Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute

A blue spruce tree seems to be reaching for the sun but the sun is nowhere in sight on this foggy morning. I like the way the spruce, being close to me, is distinct while the hardwood tree in the background is softened by the fog. Atmospheric days like today help create layers to images. The key is to be close to the foreground layer. F10 at 1/10, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 450mm

I love this view for more than the beauty of this red pine tree branch on a rainy morning. I appreciate it even more because this tree is one of hundreds my brother and I have watched grow on our land along the Pere Marquette River from seedlings to more than 15 feet high. I find all the trees, just one of the trees or a small part of one a joy to behold. F11 at 1/400, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 450mm

Sometimes it seems a shame to see this classic car rusting away. But then I think about how much I enjoy watching the evolution of it settling into the earth in a small woodlot. The '55 Chevy wagon came with some land our family purchased several years ago. Now it is a photographer's muse. F22 at 0.8, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Raindrops cling to Michigan berries long after it has stopped raining on a November morning in the woods between Ludington and Scottville. A long-abandoned 1955 Chevrolet provides the backdrop. F2.8 at 1/1600, ISO 3200, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

The '55 Chevy this hood ornament is attached to ceased flying down Michigan roadways years ago. The plane and the rest of the classic car remain grounded in a wooded area of our property. F22 at 0.6, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Sometimes this swampy area of our property along the Pere Marquette River is under water. With the unseasonably warm and dry year we have had, this is the driest I have ever seen our swamp. F8 at 1/80, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The roots of this tree, located in the swampy area of our property along the Pere Marquette River, really look like an octopus or some kind of swamp monster. At least this monster is beautiful. F7.1 at 1/100, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

I moved in twice as close on some roots of a giant tree in the swamp along the Pere Marquette River today in order to make this image. I felt that another perspective of this scene might look busy and disorganized, but by being mobile with my camera, I found a way to make order out of chaos. F7.1 at 1/80, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 23mm

Some kind of insect has made hundreds of holes in this downed tree that lies near of the edge of the Pere Marquette River. The subtle colors and patterns in the bark, along with the tiny holes in the wood, grabbed my attention as I walked by. F10 at 1/125, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

A rainy day is perfect for photographing moss and fungus because the green colors really pop. While making this photo, I couldn't decide if the fungus in this scene looked more like little aliens or golf tees. F10 at 1/80, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

A very young pine tree stands proud among more mature pines and hardwoods near the Pere Marquette River. With the much-needed rain we got overnight, I could almost see this little tree growing before my eyes. F20 at 1/60, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

I was shocked to discover this morning that our family property along the Pere Marquette River has a golf green located on it. F7.1 at 1/100, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

Do you see the troll face in this fungus? I didn't see it until after I downloaded the image onto our computer at the gallery. Once you see it, you will always see it. F8 at 1/60, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 34mm

Sometimes I see objects or faces in my photographs before I make the picture and other times I don't notice them until I am working on the images on the computer. How many of you see the monkey face? F7.1 at 1/60, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Who knew that death and decay could be so beautiful? The strive for life in a mature Michigan forest never ceases to amaze me. Ten years ago we harvested several large hardwood trees off of our property and the forest is already quickly regrowing. F9 at 1/80, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

For the evening shoot of Week 47 of "Tuesdays with Todd & Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute" I decided to take another stroll along the Pere Marquette River. With very little wind the river was extremely reflective. Like usual, the reflections were more colorful and vibrant than the actual sky. F9 at 1/250, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Just as darkness is setting in on the woods near our cabin along the Pere Marquette River, the sun appears to have set some trees on fire. I love sitting in the woods and watching day turn to night. I love daylight but I love nightfall as well. F3.2 at 1/500, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

It almost looks to me like a bat is flying in front of the moon as I make this photograph of the full moon setting through a cloud. It is more than an hour before sunrise but already I have found my first picture of Week 48 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute." F4 at 1/500, ISO 3200, 500mm lens at 750mm

I have always wanted to make a photograph of the train bridge in Freesoil, Michigan, but was too lazy. This morning for Week 48 of the Tuesdays Project, it was our first destination. Shake off the dust and get out there with your cameras. Once you are there, don't be afraid to experiment. I zoomed my lens while making this exposure with my camera on the tripod. F22 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

I have never canoed down the Pine River, but I have heard from many experienced canoers that it is one of the best rivers in Michigan for canoeing. I made this atmospheric photograph off the bridge on M37 not far from the M55 intersection. F22 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm