Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute

It took over an hour for these cows to make their way over towards me. I mooed like a cow and crawled on all fours, but nothing worked to get the cows to come over and surround this old abandoned home. Finally, I got my iPhone out to play some music. Apparently, cows really enjoy Kelly Clarkson. F8 at 1/250, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 22mm

The leaves on this oak tree near Bridgman, Michigan, on the way to Warren Dunes State Park, brought me from 60 miles per hour to zero in seconds. I already had spotted a beautiful backdrop in the form of the giant rolling hills. Now I have the perfect subject to place in front of the wooded hills. F32 at 1/25, ISO 800, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

The blue line around the outside edge of this leaf stood out to me as I was walking through a creek near the corner of Peterson and Fisher roads. Rainy days can be perfect for photographing fall color. F22 at 1.3 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Standing in creeks and swamps can be detrimental to your boots. As I was focusing on making this picture, I did not realize that both of my boots were slowly sinking into some stinky, thick black muck. Luckily my boots were tall and tied on very tightly so they didn't come off as I yanked them out of the mud. It was all worth it for this photograph. F22 at 1 second, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This unexpected view of vines intertwined with the bark of a tree catches my eye along the entrance road to Warren Dunes State Park. I always try to remain alert for the surprise photographic discoveries that are often more fascinating than the expected ones. F22 at 2.5 seconds, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

During my first visit to Warren Dunes State Park one of the first things that catches my eye is this graceful old tree on the beach that somehow remains alive and standing despite much of the sand surrounding its base having been blown away by strong lake winds. F22 at 0.3, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

I am hoping to catch the sun setting over St. Joseph Lighthouse. Clouds change my plan. The sun peeks out beneath the clouds just in time for the Young Flight sculpture at St. Joseph beach to catch the light. I think the sculpture by Gail Mally-Mack and the backdrop by Mother Nature complement each other. F22 at 2.5 seconds, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

In the summertime, hundreds of people would be having fun at Warren Dunes State Park. On this rainy October Tuesday afternoon I am the only person in sight. I enjoy making still-life photographs when everything is so still. F22 at 1/100, ISO 1600, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The soft glow of light following a light rainfall makes a wet rock shine and catch my eye along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Van Buren State Park. Closer investigation reveals this to be a very colorful rock. After getting my camera and tripod set up, I try for 15 minutes to catch a wave just right. Finally, I have what I was looking for. F6.3 at 1/80, ISO 200, 105mm lens at 105mm

Three things in life really get my dad fired up. Skiing the fall line when it is steep and deep, seeing a big buck in the woods while deer hunting, and being on or near Lake Michigan during a huge storm. You can feel the excitement radiating off him in this photo. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

I filled my boots with ice-cold water several times this morning in order to capture this image. Every 10 minutes or so the beach would flood on the north side of the channel in South Haven. This surge was significantly deeper and more powerful than any of the others I experienced in the morning hours. Rest assured Mom, Debbie, and Betsy, I was not actually in any danger shooting this photo, it just appears that way. Remember, cameras do lie! F9 at 1/640, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

I filled my boots with ice-cold water several times this morning in order to capture this image. Every 10 minutes or so the beach would flood on the north side of the channel in South Haven. This surge was significantly deeper and more powerful than any of the others I experienced in the morning hours. Rest assured Mom, Debbie, and Betsy, I was not actually in any danger shooting this photo, it just appears that way. Remember, cameras do lie! F9 at 1/640, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

A wave generated by Superstorm Sandy explodes against the South Haven, Michigan lighthouse. The hurricane turned superstorm brought 50-knot-plus winds all the way from the East Coast to the Great Lakes and churned up 20-foot monster waves in southern Lake Michigan. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

A wave generated by Superstorm Sandy explodes against the South Haven, Michigan lighthouse. The hurricane turned superstorm brought 50-knot-plus winds all the way from the East Coast to the Great Lakes and churned up 20-foot monster waves in southern Lake Michigan. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

One of the concepts my dad and I teach in our 20/20 Vision Workshops is "little object in the big world." Today, Jon Debruyn of South Haven, Michigan looked pretty tiny as he kayaked out past the lighthouse in his hometown. To my surprise and that of hundreds of other spectators on the beach, Jon was able to hold his own against the giant 18-foot breaking walls of water on Lake Michigan. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 82mm

One of the concepts my dad and I teach in our 20/20 Vision Workshops is "little object in the big world." Today, Jon Debruyn of South Haven, Michigan looked pretty tiny as he kayaked out past the lighthouse in his hometown. To my surprise and that of hundreds of other spectators on the beach, Jon was able to hold his own against the giant 18-foot breaking walls of water on Lake Michigan. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 82mm

Jon Debruyn ventured out today onto Lake Michigan to battle the 18-foot waves that were smashing into his hometown of South Haven, Michigan. For almost an hour I photographed Jon as he navigated like a professional through the breaking surf. He rolled several times, but it never seemed to faze him. I was impressed to say the least. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

Our number one rule to shooting better photographs is to get "twice as close." Brad stands in Lake Michigan as close as he dares to get to the big waves he is photographing at South Haven, Michigan, during Superstorm Sandy. F5.6 at 1/2000, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

Waves roll into the Grand Haven Channel despite the protection from the north wind provided by the north pier. Meanwhile two Coast Guard self-righting motor lifeboats train in larger waves further offshore. F5 at 1/2000, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

A surfer leans past the point of no return in timing his plunge into the big Lake Michigan waves at the Grand Haven South Pier during Superstorm Sandy. The expert surfer paddled clear of the pier and then caught a big wave to ride back to shore. F4.5 at 1/2000, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm