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This willow tree graces the Ludington beach near the entrance to Stearns Park. Often it frames picturesque views of Lake Michigan. On this night, the tree takes center stage, leaving an anchored freighter to play a supporting role.

This scene greeted me on South Lakeshore Drive near my home upon my return from Georgia. It reminds me of the Bible story in Exodus of the burning bush Moses encountered. F8.0 at 1/320, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 135 mm

While on a hike on the Ridge Trail at the Ludington State Park with Betsy, Sean, and the kids, I noticed this graphic scene before me. We often remind our workshop students to remember to turn their cameras vertical and to not just see the world in horizontal photographs.

Exploring Michigan

As I made my personal journey of photographing the Ludington State Park, I relished the opportunity to explore areas of the park that I had never seen before. It seemed that over every dune and behind every pine row there was a whole new world to discover and photograph. I knew when I found this section of dead trees that there was a great picture waiting to be made. I sat on the small sand mound for 10 minutes waiting for the light to hit the trees and give them life again.

Fall Tapestries

A mystic morning greets me. Fog bathes the Buttersville Peninsula outside our Crosswinds home. The scene looks subtly beautiful and makes waking up without our sidekick Beamer momentarily more bearable. Life without your lab is simply not as good. F5.0 at 1/320, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

Falling

A lone tree in a farm field stands out in any season, but especially during the heart of winter. Fields with lone trees are common throughout the Point to Point area. Besides adding beauty, many of them have provided shade for up to a century or more of both farmers and farm animals.

This view from high atop Big Point Sable Lighthouse shows the layers of dunes and forest between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake and reveals the vastness and beauty of the remote northern area of Ludington State Park. Brad and I climbed to the top of the lighthouse on an early November morning and sat in the dark, anxiously awaiting sunrise. The light and atmosphere that appeared was well worth the chilly wait.

This morning I photographed McLaren Lake near Hesperia at sunrise. I loved seeing the sunlight shining through the top of the trees and mixing with the fog.

Finding the Angles

North Peterson Road in Hamlin Township is lined with beautiful forests and fields. I have always loved this section between Decker and Fisher Roads. A blanket of fresh snow accentuated the repetitive patterns of this photograph. F10.0 at 1/25, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Happy Memories

Nature, in transition between fall and winter, presented a rare double feature on a mid-October day near Hamlin Lake. The earliest snows of the season often cling to the trees the best and hang on long enough to still look pretty when I discover them.

My dad taught me a long time ago to look for repetitive patterns. On Tuesday when he and I were driving home from Petoskey, we both spotted this field at the same time. I love how the clouds in the background look like a mountain range. You have to see this photograph large to really appreciate it. F11.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Heaven On Conrad

A tree along the nature trail at West Shore Community College stood out from the others because of the artful pattern of fungus on it.

A leaf shaped like a Gingerbread Man jumped out at me as I was photographing frost-covered leaves between Ludington and Scottville.

We have dedicated Week 9 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed" to our dear friend Carrie Smith Roe. Carrie lost a four-year battle to cancer yesterday, Monday, February 27th, 2012. She is leaving behind three beautiful young children and a loving husband. Carrie was part of Betsy's and my wedding and was a huge fan of my dad's and my photography. Carrie's younger brother, Chris Smith, is my best friend and I made this sunrise photo only a few miles from Chris' house in Lakeview, Michigan.