Winter

North Peterson Road in Hamlin Township is lined with beautiful forests and fields. I have always loved this section between Decker and Fisher Roads. A blanket of fresh snow accentuated the repetitive patterns of this photograph. F10.0 at 1/25, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Nikon D810. F22 at 1/60, ISO 400. 60-600mm lens at 60mm. On a tripod without a flash. February 25, 2020 at 5:08pm.

By setting my camera directly on the ice that had built up on the Manistee pier, I could capture the sun dancing on the ripples. Generally, we use tripods, but sometimes the only way to get the immediacy in our photographs, is to improvise.

Even a winter hater would love this day. Snow clung to everything and turned Sauble River at Ludington State Park into a winter paradise.

On our return trip to Ludington after putting on a photography program in Petoskey for the Crooked Tree Art Council, Brad and I cannot resist stopping at Crystal Mountain to get in a few runs on the ski slopes. Plus it gives me the opportunity to capture a moment that shows Brad's intensity and speed while skiing his favorite run

Open water is often difficult for Michigan waterfowl to find during the heart of winter. This mute swan rests on the ice on Lincoln Lake while taking a break from feeding in adjacent open water.

Today was my dad's and my first visit to Point aux Barques Light, near Port Hope, Michigan. The light helps ships avoid the very shallow waters of Lake Huron near Saginaw Bay. I love the birch tree in the foreground and the popcorn-cloud sky as the backdrop for this beautiful piece of Michigan history.

My dad taught me a long time ago to look for repetitive patterns. On Tuesday when he and I were driving home from Petoskey, we both spotted this field at the same time. I love how the clouds in the background look like a mountain range. You have to see this photograph large to really appreciate it. F11.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I was driving around back roads in the eastern part of Mason County, when this scene along Centerline Road made me pull over. There was so much texture in one spot!

A local ice fisherman sits patiently on Lincoln Lake today hoping to catch his limit. My dad had spotted this scene while taking my grandma to a doctor's appointment. Luckily for me, he called on his cell phone to tell me about it. A few minutes later, I made this image.

Looking through my viewfinder, my mind sees a picture-perfect Victorian mansion on the main street of St. Louis, Michigan. My heart, though, keeps seeing visions of one of those collectible ceramic gingerbread-trimmed houses that are part of a ceramic Christmas Village. This looks like a dollhouse for sure. The architecture and pastel trim give the grand home a most uplifting feeling. I feel privileged to see this Gratiot County Historical and Genealogical Society Historic Site for the first time.

If you own a copy of our Tuesdays book, go to the back of the book and read the section on aspherical perspective. I used that technique to make this image. I sat in my truck and watched the waves splash and built a photo in my head. Then I went down to that exact spot and quickly made this image.

Michigan's official bird appears out of place after one of the heaviest snowfalls of the winter. I am thankful for the robin's decision to head north early and to pick such a beautiful perch this morning. My West Shore Community College photography students and I photograph the cool bird for several minutes while it stays frozen in place. F13.0 at 1/160, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

This winter has been one of the mildest winters on record for West Michigan. Normally on January 31st, the channel in Ludington would be frozen. Unfortunately this winter we have had very little snow or ice. Hopefully Jack Frost will reappear soon.

While driving east across the state of Michigan on M46, my dad and I passed through many quaint little farming communities. St. Louis, Michigan was one of our favorites. This mansion, on the corner of M46 and Delaware Street, greets visitors as they approach downtown St. Louis. The home is known as Colonel Elwell's Castle. I couldn't resist making a photo of this castle guardian.

I don't consider myself a great wildlife photographer. When I think of some of the all-time greats, I think of Carl Sams, Jim Brandenburg, and Franz Lanting. I was excited this morning when I watched over twenty bald eagles fight over a couple of dead deer north of Custer. I came home with one photograph I was proud of. F5.6 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

Laughing All The Way

With just seconds remaining in 2014, I click the shutter and capture this image of the New Year's Eve ball drop from the rooftop of Snyder's Shoes in downtown Ludington. The sky was filled with streamers and the crowd was roaring with excitement. What a way to end a great shooting adventure with my dad and the rest of Team Reed.

This project has helped me explore a lot of places I haven’t been in a while. Driving along Tallman Lake tonight is just one example.

A leaf shaped like a Gingerbread Man jumped out at me as I was photographing frost-covered leaves between Ludington and Scottville.