Winter

The Ludington House looks especially pretty today. Owners Kris and Bill Stumpf recently repainted the 1878 lumber era mansion, which they operate as a bed and breakfast. The new color scheme makes the Victorian home look grand. The icicles add a beautiful touch to the painted lady this morning. F11.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 86 mm

My aunt and uncle and his family own this barn on Conrad Road. Ron Soberalski keeps his two large draft horses on their property. On this foggy morning, Ron’s horses were the perfect added ingredients that this scene needed.

Eben Ice Caves

This forest along US31 near the Manistee County and Benzie County line stopped me in my tracks tonight on my way north to photograph the Mackinac Bridge in the dark. The absence of color in this scene is what really excited me. My kids love this image because it reminds them of the movie Frozen. D800, F22 at 0.3, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

My photographer son Brad and I study light as intensely as some people study engineering. We cannot build strong photographs without excellent light quality. Today, May 7, my birthday treat is amazing light and amazing color along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Point Betsie. What a gift Mother Nature has presented!

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

Snowy owls like to visit Mason County between Scottville and Manistee. Driving along US-31, I always try to keep a lookout. Perched upon an old metal fence, this owl was just waiting to be photographed. The subtle color in the sky and weeds added just the right touch.

The wind was whipping along the Lake Michigan shoreline during a vibrant sunset tonight from the north end of Stearns Beach. Using a wide-angle lens, I used the distortion that the lens creates to make a stronger composition.

Kitchitikipi From Boat With Fish

I wanted to photograph Little Sable Point Lighthouse for my photo of the day on Christmas Eve to commemorate the first published photograph my son Brad ever took with a professional grade camera. He made his "Little Sable Christmas Eve" picture on Christmas Eve 1998. F16.0 at 1/10, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 15 mm

Manistee Lighthouse During Workshop

I feel like I am in a sculpted ice tunnel as I make this January image of Point Betsie Lighthouse. I am never disappointed visiting Point Betsie and this morning I am far too exhilarated by this frozen view to think about being cold.

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

Julia, Ethan, and I have only been living in our new house for six weeks and we already have names for several of the deer that live in our yard. This is “Socks” because she has four white feet.

It looks to me like a Michigan gator is about to chomp Lake Michigan this morning at Point Betsie north of Frankfort. You never know what you are going to find on a Great Lakes shoreline. Sometimes I get way too serious and intense about photography. This discovery is definitely brightening and lightening my photo day.

Hamlin Ablaze

Holy cow! This giant Snowysaurus stopped my vehicle in its tracks as I was driving along US 31 near Bear Lake. The eye-popping attraction amuses me every time I pass by Kampvilla RV Park. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The Never Ending Story

A clump of dune grass stands unassailable against winter's onslaught. I love to see the changes that snow brings to subjects that appealed to me in a different way before the snowfall.