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Smoky Photos & Musings

5/20/2014

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park calls to me in multiple ways. Its song can be heard and seen in the water, the trees, the multitude of wildflowers, the animals, the vistas and even the solitude if you are willing to work for it. (The work may involve a hike, a long drive on a seldom-used road or waking early when most everyone is sleeping.) My favorite times to visit are fall and spring, but the trip is rewarding any time of year. I went there a few weeks ago, as always, in search of that perfect photograph. Since my time was limited, I concentrated on the main road over the mountains (421), Cades Cove and White Oaks Sink.

Here are a few photos captured there.

Wildflowers are a strong draw to the Smokies in the spring. These yellow trilliums and fire pinks posed nicely together. They were hanging out together on the Chestnut Top Trail just outside Townsend.

Crested Dwarf Iris in always beautiful and the fresh raindrops seem to add magic to these already lovey blooms. This photo was captured on the Tremont Road.

The combination of blooming dogwood and cascades can take your breath away. The look and sound of the rushing water give strong movement while the dogwood adds a peaceful element to the scene. My goal was to capture this feeling.

This fern frond is in your face with a personality that screams, “Look at me!” It found me as I walked the path to White Oaks Sink.

The Gregg-Cable house viewed against a backdrop of morning fog and trees was an image asking to be photographed and I obliged. The flowering dogwood tree stands proudly beside the home in which Becky Cable died back in 1940 before it was moved to its present location.

Green is my favorite color. It seems so pure and represents life to me so I couldn’t pass up this leaf bathed in water droplets.

This delicate flower has at least a couple of common names: miterwort and bishop’s cap. The first time I saw it through a hand lens, I felt like I had discovered it for the first time. It made such an impression on me that I remember the exact location and the awe I felt as if it were yesterday. The individual blooms look like tiny snowflakes. I have attempted to capture this beauty multiple times over a number of years. This is my best attempt thus far so I am sharing this work in process.

Columbine, what more needs to be said? The unique shape and the glorious color take my breath away. Even the name is lovely. Don, thank you for sharing your take on how to photograph this gem. *

*We stayed at Mountaineer Campground in Townsend. Don and Carol Curry are great hosts. They both enjoy photography and sell their best photos in the campground office and on line. Don gave me some helpful hints about photographing columbine. Check out their website at http://www.wildlifetrailphotography.com

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Entering Photography Contests

4/30/2014

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From time to time, I enter a local photography contest. It is a valuable and humbling exercise for me. It forces me to edit a few photos making sure they are ready to print. Then comes the printing. It is easier said than done. I constantly have to remind myself that the prints will appear darker than the screen versions. The final step is framing and attaching wire for hanging.

But wait, I omitted the most difficult step and it comes before editing and after it too! This most important and daunting step is choosing which photographs to enter into a contest. I always choose several of my favorites, and then eliminate most of them in a slow painful process. The pain comes when I discover that a photo that I though was special doesn’t make the grade. I remember how difficult it was to get to the location or how many times I went back to get the light just right. It could be any of a long list of reasons why I worked hard to get shot and then it doesn’t meet my expectations. It is frustrating. If I took extreme measures to get the shot, then it should be a good one, right? Not necessarily! So I have to omit some right away. Then there are others that look good, but after editing, they just don’t make the cut. Sometimes I print a photo before I realize that it just isn’t as good as I had hoped. Finally I have the photos I want to enter. It could be one photo or up to eight based on contest guidelines and the photos I have captured.

I recently entered the Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival in my county. I entered 2 in the category called “computer art”. I entered two in the “black & white” category and 4 “color” photographs. The results were surprising. My photographs that I expected to be rated well were not the ones that received recognition. This was not the first time this has happened. It is not a reflection of the judge’s qualifications. He is an expert photographer with excellent credentials. Apparently, I just can’t be objective when judging my photographs. In the past, friends have voiced similar reactions so I am no alone in this quandary. Having said all that, I decided to let you voice you opinion on which you would choose.

Which would you choose, White Oak Sinks or Beauty Lies Within?

Yin Yang or Password Protected?

Which color photography would you choose?

Hints:
I received an honorable mention in Computer Art, first place in Black & White Photography and second place in Color Photography. Which would choose?

Updated answer:
I received an honorable mention for "Beauty Lies Within" in the Computer Arts category. I earned first place in Black and White Photography for "Password Protected". I took second place in Color Photography for "Knock". These are the results of my efforts in the 2014 Rockingham County Fine Arts Festival. I had expected White Oak Sinks, Yin Yang and Night Life Under the Pier to be my highest rated photos.

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The Battle of Guilford Courthouse

3/19/2014

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I went to the 233 Anniversary Observance of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse last Saturday, March 15. It was a beautiful day for a war…NO, NO, (I didn’t say that!) I meant it was a great day for exploring and learning some local history.

My husband and I wandered through the camp and then watched the battle reenactment. The campers and camps were true to the Revolutionary times, including weapons, dress and other gear.

Weapons had to be clean and ready for battle.

