From the Deep Valley

I started my day at 4 A.M. headed out to Catalochee Valley here in North Carolina, I was having mixed feelings about whether to shoot sunrise, or wildlife. I decided, once on location that wildlife was the flavor of the day, and I did get quite a few shots of animals, around 8 A.M. I headed out with my traveling companion to stroll around the forest service roads in the back country. I missed an opportunity of getting a heron because I had already packed my camera back up. Live and learn, eventually as we broke out of the mainstay of forest service roads crossing into Tennessee, we came across a little road we had to check out. Coming down into a little campsite at the end of the road we discovered this little gem, I got out my cellphone and began playing with different compositions, when I finally got my camera out and began dialing it in. This is the result.

When you’re out on location and finish up with your captures maybe consider exploring. We had gone through the forest service roads surrounding Catalochee on several occasions, but there are many, and they are expansive. I knew of a few little areas that were fun to try and photograph, but today the decision was to explore something entirely new. I enjoyed the challenge of finding a new scene and working out my compositions.

When you go out, get the composition you were looking for absolutely, but then challenge yourself to find something new, something unexpected. It not only forces you to solve those photographic puzzles, but it helps you build on your portfolio, increases your knowledge of photography in general. All great things, and important. With this image now complete, I look forward to my next adventure.

Until next time, have a lovely day!

Aperture: f8
ISO: 1250
SS: 1/1.6 seconds
Focal: 8mm

Fujinon 8-16mm