Mountain Roads

During the fall of the year, the mountain roads, are wreathed in color beautiful light. Vibrant colors, deep shadows, and the scent of the fall foliage slowly breaking down and feeding the soil for the next year. It’s a memorable experience that feeds all the senses, for those who live here it’s time to light the fireplace for the year, for those visiting, a memory revitalizing the soul. The sight of a road cutting through the tunnel of trees, venturing to someplace new, some place exciting, and perhaps even mysterious drives you forward. I may never get used to seeing the mountains this time of year.

I have, for a number of years, wanted a shot of the road twisting through one of the numbers fall tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Waiting, year after year for the right colors, the right time of day, and even the right sky. On this day, I just felt like I had very close to what I wanted. I stopped, and gave it a chance, and was delighted at what I came home with. Perhaps not the sharpest image, but nature isn’t perfect either, sometimes it’s the imperfection that draws you in. I could of stayed and worked to refine this image for certain, I just didn’t feel like I needed to.

The edit here was slightly arduous, between finding the right crop, and slowly massaging the lighting conditions in the scene, I took a few days to get this image where I wanted it. In the end, I took the advice of a few friends who gave me some suggestions, honestly, I feel they paid off. The hardest part was bringing out the shadows, and not looking unnatural in the moment. I opted not to adjust the colors, it just didn’t feel like it was needed in this instance. Overall I’m happy with the outcome.

Until Next Time! Happy Halloween!

Aperture: f9
ISO: 160
SS: 1/125th
Focal: 46mm

Fujinon 16-55mm