Tents were canvas and not necessarily waterproof.

The colonists move to higher ground for battle advantage.

The colonists bring out the big gun!!

The combatants engage face to face.

The cavalry joins the fight.

The colonists stand their ground.

The Redcoats advance and the colonists retreat to fight another day.

Battle reenactment is over. Colonists march back to camp.

Redcoats march back to camp. It’s time to clean guns, cook supper and get some sleep.

If I go to the battle reenactment again next year, I will make some changes in my planning.

I will plan to spend more time there. I arrived about 1½ hour before the reenactment was scheduled to begin. I should have arrived 2 ½ -3 hours before the reenactment.

I will spend more time photographing in the camping areas.

I will arrive earlier to the reenactment area to get a better location from which to photograph.

I will use a longer lens to photograph the enactment.

I WILL TRY TO GROW A FOOT OR MORE SO I CAN SEE ABOVE THE HEADS OF EVERYONE ELSE.

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North Carolina Outer Banks

2/10/2014

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What have you photographed this winter? Me? I photographed family over the holidays. I couldn’t find anything else around Piedmont NC that caught my interest. There was no snow to speak of. Finally, my husband and I drove to the North Carolina Outer Banks, one of my favorite places.

I hoped to photograph the Corolla horses, but they were not willing to pose. These horses have a long history on the Outer Banks and roam freely within a limited area from Corolla to the Virginia state line.

This adult appeared to want to become one with the weeds glancing at me only briefly.

This young colt, standing near a rental house, shortly joined his mother under the carport.

Instead of horses in the afternoon, I photographed in Historic Corolla at sunset. This bridge provides a walkway from the Outer Banks Wildlife Center to the Whalehead Club.

This small pier gives a nice view of the inner coastal waterway. Note the ice on the water!

On a very cold January morning, the lights of Jeannette Pier at Nags Head were still lit as I started to photograph. The focal point of the final photograph is a starburst created by the rising sun shining through the pier pillars.

I am back home and still waiting for the snow. Based on the weather predictions, it may arrive soon.

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Fall Color from the Twilight Zone

12/16/2013

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For the past couple of weeks, I have been focused on getting ready for Christmas; shopping trips, wrapping gifts, parties and advanced food preparation. With an injured foot and Christmas overload, I believe I may have slipped beyond reality into the Twilight Zone.

In early November, I made some fall color photos in our backyard. I added camera movement into the formula to see what would happen. From my present Twilight Zone location, I have further manipulated these photos into the following. They no longer emanate from my back yard, but from a place few dare to go. (Hum the Twilight Zone theme music to yourself before looking further.)

I love fall colors, the ways they yellows contrast with the still green leaves. And the lines; they seem to tell their own story.

Here is the same photo with a slightly different treatment. Better or worse?

Again you see the same original photo with another treatment? What do you think about this one?

Here is another shot; more realistic, but still from the Twilight Zone. Any thoughts?

This may be my favorite or perhaps the one directly above.

And what about this one? Wait, this looks almost real. It can’t be coming for the Twilight Zone or can it?

Meanwhile I am still stuck in the Twilight Zone. I expect I will escape after the holiday craziness is over. Meanwhile I would like to hear what you think about these far out photos.

I hope your holiday is filled with laughter, hugs and creativity.

Cheryl

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The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost and The Great Smoky Mountains National Park

12/3/2013

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I have been reviewing photographs I took in the Smokies in October. I am attracted to lines moving through the scene. Many of these have water flowing through them. (More to come about this in an upcoming blog.) I love to try to get the blurs that make the water look almost creamy, but today another type of flowing line attracted my eye, the roads and trails of the Smokies

These roads led me to think about the Robert Frost poem, “The Road Lass Taken”. Well, I must admit that I have taken most the roads/paths included in this blog and many more. They have led me to some wonderful experiences and photographs.

Forge Creek Road can be accessed from Cades Cove Loop. It meanders along a small creek and provides access to several trails including the one to Gregory’s Bald. It also serves as the link to Parson’s Branch Road, an amazing road traveled only by a few as it is rustic one-way road that ends at highway 29 in NC. This shot was taken in early morning and the sun was shining through the branches of the trees inviting me to follow this awesome winding road.

This photograph seems to match perfectly with Frost’s poem, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…”This road is really Middle Prong Trail which is accessed at the end of the road that passes by Tremont. I love the trail sign with walking sticks leaning against it. To me it says, “Welcome, adventures lie ahead.”

No, your eyes are fine. I can’t resist playing while I’m out photographing. This is one of my many efforts at incorporating camera movement into the mix. I made this photograph on the unpaved section of the road that passes by Tremont. Does it look artistic, make you wonder what is around the bend or just make you dizzy?

Sometimes the best shot is at your back. I stopped at a pull-off on Roaring Gap Auto Tour Road to photograph a wide landscape of the mountain in the distance. When I turned around, I liked what I saw. What do you think?

