Miscellaneous Images

Generations of families have enjoyed decades of fun and quality time together while camping at one of the three amazing campgrounds in Ludington State Park. Most families have a favorite spot that they try to reserve in January for the coming year. Good food, laughter, and fun stories are often shared around the campfire and great memories are made for all.

"Get it while it's hot" applies in reverse to icicles. The snow and ice decorating the exterior of Scotty's Restaurant keeps drawing me back. Today it looks so chillingly beautiful it demands to be my picture of the day. Could there be better days to make this photograph? Possibly, but I know the January thaw is on its way. F11.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

Having captained Coast Guard boats on Lake Michigan for 30 years, I especially identify with the Mariner's sculpture in Ludington's Waterfront Park. I have the greatest respect for all Great Lakes sailors, including those heading for Wisconsin this evening on the carferry Badger.

"Heavenly Glory” by Todd Reed Victory Trinity Lutheran Church has long been one of my photographic muses. My favorite country church came to mind while I was photographing the aurora borealis over Mount Epworth at Lincoln Lake. Rather than head home after finishing that image, I drove straight to the church a few miles away. I could see the color and rays of the Northern Lights clearly with my naked eye even before shutting off all my vehicle lights. I knew immediately my decision to come here instead of going home was a good one. I was especially pleased that the sanctuary lights had been left on even though no one appeared to be there. While shooting several time exposures to fine tune my composition and exposure, I watched two possums and seven deer cross the road and peacefully pass near me. I wonder if they were aware of the phenomenal sky I felt privileged to be witnessing. Nikon D850. F4, 130 seconds, 800 ISO. 24-70mm lens at 24mm. On a tripod without a flash. October 7, 2024 at 11:36pm.

Thank God for the sunshine. I am blessed this day to have the opportunity to ski to the Reed family cabin on the Pere Marquette River. I am alone. The forest is unbelievably gorgeous. It is so still. I ski slowly to savor everything my eyes can see. Beautiful scenes greet me at every turn in the trail. This is Michigan winter at its best. F16.0 at 1/60, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

The Ludington House looks especially pretty today. Owners Kris and Bill Stumpf recently repainted the 1878 lumber era mansion, which they operate as a bed and breakfast. The new color scheme makes the Victorian home look grand. The icicles add a beautiful touch to the painted lady this morning. F11.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 86 mm

Today is my daughter Julia's fourth birthday. With her new princess crown, fairy wings, and magic wand, Julia is ready to turn her dad into a toad. She not only thinks she is a princess, she knows she is a princess. F2.8 at 1/15, ISO 72, iPhone camera

Holy cow! This giant Snowysaurus stopped my vehicle in its tracks as I was driving along US 31 near Bear Lake. The eye-popping attraction amuses me every time I pass by Kampvilla RV Park. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I always get a thrill out of photographing the moon as it is about to set in the west. On this frosty morning, the moon looks particularly huge and bright.

I had to smile the moment this snowman greeted me with a smile on his face in the alley near our photo gallery this morning. He definitely appears to be enjoying winter. I love winter as much as when I was a child building my first snowman. F3.5 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 86 mm

My son, Brad Reed, is in his element as he photographs one of the most beautiful snowfalls in years in the Manistee National Forest near Baldwin, Michigan. Brad is dressed for success and his camera equipment is built to withstand the elements. This wet snow will be a good field test for his new Nikon D7000 camera.

Our handy man at the Ludington gallery is Mr. Don Klemm. Don is an avid photographer himself. He was so excited about the photo opportunities he visualized when he tore open a big hole in our gallery wall to fix a leaky old pipe. Don insisted I check it out. I am glad I did. F4.0 at 1/50, ISO 500, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Chris "Uber" Raines loves the "peace and solitude" of wintertime fly fishing. "There is something almost magical about standing in the river as the water sweeps past you and the snow is coming down; it's mesmerizing," Raines explains during a brief time out.

It was snowing so hard this morning along the Pere Marquette River that the front of my lens kept getting wet and fogging up. The fogged lens added to the mystique and emotion of this photograph that I made of an Orvis fly rod.

My seven-month-old son Ethan has strikingly blue eyes. I love to photograph him and document how quickly he is growing. He cut his first tooth today! F5.0 at 1/80, ISO 500, 18-50 mm lens at 38 mm

My daughter Julia had her fourth birthday on January 10th. We had a party for her tonight at the Best Western Splash Park in Ludington with family and friends. I think Julia's favorite part of the whole night was blowing out her candles. F2.8 at 1/250, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm at 200 mm

Thousands of people pack around downtown Ludington's main intersection for the second annual New Year's Eve ball drop. This is without a doubt the most incredible manmade event I have ever witnessed in our great community. F4.0 at 0.3, ISO 1600, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

When photographing people outside, the color of their clothing and their placement in the scene are vitally important. My dad's bright blue coat is the only vibrant color in the entire scene so your eye is naturally drawn to it. I also used the rule of thirds and put my dad in the upper left third of the composition.

Over 70 years ago my great-grandpa, Peck Reed, started Ludington Beverage Company. Shortly after the business opened he moved the operation near the corner of Lewis and Loomis Street in downtown Ludington where P.M. Steamers is located today. I loved the magic light hitting the restaurant window this morning. F9.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm