. I have not driven a half-mile when I see Mount Epworth silhouetted against the afterglow sky. Sweet. F14.0 at 1/6, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Vern Collins has the most spectacular silver poplar trees in his yard near the corner of Sixth Street and Old US 31. I have always wanted to try making a photograph that could show the beautiful contrast in the silver and green leaves. Today the light and clouds are perfect to showcase the magnificent trees. F3.2 at 1/800, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

My cousin Ryan, my wife Betsy, and I have a standing joke about black and white photography and "only seeing light and shadow." I am chuckling to myself about that as I make this photograph of a large tree inside Stearns Park in Ludington. F11.0 at 0.25, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

One of my favorite activities to do while visiting Mackinac Island is to rent bikes and ride around the seven-mile perimeter of the island. With motor vehicles being prohibited on Mackinac Island, the three options for getting around to sightsee are horse and buggy, bicycles, or good old fashioned walking. F9 at 1/200, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

I have always been impressed with Arch Rock on Mackinac Island. The giant limestone formation was discovered centuries ago by Native Americas who believed it had spiritual powers. F22 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

While my dad and I were giving our free annual photo talk tonight at Big Sable Point Lighthouse at the Ludington State Park, I moved this large piece of driftwood into the parking lot and used it as a teaching tool for the students. My dad and I told them to get twice as close and isolate the interesting parts of different subjects and look for s-curves, repetitive patterns, dynamic angles, and great light. My teaching moment turned into one of my favorite photographs of the entire day for Week 23 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed." F22 at 0.5, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 46mm

It was a dark and stormy night! As I am awaiting photography workshop students for an evening shoot on the Ludington waterfront, I witness two storm fronts collide at the water's edge. The eastbound front appears to win out and the storm heads inland as I shoot. A short time later a tornado was sighted 10 miles eastward. F4.5 at 1/3200, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

I don’t know what kind of strange fungi this is in my front yard, but it is very large and super cool looking. My new yard never ceases to amaze me with all of its fun surprises.

I stand atop a dune at Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Michigan, looking northward into the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. More than 170 acres of rolling, open dunes, wetland, and woods are now accessible to the public for non-motorized recreation as a result of a $19 million land acquisition made through grants and donations to the West Michigan Land Conservancy. F6.3 at 1/6, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Clyde Butcher, famous for his black-and-white photographs of the Florida Everglades, often photographs huge cumulus clouds passing over the wetlands. Though I am standing in an overgrown asparagus field in Michigan, this scene on Conrad Road reminds me of some of Clyde's landscape images that often include a tree connecting land and sky. F13.0 at 1/80, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

I have tried to make a photograph of the grapes up in Bespop’s grape arbor for several years. Either I was too late, or the animals had already eaten them when I have tried before. This year, I was determined. I made almost daily visits to the arbor and finally decided the time was right.

Betsy and I took the kids for a walk at Ludington State Park this morning. While hiking, we noticed a large tree that looked like it was billowing smoke from its trunk. To our amazement, it was just steam. As we continued walking, we saw several trees steaming. Eventually, the forest was filled with steam and sunlight. F4.5 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

Some of my favorite memories growing up were made in our apple orchard. The tire swing, baseball diamond, and the biggest dandelions were there. Let’s not forget the apples. We would eat them right off the tree, or make homemade apple sauce, pie, crisp, or butter. The apples that were too bruised I would pick up for my brother, Kevin, to put out for deer. This apple tree is in my yard, and we love it.