This was taken on the Tremont Road not too far from the “artistic” one above. It makes me want move forward, as always, to see what is around the bend. Maybe now you understand why my email address is hikercheryl@gmail.com

By far the most popular road in the Smokies is Cades Cove Loop. It is an 11-mile loop that offers a variety of scenery including many rustic buildings and wildlife. There are many deer and turkeys and if you get lucky, you may see a bear. The loop gives access to many trails as well as two roads that allow you to exit the park and two lanes that are some of the most photographed roads in the park. Here is a link to my landscapes gallery page where you can see one of my Sparks Lane photographs. http://www.throughcherylseyesphotography.com/landscapes.html I have a few other Smokies photos within my gallery pages. I would love to hear what you think about any of my photographs. Your comments will encourage me to continue blogging.

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October Cruise Potpourri

11/9/2013

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October found me in Canada on a Cruise, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and busy at home getting ready for the Rockingham County Studio Tour. Thanks to all who stopped by the to see me on the tour!

Below I have included a bit about the cruise.

After the cruise, I got some practice editing that I didn’t plan to do. As the cruise ship pulled back into New York harbor, I snapped some shots thorough the curved window as we were eating an early breakfast. Even though my lens was pressed against the window, I got unwanted reflections from the light in the restaurant. This is one of the snapshots I took. I can’t call it a photograph since there was no preplanning involved. But still, I like the look.

I photographed a bit on Deck 9 since it allowed access to ocean views and fresh air. Here is a daytime shot I made with composition in mind. Below is a nighttime composition.

Off the ship photograph opportunities were often crowded. This is the Portland Head Light from an unusual vantage point chosen to eliminate as many people as possible.

And this is a view of the bridge over the Reversing Falls on the Saint John River with Saint John, New Brunswick in the background. Note the orange in the right foreground. That is about the only fall color I could find there in early October. I came home looking for more color. More Later about October………..Cheryl

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Busy September: Bugling and a First Prize

9/23/2013

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September has been a busy month; lots of photography opportunities and never enough time. I went with my TOPs group to the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer NC. Then I attended the Western NC Foto Fest, hiked the Boone Fork Trail at Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and traveled to Durham, NC to the Museum of Life and Science Magic Wings Butterfly House. I almost forgot the night spent in Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to photograph the elk that have been reintroduced there.

Cataloochee
Life is indeed an adventure! A friend and I went to Cataloochee prior to Foto Fest.

It is a privilege just to see the majestic elk moving in the morning clouds of fog. Can you see the herd here?

And to hear the huge males bugling their interest to the females adds an almost ethereal aura to the entire scene. See the open mouth.

Try as I might, I could not capture the ambiance. You just have to be there! Another photographer in quest of the perfect shot! Can you see him at the far left under the tree?

1st Prize

Foto Fest of Western NC brought an unexpected honor. I received first prize in the “Anything Goes” category during the annual meeting. The winning photograph, Crescent Moon over Lake,” is included in my gallery in the “Nighttime” category. My husband deserves an award for driving me to Lake Matamuskeet during the middle of the night to photograph. I didn’t get the early morning shot I wanted due to cloud cover, but the shot I took the following night was a keeper and you see it here.

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Lemonade

9/1/2013

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My plans were all made. Arrive before sunrise and set up to get the good morning light with no wind. With an abundance of wildflowers and a weather prediction of partly cloudy, how could anything go wrong?

THEN Mother Nature changed her fickle mind!!!! As we neared our destination, the sky lost all definition. No stars could be seen. Then the mist started and the wind picked up speed. Well, you know what they say, “The best laid plans of mice ……………” But, they also say, “If you get lemons, make............... “ That’s right. So what follows is the “lemonade” from my Friday trip to Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC.

Rain Drops on Lance-leaf Coreopsis

Can you see the raindrops on the lance-leaf coreopsis? Some say that the rain or mist helps bring out the color on photographs. I say the rain on my lens produces blurry water drops on my photos. Rain on my camera could crash the camera electronics.

One Misty Moisty Windy Morning

Here you see Queen Anne's Lace, Lance-leaf Coreopsis and Knapweed. What a lovely combination blowing in the wind!

Into the Fog

Since it was very difficult to get a sharp image, I decided to try an artistic filter on this one. What do you think?

Art Tree

Here is a different artistic filter treatment. What do you think about this one?

So here you see my lemonade. I would love to have you write a comment. Feedback is important to me as I strive to improve my photography.

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Fireworks Balls

8/21/2013

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Photography is fun. That’s what I tell everyone and it’s true! Getting outside with my camera is my all time favorite thing to do. But creating a photograph doesn’t stop there. If you shoot in raw, as I do, a certain amount of editing is required. Editing is done inside my house sitting in front of a computer screen with my camera out of reach. Not so much fun, right? Well last night I had fun editing!! Yes, that’s what I said, FUN EDITING.

Let me show you why. While reading a post on a photography forum, I discovered the instructions of how to change a flower shot into a flower ball. It also works with other photos. So last night I had fun creating balls from a variety of photographs. I think I like my fireworks best.

Enjoy, I did!