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Lunar Launch

Ludington Lunar Sunrise

Supeer Blue Moon

“Worm Moon” by Brad Reed Dubbed the "Worm Moon" by the The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the lunar eclipse early this morning was phenomenal. I captured this blood red moon while standing on my front deck at home in Ludington, Michigan. The sky was clear and the stars were shinning brightly. I had a family of whitetail deer walk super close to me as I was making this image. It was an experience that will not be forgotten! Nikon D850. F6.3, 1/2 a second, ISO 6400. 60-600mm lens at 600mm. On a tripod without a flash. March 14, 2025 at 2:48am.

Most of us are savoring the sunshine this week. As a Michigander, I know the stretch of days where we can see the sun can't last much longer; so I savor the sun this morning as it rises dramatically through a cloud-streaked sky. F2.8 at 1/8000, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Todd Reed

A simple composition can be a strong composition. I liked the framing around the sun by the branches of these trees. You don’t always have to include the entire tree in your image, your brain will complete the missing parts.

I am in position before 6:30 A.M. The moon drops behind streaks of clouds as it sets over Lake Michigan. The pre-sunrise color in the sky is breathtaking. I am in heaven shooting the moon. F5.6 at 0.6, ISO 400, 500 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 700 mm

Turquios Moon

Glorious Ludington

Brad and I both got to witness and photograph the second "Blood Moon" of the year. The earth has eclipsed the full moon on this October morning, blocking direct sunlight. The scattering of the sunlight is causing the red color. I like learning the science behind the "Blood Moon" but it is the resulting art I love.

“Aurora Moon” by Brad Reed Last night at the Ludington State Park, along the shores of Lake Michigan, my daughter Julia and I stood in wonder while watching the Northern Lights dance in the distance. The moon and Venus were perfectly reflected in Lake Michigan as well. You could clearly see the lights with the naked eye, but of course, the camera could capture them much better. Nikon D850. F4, 32 seconds, ISO 800. 14-24mm lens at 24mm. On a tripod at 10:03pm on March 23, 2023.

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 atmosphere in the sky tonight is creating an interesting golden aura around the moon. This is the second time I have seen such a distinct aura this year. I had never noticed them in past years. F4.0 at 1/10, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Early this morning we met our advanced photography workshop students at the McDonald's parking lot in order to carpool to our first shooting location in Pentwater. I couldn't resist getting my 600mm lens out of my truck and laying down in the parking lot to shoot the crescent moon before we headed out. F5.6 at 1/13, ISO 100, 600mm lens at 840mm

After a long day shooting my portion of Week 21 of Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute, I noticed while shooting the sunset afterglow that the crescent moon was high above the Ludington lighthouse. I was tired and hungry. I could have gone home content with the several good images I had already made during my 200-plus miles of Michigan photo hunting travels that special early summer day. However, more than four decades as a photographer had long since proved to me that patience and perseverance are rewarded. I also knew the moon would not be setting at a peak shooting time the next day. I was rewarded with one of my all-time favorite moonset images and an excellent home-cooked meal afterward. Fortunately, my wife doesn’t mind eating late. Living with an outdoor photographer does not lend itself to strict dinnertime schedules.

My son Brad and I teamed up to make this last-time-in-our-lifetimes image of the planet Venus crossing in front of the sun. It would be another 108 years before another Venus solar transit. Brad and I shot this photograph at Big Sable Point Lighthouse at 9:18 p.m. on June 5, 2012 as the sun dropped toward Lake Michigan six minutes prior to sunset. What a phenomenal way to cap off Week 23 of Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute.

I am not a big fan of scary movies, but it occurs to me as the moon rises past an ominous-looking cloud that this would be a perfect shot of the moon to use in a horror show. F4 at 1/160, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm