Summer

Using our "twice-as-close" rule, I move right in on some lavender flowers to zero in on a bee harvesting nectar and pollinating the flowers in the process. I want to be as close to the bee as my lens will focus so that almost nothing else is sharp in the picture. I want the image to feel like a bee's field of dreams. F3.2 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Steaming past the SS Badger early in the morning is a common occurrence for sport fishermen in Ludington. The Badger makes her return trip to Ludington every summer morning around 6:00 a.m. F5 at 1/200, ISO 6400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

When a storm front sails ashore from Lake Michigan, I not only enjoy shooting the bad side of the storm but the bright side that so often follows. I arrive home on the Lake Michigan shoreline just in time to scamper to my second-story deck to catch the rainbow over the Buttersville Peninsula south of Ludington. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 92mm

I get a sailor's view, from a Shepler's cruise vessel, of one of the two main towers of the Mackinac Bridge rising 552 feet above water level. Another 200 feet-plus of the tower extends below water level to help support one of the longest suspension bridges in the Western Hemisphere. F9 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Michigan is a state with endless beauty. One of the most beautiful areas in Michigan is Leelanau County. When exploring the northern region of Leelanau County, you may feel like you have traveled back in time. Life seems to move at a slower pace and it is magnificent! F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

I have never had the pleasure of going to North Manitou Island, but enjoy viewing if from land when I am near the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Today, I got to experience the island from over 11,500 feet above sea level. What a view! F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 14mm lens at 14mm

From over 11,500 feet above sea level, it is easy to see why the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was just voted the most beautiful place in America. I love how the clouds were in just the right spots in this photograph to add to the composition. My ace pilot, Ryan Johnson, dipped the plane at the perfect angle so I was able to get the wing out of the top of the image and the wheel out of the bottom. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 14mm lens at 14mm

When I was flying 11,500 feet above Crystal Lake earlier today, I chuckled when I noticed that the lake is a similar shape to a bottle of syrup. Do you see it? F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 14mm lens at 14mm

A few years ago, my younger brother Willie, my dad, and I were lucky enough to play 18 holes of golf at Arcadia Bluffs. The world-class golf course sits high above Lake Michigan and is considered by most serious golfers to be the prettiest golf course in Michigan. The restaurant at the clubhouse is also one of the nicest places to eat in Michigan. F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

I love stopping by the pastures of Michigan's highways and byways to observe farm animals. Today I crest a hill on M119 between Cross Village and Harbor Springs and spot dozens of sheep grazing in the early evening light. The rim lighting on their coats makes me want to stop my trusty Suburban as quickly as the brakes will permit. A bird perched on the back of the center sheep is a "Where's Waldo?" bonus. F7.1 at 1/125, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Today while taking aerial photographs for "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed," I noticed that Pentwater Lake is similar in shape to a sea horse. Pentwater has to be one of the most charming and romantic villages in all of Michigan. F7.1 at 1/800, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 46mm

I never tire of experiencing Ludington from new perspectives. I made this photograph from 11,500 feet above Ludington with a telephoto zoom lens. I hope you and your family and friends find time to come experience everything the Ludington area has to offer. F9 at 1/640, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

For the evening shoot of Week 30 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed" I headed to the Western Michigan Fair in Ludington. My first stop was to photograph the truck and tractor pull. I am a huge fan of Chevy and GMC pickups and this one owned by Mike Tomac is about as awesome as it gets. Mike had one of the longest pulls of the night in the Hot Diesel Class. F5 at 1/250, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

For years, this photograph has been living in my head and haunting me. I just hadn't gotten off my butt and made the image. After the truck and tractor pull, I got onto the Pharaoh's Fury ride inside the Midway at the Western Michigan fair. Towards the end of my three-minute gut-dropping ride, I finally figured out the best camera settings and angle to make this picture. It feels good to not be chasing ghosts anymore. F10 at 1/10, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 22mm

For years I have heard from friends that the fireworks at the Western Michigan Fair are as good or better than the Fourth of July fireworks at the Ludington city beach. After experiencing both shows this year, my vote is for the Western Michigan Fair. I love music and it was cool that the fireworks display was timed perfectly to the music being played through the grandstand at the fair grounds. F8 at 2 seconds, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

While Brad is using a wide-angle lens to photograph wake boarder James White, Bass Lake and the famous Three Sisters, I use a telephoto lens to make an up-close and personal image of the 15-year-old daredevil. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Looking at sunbathers on an island at the Bass Lake Outlet to Lake Michigan, I find myself wanting to sing a favorite Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton song about "Islands in the Stream." What a special piece of Michigan real estate this spot is! F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

A beautiful breaking wave comes ashore this afternoon at the Bass Lake Outlet along the Lake Michigan shoreline near Pentwater, Michigan. In the distance a family is enjoying playing in the warm water of the outlet. F8 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Today, while exploring the dam at the Bass Lake Outlet with an underwater housing for my camera, I decided to try shooting from under the water straight up towards the sky. The resulting photograph turned out a lot cooler than I thought it would. I love trying new things with my camera. F13 at 1/2000, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

With an underwater camera housing, I got a unique perspective of the dam at the Bass Lake Outlet. The water coming over the dam felt as warm as a hot tub. I could have stood in the water the entire day. F9 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm