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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

I have always loved this stretch of the driveway into Todd and Brad’s family cabin on the Pere Marquette River. The scenic, tree-covered, curved road is fun to hike on. Tonight, it looked especially charming.

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

The kids and I were camping at “The Point” on the farm. We had a group out for dinner and s’mores. It was a fun night of sharing stories and jokes. As the sun started to set, the ferns and trees lit up. I love this spot on our farm.

Storms seem to be popping up very quickly lately. We were still camping at “The Point” when the wind started to pick up. Everyone pitched in to pack up loose items. I then turned my attention to the clouds passing overhead above the Pere Marquette River.

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

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

The woods on our family farm always brings peace to my heart. Fair preparation was in full force this Thursday evening, and I needed a break from the organizing, planning, and packing. I took a walk down one of our lanes, breathing in the quiet air.

I have watched many storm clouds over the years. I have seen the sky change colors. Never have I ever seen a sky turn purple like tonight. I was so in awe I almost missed the photograph!

Whew! Beef and sheep shows were today at fair. It was a long, hot day. I am so proud of the kids and their hard work! Fair is so quiet this year, with no midway due to COVID-19. With only a handful of campers, it feels like a ghost town. I took a walk with my camera and fell in love with this orange sunset tonight.

The last day of fair is here. The auction was today, and the animals have sold. One last night to soak in the feel of a familiar tradition. I found this spot on the trail between the fairgrounds and the Walmart parking lot. You would never think it would look like this back in that little woods.

A purplish leaf fell to the ground today. I hope it’s not a sign that fall will come early.

I love the feeling of being among tall trees. It is hard to explain the feeling that I get looking up at them towards the sky.

While driving out M-116 along Ludington State Park, I had my eye on the gorgeous sunset over Lake Michigan. When I pulled off the road to shoot the sunset, I noticed the large moon. I got back in my truck and found a tree to put in my photo. I love surprise photographic opportunities like this. F22.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 95 mm

After Rachel and I finished eating a wonderful dinner outside at the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery on Old Mission Peninsula, we grabbed our camera gear and walked to photograph the setting sun over Grand Traverse Bay. We stopped so I could make this image of the sun dancing between the trees and their shadows on the lawn of the restaurant. I love finding unexpected photographs like this one.