Photographs & Comments

Winter doldrums

2007-03-26T07:52:00.000-04:00

So, it's been about two months since I posted my last photograph. Winter has a way of keeping me indoors and away from the camera. However, spring has arrived and I hope to be back out soon taking a few more pictures when I get a chance. The problem is coming up with new subjects! I think I've exhausted the Botanical Gardens and Watson's Mill. I know there are plenty of places in northeast Georgia to get some great shots, but finding time to do it can be a little difficult.

Hopefully, I'll be able to get a few more shots up within the coming months.

Winter Leaves

2007-01-23T15:27:00.000-05:00

This was taken on Christmas Day, 2006. Nearly a month ago already. I haven't been outside much to take any shots recently, but I hope to get out more in the coming weeks. It just seems like winter time is a bad time for photography - everything is dull and lifeless. It'd be different if we had some snow or some ice, but we don't. Spring will be here before we know it, though.

Tv: 1/15
Av: 5.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 38.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park

2006-12-09T15:15:00.000-05:00

I woke up about an hour before sunrise on a Saturday morning and drove for about 30 minutes to get to Hard Labor Creek State Park. It's located just above the city of Rutledge, GA.

I wasn't even aware that this park existed until this past Thursday when I began looking for a few places to go within a short distance of Athens. Apparently, this park has a really nice public golf course. It gets its name from one of two sources:

1. It was named Hard Labor Creek by slaves who worked the fields.

2. It was named Hard Labor Creek by native American Indians who "found it difficult to ford."

I don't know which one is the true origin, but it's a nice little park. I'll have to go back one day when it's not so cold. The temperatures were in the teens when I was taking these photographs. I stayed out about two hours and my fingers and toes were so cold, I had to cut the trip short.

I'm rather proud of this particular B&W, though. It's one of my favorite B&W pictures I've taken.

Tv: 1.0
Av: 29.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 53.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Frost Meets Water

2006-12-09T15:07:00.000-05:00

This was the first shot I took this morning. It was a little cold to be laying on the ground in order to get this perspective...but it was worth it.

Tv: 1/13
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 21.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Ice

2006-12-09T15:04:00.000-05:00

I thought this frozen stick standing out over the water made for an interesting subject. I have another picture in color, but I like this B&W much better.

Tv: 1.0
Av: 36.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 54.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Vines

2006-12-09T15:02:00.000-05:00

I really like this one. The little window on the side gives it some character...and the lighting is nice.

Tv: 1/25
Av: 7.1
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 24.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Smoke On The Water

2006-12-09T14:59:00.000-05:00

The only thing I wish could've been different with this photograph is the clarity of the reflection in the water. It would have been nice if the refelction were as crisp and some of those I took below at Watson Mill.

Tv: 2.0
Av: 32.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 105.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Bridge In Color

2006-12-09T14:54:00.000-05:00

I was pleased with the crisp colors in this photo. I did saturate it a little bit in Photoshop, but it made for a good shot on its own.

Tv: 1/13
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 42.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Ducks On The Pond

2006-12-09T14:51:00.000-05:00

Well, it wasn't really a pond. It was a wash down below the bridge. I wanted to get closer to get a more crisp shot, but this was as close as I could get.

Tv: 1/80
Av: 5.6
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 300.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Bridge Over Fog

2006-12-09T14:48:00.000-05:00

I shot this from across a small lake. The early morning mist coming off the top of the water gave this picture a nice effect.

Tv: 1/8
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 220.0mm

Hard Labor Creek State Park - Broken

2006-12-09T14:45:00.000-05:00

Not the greatest or most picturesque subject, but I liked the perspective.

Tv: 1/40
Av: 4.5
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm

Color In Hand

2006-12-07T13:53:00.000-05:00

This is a picture of my Dad holding a butterfly on the trip to Brasstown Bald.

