Outdoor Photographers Long Weekend Article

June 11, 2015  •  Leave a Comment

Outdoor Photographer Magazine online published two of my short articles in their Long Weekend Locations.  I was contacted to submit the articles on April 1st, better known as April Fool's day.  Luckily it was not a practical joke!

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Long Weekend Locations

Pro photographers share some of their favorite regional locations for extended weekend photo adventures

By The Editors

Labels: Locations

Description: http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/images/stories/2015/jun/weekends/16.jpg
Middle Prong of the Little River, Tremont, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN


Jeff Silkstone
www.jsilkstonephotography.com

SOUTHEAST

Middle Prong of the Little River, Tremont, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
One of my favorite times to photograph fall color is when skies are overcast and slightly gray. I had such an occasion this past fall while visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Middle Prong of the Little River in the Tremont section was full of color from the autumn leaves. The water was flowing fast and the air was crisp. A boulder jutting into the river provided the perfect place for me to take advantage of the fall color in the foreground while shooting up the river. The path to the boulder was steep, and a good pair of sturdy boots was essential as I carefully made my way down the rocky terrain. Once I reached my spot, I took time to enjoy the scene and survey all the photographic opportunities. Upon determining my composition, I used a carbon-fiber tripod with a ballhead to sturdy the camera, allowing me to decrease the shutter speed and create a silky look to the water. I used a remote release to further ensure a sharp image. I attached a circular polarizer on the front of the lens to reduce any glare from the water and wet rocks while also helping to bring out the color in the leaves. In the end, it was a perfect day to capture an image of fall color in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
 

Description: http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/images/stories/2015/jun/weekends/17.jpg
Sparks Lane, Cade's Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN


Sparks Lane, Cade's Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Arriving 40 minutes before the gates opened, we were already behind a number of cars in line. I knew getting there early gave the best opportunity to photograph Sparks Lane in Cade's Cove, a section of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. When the gates opened at sunrise, we drove straight to our destination, and luckily, we were one of the first to arrive. In addition to the tranquil beauty of the scene, the reddish-orange color of the leaves of the tree to the left side of the lane caught my attention. Luckily, a fog had settled into the valley providing some drama while muting out any distracting background objects. I could tell the sun was starting to break through the fog, and it wouldn't be long before the fog disappeared entirely. Besides the weather, the only elements I had to deal with were other photographers and cars. I waited patiently in order to get the perfect shot as people moved in and out of the scene and cars passed by. I used a tripod and remote release to steady the shot for sharpness, and a polarizer to reduce glare and bring out the wonderful colors of the leaves. The fog provided the perfect atmosphere for one of Cade's Cove's most photographed places.

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