Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute

Rim lighting is always dramatic, especially on frosty mornings in Michigan. With my large telephoto lens, the busy background goes out of focus very quickly making the grasses stand out even more.

Seeing a snowy owl appear through the fog and darkness as the sun rose this morning was an emotional experience for me. My grandma, Linda Scott, always loved snowy owls and every time I see one on television or in print it makes me miss her. This photo is dedicated to her.

Did you know that the beautiful city of Port Huron, Michigan is the maritime capital of the Great Lakes? With seven miles of shoreline along the St. Clair River, hundreds of large transport ships pass by Port Huron every year. In this photograph the Algoma Transport is underway heading south as the Vega Desgagnes is docked at the Dow Chemical plant in Sarnia, Canada. F7.1 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

I have no regrets for shooting abstract photographs that rarely sell. I could sell lighthouse photographs until I am blue in the face, but my real passion with my camera is to photograph the abstract and overlooked parts of the beautiful world around us. This scene was a reflection in the fountain in front of the library on the campus of Michigan State University. F1.8 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 85mm lens at 85mm

Phenomenons are exciting to shoot. Brad and I drove to Little Sable Point Lighthouse to photograph the rare occurrence of the planets Jupiter and Venus close to each other. An unexpected bonus was the rare visibility of lights on the Wisconsin shoreline more than 50 miles away across Lake Michigan.

I have always enjoyed the challenge of building strong, unique compositions utilizing reflections. In order to get the building, red roof, and tower of Au Sable Point Lighthouse to show up in the reflection, I had to lie on my stomach in Lake Superior. Thankfully, it has been a record breaking warm winter, but the water temperature still had my full attention. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Timbers and exposed iron bolts are all that remain of the Mary Jarecki, one of the many ships to founder along the Lake Superior shoreline. The shapes and patterns of the shipwreck fascinate me. F14 at 1/80, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

I could not imagine a softer looking, more exquisite setting in which to photograph a snowy owl. The rising sun was just beginning to light and color the fog when this snowy owl landed on a frost-coated, grassy berm right in front of me. This Northern Michigan winter view felt picture-perfect to me as I carefully focused and exposed the image.

My hat's off to all of the Great Lakes sailors who have to work on Christmas Day and many other holidays. The shipping business on the Great Lakes rarely stops and they all help keep America's economy going day in and day out. Michigan is a better state because of these floating beauties and they make me proud to be a Michigander. F4 at 1/400, ISO 1600, 600mm lens at 600mm

Waves rush ashore at Point Betsie Light Station on a late winter afternoon. Point Betsie is one of Michigan's most distinctive and beautiful lighthouses.

After 10 hours and 250 miles of driving, I return to the spot where I made a much stormier and much less colorful photograph of the Manistee Lighthouse earlier today. The sea and sky couldn't look more different tonight and yet both occasions provided excellent photographic opportunities. Completely different pictures result from shooting the same subject on multiple occasions, even on the same day. The Michigan outdoors can change its appearance faster than a chameleon. F7.1 at 1/100, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

After following this same snowy owl the entire day, I was finally able to sneak close enough to the mystical creature to capture all the intricate details of its feathers and magnificent eyes. The beautiful side lighting made the eyes of this snowy owl look even more dramatic and powerful.

Trees have grown up to block most of the view from the water of McGulpins Point Light, but a five-minute drive from the Shepler's ferry dock in Mackinaw City puts me face to face with the charming brick structure. F5 at 1/800, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 17mm

Point Betsie Light Station looks brand new following an exterior restoration project. The interior of the lighthouse is also being restored but on this bright winter afternoon I am delighted to see the outside looking so good.

Where in the world was this photograph taken? It was actually captured at the elbow of the breakwall in Ludington. I set my camera just a few inches above the surface of Lake Michigan and used a super wide-angle lens to make the rocks lining the pier look like massive cliffs. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

Where in the world was this photograph taken? It was actually captured at the elbow of the breakwall in Ludington. I set my camera just a few inches above the surface of Lake Michigan and used a super wide-angle lens to make the rocks lining the pier look like massive cliffs. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

After following this same snowy owl the entire day, I was finally able to sneak close enough to the mystical creature to capture all the intricate details of its feathers and magnificent eyes. The beautiful side lighting made the eyes of this snowy owl look even more dramatic and powerful.

Only cormorants live on Gray's Reef Light anymore. The unmanned lighthouse marks one of the most treacherous shoals in Northern Lake Michigan. I like the understated yet carefully detailed design of the 1936 structure. F6.3 at 1/800, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

If you look closely at this photo, you can see a tiny portion of the light blue sky showing through the other end of this giant rolling Lake Michigan wave. The wave made a complete barrel and took me with it. It was a ride that I can't wait to take again with my camera. Next time, I hope to have the Ludington Lighthouse show up in the opening of the barrel wave. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Using a shutter speed of only 1/200 of a second with a 600mm telephoto lens allowed me to partially freeze the body of the snowy owl, yet still show the movement of his wings. However, if this scene unfolded in front of me again, I would shoot it at 1/320 of a second in order to have the owl's face a bit sharper. Experience is the best teacher.