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Brad and I teach our photography students "clouds are your friends." These are some mighty friendly clouds today. They make an ideal backdrop for Round Island Light, which has helped guide vessels through the Straits of Mackinac since 1895. F4.5 at 1/640, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

Looking through the viewfinder of my camera tonight with my 300 mm telephoto lens, I can't believe my eyes. It appears as if the sun is melting into Lake Michigan. The color of the sky this year seems to be more intense than previous years. I wonder if it has to do with the volcano eruption in Iceland earlier in the year. F22.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 300 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 450 mm

The Grand Hotel looks as grand as ever, towering above the southern shore of Mackinac Island. I am determined to come up with a fresh view of the iconic hotel, featuring some of the lilacs in bloom in the hotel's beautifully manicured gardens. F7.1 at 1/400, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

I am thinking I am in the Land of Lilacs as I hike across Mackinac Island en route to makes some images of the Grand Hotel. A horse coach from the Grand Hotel passes by as I pause to smell some lilacs and make an image that makes the flowers appear never ending. Brad and I are finding ourselves in lilac heaven today as we photograph Week 22 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute." Now we know why so many people flock to the island for the annual Lilac Festival in June. F9 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

My cousin Ryan, my wife Betsy, and I have a standing joke about black and white photography and "only seeing light and shadow." I am chuckling to myself about that as I make this photograph of a large tree inside Stearns Park in Ludington. F11.0 at 0.25, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

When my dad spotted these ivy horses and wagon in front of the Grand Hotel, I knew I had to try to make a photograph of them. By getting my camera and tripod low to the ground and close to the horses, I was able to make the horses appear larger than they really were. I micro-composed this photograph to include the fountain in the background and then I waited for the flags to blow into good positions. F11 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Our workshop students tonight are getting a lesson in shooting twice as close. I am demonstrating how shooting part of the Ludington lighthouse can result in fresher, more abstract views. They try it and like it. I try it and also like it. F22.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Time seems to stand still on Mackinac Island. While standing in front of the Little Stone Church on the island today chatting with an old friend of my dad's, a picture perfect horse and buggy came trotting by. All I could think about as I was making this composition was Robert Frost and his beautiful poetry. I will be back in the winter to photograph this same horse and church and that will make all the difference. F11 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 24mm

Somehwere In Time

During our Thursday night workshop tonight I noticed the sun hitting one of these large pieces of limestone. I waited over 30 minutes for the correct angle of sunlight and for a large enough wave to cover the front and backside of the rock. I am not usually a very patient person, but tonight it paid off. F22.0 at 0.6, 100 ISO, 70-200 mm lens at 70 mm

As you float up to the ferry docks on Mackinac Island, you can't help but notice the majestic Sainte Anne Church near the water's edge. This historic church has brought much joy to visitors and locals on Mackinac Island for over a hundred years. F8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

A summer night tradition in Ludington: watch the sunset then head downtown for ice cream. House of Flavors has a long line tonight as usual. Seeing families enjoying ice cream together reminds me of all those summer nights my parents took us to House of Flavors (Park Dairy in those days) during Sunday family outings. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 92 mm

Lilacs seem to be in full bloom everywhere on Mackinac Island on this May day. A canopy of lilacs stretching over the sidewalk at the entrance to an island home provides a vignetted view of historic St. Anne's Church, an island landmark since 1874. F8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The Blu Moon Caf

One of the many beloved features of Mackinac Island is the lilacs that blossom every spring. The island is full of many different colors and varieties of lilacs. The wonderful smell of the flowers helps hide the smell from all of the horses. F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 35mm

My camera catches a fawn in the morning light. I make the shot and move on so that it can continue to browse in peace with its mother along the west shore of Pere Marquette Lake. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

When getting extremely close to a subject with a wide-angle macro lens, you will notice some very obvious distortion, especially near the outside edges of the composition. I loved how this flower and bee on Mackinac Island looked in my viewfinder and I love the final print even more. F4.5 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

After sitting for a Reed family portrait with Sue Brown, I found these daisies in my Uncle Budde and Aunt Sheryl's flower garden. Daisies just have a way of making people smile. F4.5 at 1/100, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

This historic yard gate on Mackinac Island caught my eye as I was passing by it today. I got close to the gate with my wide-angle lens to control the background. When I was making this composition I knew the bright green grass in the background would look better as a black and white photograph. By making the photograph black and white, it also gives it a more historic feel. F10 at 1/125, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 44mm

The 4th of July in Ludington: great family times capped off by a glorious ending. Family and friends are gathered on the Crosswinds beach at the mouth of Ludington harbor for a spectacular Ludington 4th of July fireworks show. But perhaps the best way to celebrate our nation's independence is to think of all those who have fought to preserve it. F8.0 at 25.0, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 20 mm