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When my brothers and I were younger we spent a lot of time on the beach at Partridge Point on Lower Hamlin Lake. I returned to that beach tonight for the first time in years hoping for a good sunset. To my excitement, the sunset was spectacular. F9.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

We took country back roads all the way to Lansing today for Week 18 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed." When we were near St. Johns, Michigan, we pulled off the road so I could make this photograph of a lone tree in an immense farm field. I can only imagine how many farmers have pulled their tractors into the shade of this tree for a cool rest on a hot summer day. F11 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

It is always fun shooting with others. Even though we might be a short distance from each other, we compose very unique images. Brad and I drove to Stony Lake today. We spent a good portion of the afternoon exploring woods of trilliums. The landowners are very generous to allow us to photograph these delicate flowers.

I received an urgent call from my son and business partner Brad telling me to hurry to get a shot of one of the most unusually colorful sunsets of the year. I am shooting pictures in my yard at the time so I have to sprint to the top of a nearby dune with my camera, biggest lens and heaviest tripod. I am winded but the tip and the effort pay off. F4.0 at 1/640, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

The rolling pastures, cold mist and fog, and beautiful cattle along Old 127 just north of Lansing reminded me of scenes from several British movies I have seen. After getting into position for making this photograph, I only had to wait three minutes for the cattle to spread out and make a gorgeous pattern in front of me. F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 105mm

From up by the North Concession Stand at Stearns Beach today I used my large telephoto lens and shot down towards the dune grass and Lake Michigan. Telephoto lenses have compression, and they help all the layers of a photograph look closer together than they really are.

Four years ago I took a photograph of my daughter Julia in our front yard holding this same soccer ball in great light. Tonight, I saw similar light hitting the driveway and the idea for this photograph of Ethan came to mind. It was a little harder to pull off this time because Ethan is much more active and aggressive than his sister. F6.3 at 1/200, ISO 800, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The raindrops glistened in the light rain today along Grand River Avenue at one of the many busy entrances to the majestic campus of Michigan State University. I worked hard to micro-compose this photograph so "Class of 1938" was legible. F10 at 1/400, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

When I spotted my American Flag fluttering in the breeze as I look to make a picture of these blossoms, I know I have found my 365 picture of the day. It occurs to me that the beauty of America is one of the reasons so many American veterans have been willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to defend her. F4.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

All primped after taking a bird bath in the Red Cedar River, a female cardinal awaits the arrival of a nearby male cardinal that has been pursuing her on the Michigan State University campus this spring afternoon. F6.3 at 1/1000, ISO 1600, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Mark Scott, who lives at Cherry Hill Farm on Conrad Road next to our hunting property, texted me today saying their cherry tree out front was in full blossom. I waited until the light got lower and headed that way. I am so glad he texted me. It was fun watching the sun light up the barn in the distance and the cherry tree in the foreground.

Lately when my dad and I have to drive someplace, we have been making an effort to go down roads we have never driven. Just south of Fremont, Michigan on a country road, my dad and I found this design made of shingles on the roof of an old barn. It was the best roof art I have ever seen. F11.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 116 mm

A male cardinal tries to pinpoint a nearby female cardinal's "mating call" in a botanical garden at Michigan State University. The alluring call is actually coming from an application on my son Brad's iPhone. F7.1 at 1/800, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I was mowing my lawn today when a slight movement to my left caught my eye. This peering snake had eyes for me. As disgusted as I was, I knew it could make a cool photo for today. I hopped off and grabbed my gear. I gingerly walked towards the area to capture the snake. After I made a couple shots, it slithered away. It was only then that I realized how long it was! I ran quickly away in the opposite direction.

I wonder how many times I walked past iconic Beaumont Tower while earning my B.A. degree in journalism at Michigan State University. I know this; I have always been a visual person and the beauty of the MSU campus made my college years there a lot more enjoyable and less stressful. I continue to find Beaumont Tower and the campus uplifting and inspiring. F9 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 18mm

I recently bought a new firepit for my backyard and tonight was our first time using it. With my camera on a tripod, I made this 30-second exposure. One of the tips we teach our workshop students is that they need to learn to see like their camera sees. My eye could see a lot more details in the shadows than you see in this photograph. But if I exposed to make the fire inside the pit look good, I knew the shadows would look black.

Willow trees are mystical and beautiful. This morning I found this willow tree and its reflection south of Ludington and stood on the roof of my truck to make this photograph. I had to get up high so that the entire reflection showed up in the water. F11.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 46 mm

My grandpa, Bud Reed, and my mom and dad went to Michigan State University and we all bleed "green and white." Today, while making an abstract photograph of the fountain in front of the MSU library, I noticed the water turned a bright green color. I looked up from my camera to see what had caused the color shift, and to my amazement, it was the reflection of Ludington native Kayla Fellow's graduation gown. I coached Kayla in soccer when she was a student at Ludington High School and now she is graduating from college. Where does the time go? F7.1 at 1/60, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Growing up, some of my best memories are in the orchard at our family farm. Whether it was picking apples, playing baseball, or swinging on the tire swing, there was always activity amongst the apple trees. Joshua loves to climb this tree in my backyard, and while watching him one day, I noticed this specific clump of apple blossoms. I knew I had found my photo of the day.

I am 17 minutes late for pizza with the grandkids but I just have to make a picture of these petals in my driveway that had come down with the rain. It takes a few minutes to zero in on the best composition but I think I have it now. Click. F16.0 at 0.6, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm