Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute

Today we took a guided photo tour down the "fly only" zone of the Pere Marquette River near Baldwin. Our guide, Josh Mead, works for the Pere Marquette River Lodge. A few years ago Josh gave up the corporate rat race and became a full time guide and his new office is the Pere Marquette River. I think he is on to something! F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

I used a waterproof housing for my camera to make this unique photograph of the 140-foot USCGC Neah Bay. The Neah Bay is a Coast Guard ice-breaker and has a special low pressure air hull lubrication system which allows it to crush through over 20 inches of ice. F8 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 11mm

Pere Marquette River Lodge fishing guide Drew Johnson uses his skills to precisely cast his line into a trout fishing hole while photographer Bill Dietrich uses his skill to precisely compose and expose fly fishing photographs from Johnson's drift boat. Both are absorbed in their pursuits on a May afternoon on the Pere Marquette. F3.5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

Seeing the Coast Guard Cutter Acacia docked at the Manistee ship museum takes me back to my Coast Guard days when I sailed on the 180-foot buoy tender during one of its end of season buoy runs to take photographs of the ship's winter operations. Crewmembers used shotguns to blast ice off some of the buoys so they could be hooked and lifted aboard. I am glad to see the sturdy ship being preserved and appreciated. F22 at 1/20, ISO 3200, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

After a brisk 30-minute hike to the north end of the Island Trail at the Ludington State Park, I was very relieved to take a rest inside this old warming shelter. My camera bag weighs over 30 pounds and it traps a lot of heat as I walk. The 10-minute rest I took lying on my back almost turned into an hour-long nap. Once the magic light of the golden sunrise appeared though, I was instantly rejuvenated and quickly made this photograph. F8 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

En route from Fremont to Walkerville, Brad and I discover this old house that is slowly but surely returning to the earth. As aged and deteriorated as the structure is, it somehow retains a certain grace and dignity that appeals to both Brad and me.

It would appear that a huff and a puff might blow down this old barn southeast of Walkerville, Michigan. And yet I wonder how many years the wooden structure has leaned eastward without collapsing.

Commercial fishing nets dry in the sun on a warm summer day in Fish Town at Leland, Michigan. I love that commercial fishing on Lake Michigan at Leland continues in much the same manner as a century and more ago. I used to love to photograph similar fishing nets at Ludington. Now I travel to Leland to be able to see and photograph a sight like this. F22 at 1/60, ISO 320, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Looking downstream from the Leland River dam, it is easy to imagine what this fishing village looked like a century ago. The citizens of Leland have gone to great lengths to preserve the historic look of this still active commercial fishing port.

Is this one horse or two? I usually make certain to avoid mergers when I am making a photographic image, but this one is irresistible. While scouting for pictures in Hamlin Township, I spot a horse with incredibly beautiful eyes. As I am preparing to make this shot, a second horse ambles into the frame. I am laughing as I trip the shutter.

After traveling nearly 300 miles today photo hunting on a mostly gray day, experience tells me the sun may peak out as it approaches the horizon. I head to Ludington State Park and take up position on one of the tallest dunes on the shoreline. Sure enough, 20 minutes before sunset, the sun starts finding its way through cloud openings.

Having the flu is never fun, especially when you have to work. Today was the fourth Tuesday of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed" so I had no choice but to get off the couch and try making some strong images. I found this image on a large man-made pond near Muskegon, Michigan. Going through the process of making this photograph actually made me feel better. Photography is often my favorite elixir!

There is something about the crispness of all the blue and white colors one sees looking eastward at Round Lake from downtown Charlevoix at the height of the summer boating season. Charlevoix is one of Michigan's most picturesque and popular boating harbors. F13 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 15mm

Fears of a gray day are quickly dispelled by the dawn's early light and color as I look eastward across Ludington harbor toward the Occidental Chemical Corporation plant. This beats the strongest coffee for waking up an outdoor photographer.

Did you know that according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Ludington is the number one salmon fishing port in Michigan? Tom Postma, the first mate on Sean McDonald's charter fishing boat Katch Me, helps Bethany Rodenbeck reel in a beautiful steelhead. F8 at 1/1600, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Climbing to the top of the dune behind Big Sable Point Lighthouse, I am out of breath but have no time to lose. The clouds and color look nice and a northbound freighter is passing by. I work quickly to fine tune my camera position, set up the tripod, get the horizon line straight and shoot. F3.5 at 1/60, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 16mm

Everyone aboard Sean McDonald's charter fishing boat Katch Me got to enjoy this beautiful sunrise on Lake Michigan today. The anticipation of reeling in a giant king salmon was as electric as the beautiful colors in the sunrise. F9 at 1/2500, ISO 6400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The ice on Pere Marquette Lake is breaking up with the January thaw. While I would prefer a more severe winter to photograph, I can't complain about the view in front of me this morning.

Like pairs dancers, these gulls fly over Lake Michigan in perfect symmetry. I love watching their precision and control. They are amongst nature's most naturally graceful performers.

The late afternoon sun made the Lake Michigan shoreline dance today in South Haven. I enjoyed watching this sailboat catch the wind and dart across the horizon. F22 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 200mm