There's a little story behind it, as well. The temperature that day was very, very cold and being on top of a mountain, the wind was blowing quite a bit which made it even colder. This butterfly wasn't moving at all when we saw him on the trail. It was in the shade and was just lying on the dead leaves on the ground. My Dad gently picked it up and put in in his hand. I snapped this picture and then we placed it on a rock in the sun hoping that maybe it would warm up enough (if it was even still alive) to fly down to a lower elevation.

We left it there and continued on the trail up the mountain. When we came back down, we looked on the rock to see if it was still there...and it was gone.

So, I like to think that this little butterfly that was facing sure death (had we not happened upon it) was lucky enough to be warmed up on that rock in the sun and mustered up the energy to fly away.

I'll never know for sure...and it's pretty trivial...but I like to think that's what happened, anyway.

Georgia Theatre - Photoshopped!

2006-12-05T12:13:00.000-05:00

I was in a Photoshop mood last night and decided to go crazy with it.

I didn't like this picture in its original state very much, and I don't intend to do much of this kind of thing, but this photo was just begging to be manipulated. The original was taken at night under very bad lighting conditions and there was a lot of noise in the image itself, but the focal point of the picture (the marquee) was actually pretty decent.

So, I just decided to leave the marquee in its original state and desaturate the rest of the picture. To offset some of the noise, I added a blur motion to the desaturated areas to give those areas a little more contrast with the colored, in-focus marquee.

Watson Mill - Photoshopped!

2006-12-05T08:17:00.000-05:00

I've had Photoshop Elements for a while, but I've recently started seriously working with a full blown version of Photoshop...and this is my first attempt at playing around with selections in one of my photographs.

I figure that it's just as important to learn post-processing with the photos as it is to learn about in-camera processing and composition. Earlier this year when I took up photography as a hobby, I thought that post-processing with a software application like Photoshop or Photoshop Elements took away from the original captured image and I was determined not to use it, but as I've learned a little more and have gained a better understanding of how to maximize the capabilities of my camera, I realize that post-processing is an integral part of digital photography. It's basically the digital version of a film photographer taking his negatives into the dark room and processing them. Just as that was and is an important step in film photography, so is post-processing with Photoshop in digital.

This is the same picture as Watson Mill at Dusk below, but with the obvious changes made.

Athens Sunset

2006-12-04T10:10:00.000-05:00

This was taken on the last day of November, 2006. I was on top of the College Avenue parking deck and happened to get a nice sunset to photograph. It was a tricky subject to shoot since I was looking directly into the sun, but I think it turned out alright.

Tv: 1/400
Av: 5.6
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 125.0mm

Watson Mill Bridge B&W

2006-12-04T09:58:00.000-05:00

I took this one well after dusk and had to leave the shutter open for 20 seconds. It turned out to be a pretty good B&W pic of the bridge.

Tv: 20.0
Av: 9.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm

Watson Mill - Waterfall

2006-12-04T09:54:00.000-05:00

The bridge gets most of the attention at this park, but the falls underneath it is really spectacular. It's not that tall (maybe 10 to 12 feet), but it spans the entire length of the bridge and is always very active. I've never seen it at a trickle.

Tv: 2.0
Av: 5.6
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 28.0mm

Watson Mill - Moonlight Reflection II

2006-12-04T09:49:00.000-05:00

Another shot of the sky refelcting off the very still water. I think I like the composition of the photo below better than this one, but I think the reflection is better in this one.

Tv: 1/8
Av: 11.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm

Watson Mill at Dusk

2006-12-04T09:45:00.000-05:00

Another shot of the old bridge at dusk on a Sunday evening.

Tv: 1/6
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 21.0mm

Watson Mill - Moonlight Reflection

2006-12-04T09:42:00.000-05:00

I was lucky enough to get a nice, calm dusk to shoot. I've never taken advantage of these opportunities at Watson Mill, but I'm going to start trying to shoot the place at more light-friendly times.

