Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute

Flowering bull thistle grabs my attention before its sharp, prickly leaves and stems can tear into my legs as I walk through a swamp. I find it fascinating that something so beautiful in nature can so quickly cause harm to a person or animal. F5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

The word swamp does not have a good connotation for a lot of people. But those who venture into one of Michigan's many swamps and marshes have the opportunity to discover plenty of beauty. This swamp bling catches dew, sunlight, and my eye. F6.3 at 1/125, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

This morning I have headed for the marshlands of Northern Michigan to see what I can find blooming. In a meadow at the edge of a marsh near the Pere Marquette River I spot goldenrod and then see a lone butterfly land on one of the flowers. I quickly and quietly approach to get as close as my large telephoto lens will focus to maximize impact and minimize depth of field. F5 at 1/500, ISO 200, 300mm lens at 300mm

Nothing brightens my photographic day more than finding sunflowers in the Michigan countryside. We got tipped off about a stand of sunflowers growing at the Stakenas farm on US31 north of Scottville. The afternoon backlighting gives the sunflowers translucent brilliance and definition. F8 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Warren Weaver finishes cutting another row of hay with his giant John Deere chopper on an August afternoon. The Stakenas farm is one of the biggest farming operations in West Michigan. The Stakenas family has been farming their land north of Scottville, Michigan for several generations. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

While taking back roads up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore tonight, we drove by this old McCormick-Deering tractor. I had my dad turn the Suburban around so I could hop out and make this photograph. Both the tractor and the massive old maple tree are timeless beauties. I wonder which one is older? F10 at 1/125, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Local knowledge and connections are invaluable when it comes to outdoor photography. One of the Stakenas boys from Scottville passed word onto us that they had some beautiful sunflowers growing on their land across the road from their farm on US31. Luckily for us, the first attempt turned out great because of the gorgeous light hitting the sunflowers. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 840mm

As my dad sat in the sunshine in front of a beautiful field of really short sunflowers, I couldn't resist calling his name to get him to look at my camera for this photograph. I was at least 40 yards away from him when I made this image, but my super long telephoto lens brought him up close and personal while blurring the sunflowers in the background. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 840mm

Other visitors and I savor the stillness and soft glow of an August evening on Sleeping Bear Bay. This spot near the old Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station in Glen Haven is one of my favorite locations in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. F5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

By stopping down my telephoto lens to an aperture of F22, I was able to get great depth of focus for this scene along the shores of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Northern Michigan. Having such a small hole in my lens for light to pass through and shooting at a low ISO of 100 allowed me to have a longer shutter speed of 1/10 of a second. It is amazing how fast water can move in 1/10 of a second. F22 at 1/10, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

Much of the shoreline up by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is covered with smooth, colorful rocks. I enjoy watching the crystal clear fresh water of Lake Michigan dance over the array of colors and shapes created by the rocks below the surface. F9 at 1/320, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 170mm

Before making the five mile round trip hike to photograph a remote area of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, I had grand visions of encountering a world-class multi-colored Lake Michigan sunset that would paint the dunes, sky, and water in neon colors. Unfortunately, we did not have a such a sunset tonight. But the long hike was worth it for this photograph, which was made in a soft, subtle light. F8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

Before making the five mile round trip hike to photograph a remote area of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, I had grand visions of encountering a world-class multi-colored Lake Michigan sunset that would paint the dunes, sky, and water in neon colors. Unfortunately, we did not have a such a sunset tonight. But the long hike was worth it for this photograph, which was made in a soft, subtle light. F8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

Timing in photography is everything. Three weeks earlier on a Wednesday this farm field near Yuba, Michigan, northeast of Traverse City was filled with sunflowers in full bloom. I made a good image that day but really wanted to return during one of our Tuesdays Project shoots. Today, my son Brad and I return to find only a handful of sunflowers still in bloom. We make the most of the late bloomers. F18 at 1/500, ISO 800, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

With the bright sun overhead, I positioned myself so that I could photograph the sunlight coming through this beautiful little sunflower, while still having the farm and clouds in the background. This photograph makes me feel warm and happy. F22 at 1/250, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

I have driven by this barn a hundred times on US31 north of Traverse City, but never stopped to make photographs of it. With today's beautiful clouds and fall-like quality of the light, I knew it would be worth my time to stop and get my camera out. I am so glad that I took the time to make this photograph. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 20mm

Did you know that Michigan has more horses than almost any state in the Union? These particular riders and horses were photographed on US31 on the way into Traverse City, Michigan. They are actually part of a giant iron gate at the entrance of the Walton horse ranch. Cameras do lie! F8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 46mm

One of the most unusual looking Michigan farm animals I have ever seen poses statuesquely atop a hill as Brad and I are driving down a country road northeast of Elk Rapids, Michigan. The stout Boer goat's body looks big enough to be a calf or small pony but the long ears let us know it is indeed a goat. I can't resist making this image to share with our "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute" followers. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Today is shaping up to be a good day to see the unusual. This unexpected view greeted me at the south end of Torch Lake. I wonder if the boathouse doors were painted in place or painted and then erected. Either way, the paintings and their reflections look fascinating. F7.1 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 185mm

This was a very curious little female mallard duck enjoying today's sunshine on Torch Lake. She kept swimming right up to me as if she were looking for a friend to play with. I think people must feed her treats because she seemed annoyed that I didn't give her any of my protein bar. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm