Search

The Ludington North Breakwater was underwater for a short time on April 13, 2018, at the height of one of the largest meteotsunamis ever observed on Lake Michigan in the Ludington area. I photographed the flooded pier (image top left) from the Ludington beach at Stearns Park moments after a fast-moving hail and rain storm swept ashore. Only nine minutes later, I captured the much lower than normal water level (image bottom left) as the flood waters washed back into Lake Michigan. Notice the shallowness of the water and the amount of boulders visible along the edge of the pier. According to NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), two separate meteotsunamis occurred within a short time. GLERL said the meteotsunamis were caused by “short, extreme bursts of wind and pressure.” The Weather Channel reported that thunderstorms trigger most meteotsunamis. Small meteotsunamis are not unusual but destructive ones like this one tend to happen only once every 10 years on average, according to Eric Anderson of the research laboratory

I am one of many visitors and local residents alike gathered on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Leland to watch the sun set over North Manitou Island. Experiences like this are why Michigan is such a special place to live or to visit. F22 at 0.4, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 20mm

Nothing brightens my photographic day more than finding sunflowers in the Michigan countryside. We got tipped off about a stand of sunflowers growing at the Stakenas farm on US31 north of Scottville. The afternoon backlighting gives the sunflowers translucent brilliance and definition. F8 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Local knowledge and connections are invaluable when it comes to outdoor photography. One of the Stakenas boys from Scottville passed word onto us that they had some beautiful sunflowers growing on their land across the road from their farm on US31. Luckily for us, the first attempt turned out great because of the gorgeous light hitting the sunflowers. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 840mm

To end our shoot for Week 34 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed," my dad and I rushed to the shores of Lake Michigan in time to photograph the sunset in Charlevoix. Luckily, we avoided most traffic and construction and were able to get a few shots off before the sun dipped into the lake. F10 at 1/80, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

It has been a long day of traveling, searching for pictures and shooting, but that does not stop me from running to get my camera and tripod set up just in the nick of time to catch the sunset at Charlevoix, Michigan. Charlevoix has long been one of my favorite Michigan places to watch the sun set. F13 at 1/8, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

I have always wanted to make a good photograph of Whalen Lake, the little lake that is east of Baldwin, Michigan. However, I have always been in too much of a rush or the conditions were not right to get out and photograph it. This morning however, my dad and I couldn't resist stopping to photograph the foggy morning sunrise. I am sure hundreds of little lakes across Michigan looked just like this today. F8 at 0.6, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Foggy, warm mornings in the late summer in Michigan are hard for outdoor photographers to resist. You don't have to walk far to find great images. This morning, my dad was on the hunt to create images that captured the essence of a perfect late August morning in Michigan. F5 at 1/640, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

Tonight, the New Presque Isle Lighthouse north of Alpena, Michigan was casting a beautiful shadow of itself on the Earth just east of the tower. I composed this photograph so that the sky was not in the picture because, like my dad always taught me, if it doesn't add to a photograph, it probably detracts. The sky was just a boring blue color with no clouds or detail. By cropping out the sky, I can keep the viewer's eyes on the shadow of the lighthouse. F16 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 44mm

The sunset tonight at the Little Black Creek Outlet at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, Michigan was a great way to end Week 36 of the Tuesdays Project. I waded into the water to get in front of the c-shaped sand bar. This also helped put the reflection of the clouds in just the right spot. F22 at 0.5, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The golden light of the setting sun is showcasing the zigzag pattern Porter Creek is taking this evening. I love the way this outlet changes shape and course as the water finds the path of least resistance to Lake Michigan. It is one of countless magical natural places in the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness. F8 at 1/640, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

As the colors of tonight's sunset changed by the minute, I watched the orange, red, and yellow sunset quickly turn to purple and magenta. Luckily, I was exposing as the purple and magenta started to take over the sky. Experiencing sunsets in Ludington never gets old. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 92mm

A few weeks ago during Week 37 of the Tuesdays Project, my dad and I discovered a public boat ramp on Upper Hamlin Lake off Nurnberg Road. We discussed that it would be an excellent place to photograph a sunrise. There are not a lot of great vantage points in our area to shoot stunning sunrise photos so we were really excited. This morning I knew right where to head first. F22 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 32mm

Cresting a steep hill on US10, I am greeted by an impressive view of the sun setting over the Michigan countryside near Evart. I pull over quickly, grab the camera and tripod and try to make a picture that conveys the beauty of this rural Michigan landscape view. F4.5 at 1/1600, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

October sunrises in Michigan are hard to beat. You often get a mix of fog and intense color on October mornings. This shot was made from the bridge on Jebavy Drive over the Lincoln River. F10 at 0.3, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This morning our assistant manager Rachel Gaudette and I are back at my favorite spot on her family's farm along the banks of the Pere Marquette River near Walhalla, Michigan. To make this image I had to slide on my butt down a steep clay bank. I aimed for a large tree to stop me part way down so as not to slide into the river. Luckily for my camera gear, and me, the tree did the trick. F22 at 1/10, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

I am hoping to catch the sun setting over St. Joseph Lighthouse. Clouds change my plan. The sun peeks out beneath the clouds just in time for the Young Flight sculpture at St. Joseph beach to catch the light. I think the sculpture by Gail Mally-Mack and the backdrop by Mother Nature complement each other. F22 at 2.5 seconds, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

For Week 45 of the Tuesdays Project my dad and I drove down to Monroe, Michigan. Monroe is south of Detroit and is located on the beautiful shoreline of Lake Erie. The sunrise this morning had an atmospheric glow that was subtle, but sweet. F9 at 0.4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

The sun looks to me like it is falling out of the sky this evening. Adding to the illusion, a ship on the horizon appears in part to be floating above Lake Michigan like a mirage due to an atmospheric phenomenon. F22 at 1/13, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 185mm