Tv: 1/10
Av: 11.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm

B&W Overlook at Walasi-Yi

2006-10-25T15:35:00.000-04:00

I had a chance to go on a mini-vacation with my parents over a weekend to Blue Ridge, GA. During that time, we visited Amicalola Falls and stopped by Brasstown Bald on our way back. The fall colors were in peak and I got several nice shots of bright yellows, oranges, greens and browns; all the autumn colors.

The following 37 photographs (or so) were taken on this trip.

Blood Mountain Marker

2006-10-25T15:28:00.000-04:00

This marker is located at Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi on Blood Mountain. Walasi-Yi is the only place that the Appalachian Trail goes through a man-made structure. Walasi-Yi offers a hostel to hikers as well as a general store for food, clothing and supplies.

Overlook at Walasi-Yi

2006-10-25T15:21:00.000-04:00

A view from Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi.

Tv: 1/125
Av: 13.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 40.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Amicalola Falls State Park

2006-10-25T15:13:00.000-04:00

The following 12 photographs were taken at Amicalola Falls State Park.

Amicalola Falls is the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River. The park itself is a starting point for northbound hikers of the Appalachian Trail (see posts below).

Appalachian Trail Marker

2006-10-25T15:07:00.000-04:00

Amicalola Falls lies 8.5 miles away from Springer Mountain, the beginning point of the Appalachian Trail. This marker outside the park's visitor's center tells some of the history and significance of the Applachian Trail.

Tv: 1/400
Av: 4.0
Exposure Compensation: +1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 22.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Appalachian Trail Approach

2006-10-25T14:54:00.000-04:00

Here is the sign just outside the park's visitor's center signifying the start of the Appalachian Trail approach.

Tv: 1/80
Av: 5.6
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Tree

2006-10-25T14:51:00.000-04:00

I took this shot because the leaves on the tree were extraordinarily colorful against that grey sky. It had rained the night before and the morning of this trip was rather overcast.

Tv: 1/1600
Av: 5.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 27.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Steps

2006-10-25T14:48:00.000-04:00

As mentioned in the picture below, there are about 175 steps to climb to get to the base of the falls. If you want to go to the top, you have two choices:

1. You can drive to the top

2. You can park at the entrance to the park, hike a half-mile trail, climb 175 steps to the base of the falls and then climb another 425 steps to get to the overlook.

I did both. Driving to the top was less tiring (obviously), but you miss some great views if you go that route.

While 600 steps are a lot to climb, it's not quite as bad as the 1200+ steps to get to the base of Tallulah Falls in Tallulah Gorge State Park.

Tv: 1/40
Av: 10.0
Exposure Compensation: +2/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Cloudy

The Base

2006-10-25T14:43:00.000-04:00

This is a view from the base of the falls. You must walk a 0.5 mile trail from the Amicalola Falls State Park Visitor's Center and then climb about 175 steps to get to this point.

Tv: 1/10
Av: 20.0
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 52.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Amicalola Creek II

2006-10-25T14:40:00.000-04:00

As stated in a photo below, I'm not really sure what the creek's name is that forms Amicalola Falls, but this is a photo of it at the base.

Tv: 1/15
AV: 11.0
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Amicalola Falls III

2006-10-25T14:38:00.000-04:00

A view of the falls from the steps leading up to the base.

Tv: 1/50
Av: 11.0
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Amicalola Falls II

2006-10-25T14:35:00.000-04:00

A view of the falls from the steps leading up to the top.

Tv: 0.3
Av: 36.0
Exposure Compensation: -2
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Amicalola Falls

2006-10-25T14:32:00.000-04:00

A view of the falls from the base approach trail.

Tv: 1/6
Av: 18.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Amicalola Creek

2006-10-25T14:29:00.000-04:00

To be honest, I don't have any idea what the name of the creek is that actually makes up Amicalola Falls. I probably need to find out. However, I'm going to call it Amicalola Creek.

If you know for sure, leave me a comment correcting my mistake (if, in fact, I did make one).

This was taken at the base of the trail leading up to the base of the falls.

