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The Best Mornings

Today was the first time I have been able to fly fairly low over my family's hunting property on the Pere Marquette River near Ludington. With the fresh snow on the ground and the mid-morning sunlight, I love how the shadows of the trees give this photo such a three dimensional feel. I hope to make this same composition in the spring, summer, and fall as well.

Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Launch

“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.

Whenever I see acorns on the ground it reminds me of the acorn fights I used to get in with my two brothers Tad and Willie and my cousin Ryan. We would spend a few minutes gathering our arsenals, stuffing our pockets with as many acorns as possible. Then the acorn-throwing war was on. Oh, to be a kid again.

Crystal Lake looks to me like a pastel painting on this winter evening as the moon rises shortly before sundown. This "wine shot" view from the southwest shore of the lake looking eastward is a quiet one meant to be savored like good wine.

It is not very often you see cows grazing in a swamp, but if you drive to the corner of Conrad and Meyers Roads in Ludington, you will see several cows enjoying the low lands near the Pere Marquette River. This cow stood still long enough for me to get into position and capture it, its reflection, and the barn all in one photograph. F8.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

I have always had a passion for photographing ice. Today, during a photography workshop, my dad and I helped several students make similar images to this at Point Betsie Lighthouse.

The snow is blowing so hard I am afraid to stop along the highway north of Evart, Michigan to photograph this grand old barn. I pull my trusty four-wheel-drive off the roadway as far as the snowdrifts will allow and wait for a lull in the wind so my camera and I can see the barn. The barn comes and goes like a mirage. I am living the dream as a full-time outdoor/nature photographer. I am loving this winter dream.

This is the first good sunset on a Tuesday that I have gotten to witness since the start of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed." My dad captured two decent sunsets earlier this year, but for the most part the Tuesday sunsets of 2012 have been pretty disappointing. That made me appreciate this sunset even more. I look forward to many more stunning sunsets along Lake Michigan on Tuesdays this year.

Reflections on the hood of my Suburban give me a doubly good view of the sunset afterglow as I see the "USA in my Chevrolet" at Frankfort, Michigan during a winter drive along M22.

Tranquil Beauty

Snowdrops are popping up all over Mason County today. I knew John and Marion Riedl had a great garden last year, so I drove over to their house near the gallery and looked around. John came out and said, "The snowdrops are in the backyard." Thanks for your help, John and Marion! F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 34 mm

Red barns in the snow are hard for photographers to resist. During a blizzard, I drove to a friend's barn because I was certain it would look stunning with the blowing snow. It looked better than I ever imagined.

Do you remember when movie theaters in most small towns in America had beautiful marquees similar to this one? Those times are back in Frankfort, Michigan, where the charming lakeshore community's movie theater has not only been kept alive but both its interior and exterior have been restored. It seems fitting that a black and white silent picture is being featured at the beautiful old theater.

The Bright Side

Whispering Birch

River Birch trees

The second time is the charm. Two weeks ago I noticed this heart-shaped tree and barn along US10 between Walhalla and Custer. The view caused me to stop and make an image I liked a lot. But now, two weeks later while motoring back home from a long day of shooting pictures across the state, the same scene is in front of me with light and atmosphere to die for. Brad and I like to tell our photography students 90 percent of a good picture is about the light and/or atmosphere. I am witnessing the proof of that.