Miscellaneous Images

Brad can be a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I am not. Parasailing seemed to be just the right combination for a surprise birthday gift to him. To my surprise, I loved it! We had a blast, and definitely want to do it again with the kids!

A piece of Americana, Sleder's historic restaurant/saloon in Traverse City, has long been a stopping point for us. And so it is today. Amidst old stuffed animals on the walls, including a moose you can kiss, we have enjoyed great food and family times so good that the Reeds often seem to be on laughing gas. F10.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Standing in front of this massive B-17 bomber at the Ludington airport tonight made me once again realize the freedoms we enjoy in America came at a very heavy cost. I was gripped with emotion as I saw the American flag flying behind this plane as the God beams rose up from the sunset. I wish I could hear every detail of every mission this Yankee Lady flew during World War II. She would tell us that "Freedom Is Not Free!" F10 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 32mm

The sight of American Flags lining the front porch of the historic Epworth Hotel on the Lake Michigan shoreline north of Ludington always makes me pause and appreciate being an American. I have come here on the eve of the Fourth of July to photograph our nation's colors flying on the classic 1894 wooden structure because the scene always somehow reminds me of our American heritage. F7.1 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

I am partial to the B-24 "Liberator" bombers from World War II because my grandpa, Bud Reed, was a pilot on many B-24 bombing missions. However, after seeing this B-17 "Flying Fortress" in person tonight, I have to admit that the B-17 is a much prettier aircraft than the B-24. The B-24 was larger and could carry a heavier payload of bombs, but its lines are not nearly as graceful as the B-17. F8 at 1/200, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 14mm

Appropriately, one of the most famous American military aircraft of all time, the B-17 Flying Fortress, passes overhead while I am photographing American Flags at a historic hotel on the Lake Michigan shoreline. I have less than 15 seconds to change shooting gears and make this shot of the World War II bomber. F8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

My 14-month-old son Ethan allowed me to borrow his toy chicken to make this photograph in our backyard. If you look really closely you will see a chicken sitting on a nest inside the stump. We had to put some humor in the 365 Project! F22.0 at 6.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 26 mm

My dad, Bud Reed, flew a Stearman airplane like this during pilot training in World War II so I am especially anxious to get an in-flight photograph of the open-cockpit biplane during its appearance in Ludington to celebrate the Fourth of July. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 100, 500mm lens at 500mm

My cousins, Jeff and Sara Tow, have been training for several months to make the 50-mile swim together across Lake Michigan in August. They have started a non-profit organization called "Through the Blue" to help raise awareness about post-partum depression, from which many men and women suffer. Find out more about their story at www.ThroughTheBlue.org F4.5 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 17mm

I have played many different sports throughout my life and I believe swimming is the most demanding sport I have experienced. Swimming a few hundred meters in a pool is a ton of work. Now imagine swimming 50 miles in Lake Michigan without touching a boat or the bottom the entire time! My cousins, Jeff and Sara Tow, are going to attempt that amazing feat in August. F4.5 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 17mm

When my Grandma Reed died last year, each family got to pick out one of her large Santa dolls. I leave this Santa out all year for us to enjoy and to remember all the wonderful Christmas gatherings at my Grandpa and Grandma Reed’s house. I used my macro lens and made this close-up image tonight.

Family times around a bonfire are one of the best Michigan summertime traditions. Residents of Crosswinds at Ludington relax around the fire after taking in a Lake Michigan sunset. F4 at 1/30, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Displaying their pride in Indian traditions and in being Americans and Michiganders, Indians take part in the Native American Pow Wow at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. The public pow wow was presented by the local Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. F8 at 1/500, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Native American Todd Brewer showcases his traditional Indian attire and his dancing skills at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. Brewer works in Northern Michigan as a paramedic and fireman. I admire his devotion to his heritage as well as his dedication to helping others in times of need. F10 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

One of the features I enjoy at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City is the booths featuring Michigan cherry products. The sight of these sweet and tart cherries at the Cherry Connection, Edmondson Orchards booth is making my wife and me very hungry as we make this picture. Summer in Michigan is never complete for us without eating Michigan sweet cherries and cherry pie. These sweet and tart cherries were grown on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City. F13 at 1/60, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

I am looking through my viewfinder at one of the most color-rich scenes I have ever seen as Native American children dance toward me at the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. I love that these children are learning to carry on the traditions of their ancestors. F10 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 120mm

The Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown Pentwater, Michigan was built in 1867. For years I have tried to make a photograph of the church that showed its grandeur and beauty, but was never satisfied with the results until today. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Ludington High School junior Boyd Meeker looks downfield as a Muskegon Orchard View player sets his eyes on the ball. The Orioles played very well tonight, but they could not stop Orchard View's running game. F5.6 at 1/250, ISO 2500, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

Patrick Seward made my day today when he showed up at the gallery this morning and asked me if I wanted to drive his in-laws' 1965 Mustang fastback. I jumped at the chance. We drove along M-116 to Ludington State Park and back. It was awesome! F13.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

My dad and I golfed today in the local chamber of commerce golf outing at Lincoln Hills Golf Club. Neither of us is able to golf often, but we seem to always laugh a lot when we do. I think other people laugh at us too. You can't take yourself too seriously in life! F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm