Summer

I have been known to do crazy things to get a photograph. On this occasion, I was frustrated because I could not position myself to capture this sailboat and its reflection, yet omit the other boats from the scene. I had two options; climb a tree along side of the road, or stand on the roof of my car. My car still has a large dent in the roof.

Wind contorts my face, waves roar and crash just short of the feet of my tripod, sun gleams and dances across the water, clouds paint the sky. I am in my glory. This is as good as it gets for a Lake Michigan photographer. These are the days I dream about and rarely experience. This mid-September day of 2001 on the Ludington waterfront was one of the best moments of my life. My camera recorded it so I and others can experience it again and again.

I don't know who was smiling bigger when the sun finally came out today, this sunflower or me. As the famous National Geographic photographer Sam Abell might say, I was "in the presence of a picture."

Calm water, geese, fog, and a colorful sunrise are common ingredients in outdoor photography. When you combine all four of them in one photograph, you have a recipe for success.

Envious

While hanging out of the window of a small airplane and trying to photograph the Ludington City Beach, I noticed this beautiful speedboat anchored and enjoying the calm water on Lake Michigan. We teach our workshop students to look for scenes like this where there is a small person or object in the big world.

Unique photographs are often right in front of our eyes. Looking closer for pictures opens a new visual world featuring more detailed, stronger views of its parts. On this summer night, the base of the Pentwater South Pierhead Light provided an abstract view of the moon rising.

Every summer, my mom and family rent a cabin near an inlet on Hamlin Lake named Indian Pete Bayou. All year I look forward to spending time with the family around the camp fire and photographing Hamlin Lake. My family and I have witnessed many great sunsets from this particular spot, but this was one of the best.

One of the most impressive aspects of the Shepler's Lighthouse Cruise is the expert lighthouse history narration provided by volunteer members of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association. Dick Moehl and Terry Pepper tell us of the ongoing extensive efforts to restore St. Helena Island Light, its outbuildings and boathouse. They are always looking for more volunteers and donations to assist with the project. F7.1 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

"Heaven On Lincoln” by Todd Reed When the aurora borealis first appeared in the Ludington area Monday night, I quickly decided to make my first stop Lincoln Lake. I am so happy I did. The Northern lights were already visible when I arrived at Cartier Park. Shortly after I got my camera and tripod set up, the lights became more colorful. I made a quick test shot to see if my exposure was on target. It was. By then the colorful lights were dancing and reflecting on the water. I was in Lincoln Lake heaven! Nikon D850. F5.6 at 152 seconds, 800 ISO. 24-70mm lens at 24mm. On a tripod without a flash. 11:36pm on September 18, 2023.

Dreamscape

The rolling hills and seemingly endless rows of fences of the meticulously maintained Waltons horse ranch south of Traverse City, Michigan has always caught my eye. A gorgeous horse and spectacular sky make the view picture perfect on this August Tuesday of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute." F5.6 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Manistee Eminance

The United States Coast Guard motto of Semper Paratus means Always Ready. My dad and I have our trucks packed full of all kinds of clothing, photography gear, and safety equipment, including several hundred feet of high quality rope. Today we put at least 250 feet of that rope to good use in order to make this photograph on Grand Traverse Bay. With my cold-water survival suit on and my underwater camera around my neck, I made my way out to this moored sailboat. My dad was back on shore and tending the other end of the rope. I couldn't have done it without his help.

The brilliantly colored rocks along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Point Betsie Lighthouse make the perfect foreground for our photographs. Today, with several workshop students, we found a storm pool just south of the lighthouse. I lay on my stomach and put my tripod very low to capture the reflection of Point Betsie Lighthouse in the storm pool. The light rain we had a few minutes earlier made all the rocks wet, which in turn made them more colorful.

Calm Night In Pentwater - panoramic

Long since abandoned, the medieval looking Waugoshance Light has endured since 1851, with the help of its iron plates. Its birdcage lantern is a rarity among Michigan's surviving lighthouses. F8 at 1/800, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 165mm

Southwester waves rush at the Ludington South Breakwall while others rebound off them, creating confused seas--a condition sailors like to avoid when the waves get this big. Changing colors faster than a chameleon, this sea and sky would soon become blood red.

Calm Night In Pentwater