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Our friend, Larry VonDrasek, took my dad and me in his new drift boat down the fly-only zone of the Pere Marquette River today so we could photograph the fall color. Larry also let me try my hand at fly-fishing for the first time. I proved to be a professional log catcher.

Relaxing Morning

Ludington State Park

Tonight my eight-year-old daughter, Julia, went on a photography adventure with me. She got to experience climbing on top of the roof of my truck to make an image and she also witnessed first hand what magic light is. As it was lightly raining and the setting sun broke through the clouds, Julia spotted this rainbow. I gave her the camera first. Once she was done making her art, I made this image of Julia's gold.

Weekend Workshop

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

Rock Solid View

I am grateful to have made this picture of one of my favorite barns. Like other vintage wooden barns, this one, on Beaune Road in Hamlin Township, fell victim to the ravages of time and northern Michigan weather and is no longer standing.

Two minutes before I made this image of Sutton's Bay, the shoreline was dark and in the shadows. The magic light of October instantly transformed this scene into a powerful and graphic photograph. I set my ISO to 3200 so that I could "borrow" that light and put it into both the depth of field with the aperture and into the shutter speed so I could freeze the ripples in the water. By freezing the motion in the water, the reflections of the building, boats, and trees became more distinct.

Rushing Toward Superior

Hamlin Lake

Legends Deer Ranch

Underwater at Kitchitkipi

I have photographed this grand old maple tree in one of Pete Conrad’s farm fields on Conrad Road in Amber Township for years. On this October day, I loved the bright yellow foreground provided by the asparagus field, which was turning color along with the magnificent maple and the hardwoods beyond.

After five unsuccessful photo trips to the Schwass farm in Riverton Township, south of Scottville, I thought I was never going to take a good photograph of their winter squash. The challenge was to make a picture that would stir the viewer's emotions the way they had described the experience to me. On the sixth trip, a golden luminescence from the setting sun gave me the feeling they must have had. I was glad for the tips and my perseverance.

I have studied this grand scenic view along Hawley Road between Ludington and Pentwater for years. On this early November morning, I feel like the scene looks as good as it gets.

This is the first photograph I have ever made of this part of Lake Leelanau. I didn't realize until today how large or how beautiful the lake is. Today is proving to be one of the best Wednesdays for photography so far in 2014. D800, F22 at 1/13, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

December Magic