Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute

Traveling Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City when thousands of cherry trees are in bloom is one of those Michigan experiences that are unforgettable. This spot on M37 is one of many Old Mission locations where motorists can see orchards, rolling hills, and Grand Traverse Bay all at once. For landscape photography lovers like me these scenes provide the opportunity to make "grand scenic" pictures that feature a strong foreground, middleground, and background. F11 at 1/250, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 130mm

A sudden snow squall on an April day diminishes the light falling on Old Mission Lighthouse but gives the scene a painterly feel. Using a telephoto lens and focusing on shoreline grasses instead of the lighthouse beyond gives the historic structure even more of an impressionistic feeling. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

When I was born someone gave me a little white stuffed lamb that I later named Lambo. It was always my favorite. The bright white lamb at Shoup's farm that I photographed today for Week 15 of the Tuesdays Project brings an extra big smile to my face. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

After chasing the rooster that had gotten loose all around the yard at Shoup's farm, I set my focus on this beautiful hen. I loved the contrast between her gorgeous black and white feathers and her bright red face. By getting my 200mm telephoto macro lens right up against the fence of the chicken coop and setting my aperture to F2.8, I was able to make the fence in the foreground totally disappear and the shallow depth of field made the fence in the background very soft and not nearly as distracting. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

I imagine that this old Dodge was the pride of the Motor City back in the 1950s, but after sitting in one place for several years on the Shoup's farm east of Custer, Michigan, Mother Earth has taken its toll on this beauty. I love how it has become one with its surroundings. F6.3 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

My grandparents, Bud and Dorothy Reed, had a house on the Pere Marquette River for 50 years just upstream from where I made this photograph today on the Shoup's property. This was a fresh view for me and it reminded me of all the amazing times the Reed family had at my grandparents' house. The reflections of the clouds in the river are what caught my eye and drew me down the steep bank to the river's edge. F7.1 at 1/200, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

I have driven past this scenic turnout vista along M37 south of Mesick for more than 40 years, admiring the view at 55 miles per hour. Today the light falling on Hodenpyl Pond is exquisite so I stop to make a picture. Timing is everything in outdoor photography. F22 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Hustling from Scottville, Michigan to the Ludington State Park to photograph the sunset, I made a last minute decision to not shoot right along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, and instead, turn down Piney Ridge Road and shoot from a location that my dad discovered during Week 6 of our Tuesdays Project. Once I got on top of the massive dune, I knew I had made the right decision. F11 at 1/13, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

As I expected, as the sun sets on Lake Michigan, sunlight is finally able to break out below the clouds and "paint" the cloud layers with light. This is an example of why Brad and I like to teach our students: "Clouds are your friends." F6.3 at 1/60, ISO 800, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

It always amazes me how mesmerizing it can be to sit and watch a campfire burn. Every flame and fire is different. The same goes for Lake Michigan sunsets. Both a fire and a good sunset warm my soul. F11 at 1/4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

A few years ago my wife Betsy got me hooked on Country Dairy Milk. The dairy is located in New Era, Michigan and they sell the best tasting milk I have ever had. When you visit the dairy you can go to Moo School and also eat in their family restaurant. My favorite part of every visit is the one dollar cup of chocolate milk with free refills. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

A classic red tractor helps give that good old-fashioned, at home on the farm feeling to Country Dairy. The dependable old tractor and grazing cows are among many appealing sights at the New Era dairy, which welcomes visitors with open arms to see and learn about dairy farming. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

Upon our arrival at Country Dairy in New Era, Michigan, Brad and I are immediately attracted to one of the dairy farm's unofficial greeters, Holstein "19445." She is amongst the many attractions at Country Dairy, which range from seeing cows up close and personal, to viewing and learning about real dairy farm operations, including tasting some of the farm's products at their restaurant and farm store. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 35mm

Discovering the woodlands in the Claybanks area of Oceana County carpeted with trillium is for an outdoor photographer like winning the lottery. Brad, our business manager Sarah, and I go our own ways to capture our personal vision of the flower story we want to tell. For my part, I find three trillium flowers that I can place front and center in my composition. Focusing on them while letting the rest of a hillside full of flowers show up more softly in the middleground and background tells the rest of the story without stealing the show from the "stars" in the foreground. F9 at 1/100, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

I select this trillium to stand out from others in its vicinity. I want to convey the feeling of this one flower being surrounded by others, but I want the attention to be only upon this one. Like a golfer selecting the right club, I select the right lens to accomplish the mission

This was the first time I experienced being able to stand in a seemingly endless field of trilliums. It was magical. Even with the frosty nights the last few weeks, this trillium is still looking up. F14 at 1/100, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Lying in the middle of a hilly, curving country road is not a good idea, but it was necessary for this photograph. Luckily Sarah Genson and my dad were my spotters and helped me avoid being run over. I used my largest telephoto lens in order to soften my background and get rid of the "junk" in the rest of the scene. F8 at 1/250, ISO 800, 600mm lens at 840mm

A chipping sparrow chirps away while basking in the morning sun near the top of a pine tree in southern Oceana County. The bird seems as excited as I am that the sun has finally come out on this April day. F4.5 at 1/4000, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm

This chipping sparrow came to say hello to my dad and me today and it sang us the most beautiful little song. The warm sunshine made all three of us feel joyous and in the mood to sing. Unfortunately, nobody wants to ever listen to my dad and me sing. F7.1 at 1/3200, ISO 800, 600mm lens at 840mm

The natural and manmade beauty of downtown Grand Rapids is reflected in the mirrored windows of the Gerald R. Ford Museum. I think Grand Rapids boasts one of the most beautiful downtowns anywhere. Walking through the downtown is, for me, always a visual treat. F5.6 at 1/250, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 120mm