Blue Ridge Dreams

Out in the Smokies it’s easy to get lost in a moment, become enthralled with what’s in front of you that you can forget to turn around and look. Sometimes all one needs to do is take a few steps forward and the path will be laid out before you. This scene was developing behind me as I focused in on the crepuscular rays streaming down in front of Double Top. Out of the corner of my eye, a friend stood awe struck, not at the mountain I was intent on shooting, no, looking behind me. From my angle there was nothing there, a row of trees. Certainly nothing worth staring at with such reverence. The light rays faded away, so I took the moment to walk the few feet down to him, turned to look at what he was so entranced by, to behold a scene so far away, but encapsulated so much of what my Blue Ridge Dreams are made of.

What is it about the sight of blue mountains on the horizon that so enchants? The greenery around you fading out into a tapestry of sea blue along the field of dreams. Perhaps out longing for something more, our deep curiosity about what lies beyond. The contemplation of adventure just on the horizon. Perhaps all, or none of these things, at the end of the day, as photographers shooting such scenes, we must be at the ready to capture those scenes.

To edit this particular image we once again come back to masking. The sky here had subtle thin spots where the light passed through and helped illuminate the scene. So it was of importance to bring those out, let them showcase a bit. While it is true your bright spots are what your viewer may often focus on, the whole of the darkening, fading curves bellow help lead their eyes. Bright spots, visual interest, subject separation, and of course, most prominently here, layered compositions.

Until Next Time!

Aperture: f13
ISO: 640
SS: 1/30th
Focal: 138mm

Fujinon 50-140mm TC x1.4