Water Ripples

Fall Color West Shore

Fall Color West Shore

Earlier this morning we had a hard rainfall that left large puddles along the sides of the road going through Stearns Park in Ludington. With the wind off of Lake Michigan and the sun shining down, the puddles became beautiful reflecting pools. F9.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

My grandpa, Bud Reed, and my mom and dad went to Michigan State University and we all bleed "green and white." Today, while making an abstract photograph of the fountain in front of the MSU library, I noticed the water turned a bright green color. I looked up from my camera to see what had caused the color shift, and to my amazement, it was the reflection of Ludington native Kayla Fellow's graduation gown. I coached Kayla in soccer when she was a student at Ludington High School and now she is graduating from college. Where does the time go? F7.1 at 1/60, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

The outlet to Lake Michigan at Summit Park between Ludington and Pentwater turns to gold before my eyes. I have made the composition I want of the rippling water flowing; all that I need now is for the light to line up with the composition. Jackpot! F22 at 1/6400, ISO 100, 200mm lens at 200mm

The creek at Summit Park tonight was rippling with light and water. I got in the creek and put my camera and tripod close to a few of the more defined ripples and waited for the sunlight make the correct angle with the water. I love how the water acts like a magnifying glass and accentuates the creek bottom. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

I have always been drawn to abstract art and have been inspired to try becoming more abstract with my own photography. This photograph is of Lake Michigan at sunset. I zoomed my lens while exposing. F22.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 80 mm

Last year I had made a similar photograph to this and named it "Liquidity." It was probably my favorite picture I took in 2009. The lighting conditions tonight were very similar to the night I made Liquidity, so I set out to shoot a similar photograph for the 365 Project. I made this photograph at the 5th Avenue Beach in Manistee. F8.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 116 mm

While shooting our book on Ludington State Park in 2007, my dad and I learned that when the light is way too bright or too flat to make strong images then that is the time to try photographing reflections on the water. Tonight the light was flat and dull so I photographed the clouds reflecting in the river from the Sable River Bridge. F2.8 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

As I look onto Platte Lake, it is hard for my eye to distinguish between the grasses and their reflections. I love the way they are intermingled and I work hard to stand in the best spot and trip the shutter at the best instant to make good art out of the illusionary scene. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 120mm

After eating a wonderful dinner at my dad and Debbie’s condo that Debbie had made for us, I walked across the street with my camera gear to try and find a photograph. I was planning on photographing some of the boats in the marina or the Badger, but when I got to the end of the dock and looked down at the water, I knew I had found my image of the day.

Today, Rachel and I and our five kids piled into Rachel’s minivan and headed towards the Upper Peninsula for a long weekend getaway. On the way north, we stopped at Otsego Lake State Park to let the kids run around and so Rachel and I could try to find our photos of the day. The sunlight and breeze were ideal for water ripples and the fall color on the trees was perfectly reflected into the water.

Just after photographing an adult bald eagle with my 600mm lens and a 1.4 extender, I was about to get back into our little Boston Whaler to photo hunt for more eagles when I realized that my next photo was right in front of me. The blue sky, dark trees, and white clouds were dancing on the surface of Hamlin Lake. It is easy to get distracted and stop "seeing" the world around us. I am glad I didn't miss this one. F18 at 1/800, ISO 1600, 600mm lens at 840mm

While sitting in my truck waiting for the rain and snow to subside, I noticed a puddle on M-116 near the First Curve at Ludington State Park that was reflecting the beautiful blue sky and dark storm clouds. I turned the truck off, rolled down the window, and shot this photograph. It made my day brighter. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

We tend to shoot water ripples that are vibrant with color or cloud reflections. This photograph leans towards a darker feel, but I liked the patterns in the water.

The overcast sky appears to be dancing in the reflections on the surface of the Sable River today inside Ludington State Park. Using a telephoto lens I am able to isolate and photograph the prettiest part of the water. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 400, 70-200 mm lens at 190 mm