Haze in the Evening

The section of the parkway that includes Craggy Gardens, the Craggy Visitor Center, and of course Craggy itself has always been my favorite place along the drive. I used to look forward to hiking to the summit as many times in a year as I could manage. This photo however is situated beneath the mountain at the visitor center. There’s a few views from here I enjoy, but one in particular situated just at the stone wall I find to be near perfect for shooting down the long snaking valley we see here. It’s a view I’ve stopped at many times, but only a handful of times have I spent time shooting the scene itself, it’s never a lost cause. Even on this occasion with only a few clouds hanging in the sky, the haze that permeates the mountains lit up like a beacon, heralding the coming dark. Not a deep, frightening dark, a dark that embraces you, and draws you into a easy slumber. Perhaps it’s time to ascend those old peaks once more.

As I’m sure you’ve heard a thousand times, and a thousand times more. Shoot the scene you’re given. In many areas of photography you are in control of the light, the setting, the mood. Within landscape photography, you’re at the mercy of the moment. Now, as I have discussed previously, your hours behind the lens, on location can teach you what to expect day by day in a given area. Know how it will come together, and shoot accordingly. You cannot, however, control the weather, try as we might. As you can see there’s a deep cloud layer right on the horizon, a few thin clouds, and what was bright blue sky. I came prepared for this, because the haze was particularly dense, it indicated there yet might be a colorful sky.

So, that’s the lesson. You go into the field and prepare, you shoot in any, and every condition. You begin to learn what the scene is, take luck and chance out of the equation and work for it. Hour after hour, day after day, the life of a landscape photographer isn’t just operation of a camera. It isn’t just a few quick snapshots and selling prints all day. It’s learning to read the weather, learning to control your composition, learning, and relearning. Landscape photography is simple in those moments we are getting our shot, everything in between is work, and being prepared for magical moments when they come.

Until Next Time!

ISO: 800
Aperture: f11
SS: 1/4th
Focal: 11mm

Fujinon 8-16mm