Tv: 1/8
Av: 10.0
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
Focal Length: 28.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Amicalola Falls Overlook

2006-10-25T14:23:00.000-04:00

This was taken at the top of the falls. I didn't get as much of the falls in the photo as I wanted.

Tv: 1/25
Av: 6.3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 22.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Branch at Amicalola Falls

2006-10-25T14:20:00.000-04:00

There's not too much to describe in this photograph. The colors are what I was after.

Tv: 1/320
Av: 3.5
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 22.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Fall Foliage

2006-10-25T14:13:00.000-04:00

You've pretty much got all the autumn colors you could want wrapped up in this one picture.

I was sitting on the back deck of the cabin and wanted to get a shot of leaves filling the frame to display the colors. I took this shot and actually cropped into it to just show this one tree. I like the way it turned out.

The next 7 photographs were taken from the cabin in Blue Ridge , GA.

Tv: 1/60
Av: 5.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 43.0mm
WB: Shade

Tree Through the Leaves

2006-10-25T14:10:00.000-04:00

I thought this was an interesting shot. The leaves almost appear to be on fire.

Tv: 1/25
Av: 5.6
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Shade

Cabin View II

2006-10-25T14:07:00.000-04:00

Another view from the front porch of the cabin at Blue Ridge. I think in all of these shots, you can really tell why they call these the Blue Ridge Mountains. Sometimes they're more blue than others depending on the time of day, but they always seem to be blue.

Tv: 1/800
Av: 6.3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Daylight

Sunlight In The Cabin

2006-10-25T14:04:00.000-04:00

I liked the way the sun was shining through this windowon the second floor of the cabin and wanted a picture of it. When I take these photos, I always have a mental picture of how I want them to look after I've downloaded them from my memory card...sometimes they look right and other times they don't. This one didn't turn out exactly how I wanted it, but I like it nonetheless.

Tv: 1/13
Av: 5.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 21.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Rocking Chair

2006-10-25T14:00:00.000-04:00

This is pretty self-explanatory. I don't know why I like this picture, but I do. Maybe it's just because it's really simple.

Tv: 1/8
Av: 3.5
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Daylight

Front Porch

2006-10-25T13:57:00.000-04:00

Taken on the front porch of the cabin at Blue Ridge. Very relaxing.

Tv: 1/15
Av: 20.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 27.0mm
WB: Daylight

Flowers at Blue Ridge

2006-10-25T13:55:00.000-04:00

These had to be hearty flowers to still be blooming like this as cold as the nights were up there.

Again, I'm no flower expert...so, if you know what these flowers are called, you can comment and let me know.

Tv: 1/50
Av: 5.6
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Daylight

Cabin View

2006-10-25T13:52:00.000-04:00

This is the view from the front porch of the cabin at Blue Ridge.

Tv: 1/50
Av: 5.6
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 38.0mm

Brasstown Bald - The Highest Point In Georgia

2006-10-25T13:48:00.000-04:00

The next 14 pictures were taken at Brasstown Bald, the highest point in the state of Georgia. It rises 4,784 feet above sea level making it the 8th highest peak east of the Mississippi River. Brasstown Bald is part of the Blue Ridge Mountain chain in Georgia and is located in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

At the top of the mountain, there is a Visitor's Center complex operated by the US Forestry Service. A full 360 degree view is offered by the observation deck. A museum is also housed in the Visitor's Center at the top which contains several exhibits.

Brasstown Bald is a unique mountain in that the weather patterns are more similar to those found in the northeast United States. The highest temperature ever recorded on Brasstown Bald was 84 degrees (F) and the lowest was -27 degrees (F). It is also the southernmost habitat for many northern wildlife species. You can also find plant life living on the mountain that is seen more often in the northeast.

The mountain is "bald", so called for the lack of trees on its summit. Cherokee Indian legend has it that a winged beast which preyed on their children forced the Cherokees to clear the top of the mountain so it could easily be spotted and captured. There is also an explanation of the name in the marker seen in this picture.

Marker

2006-10-25T13:31:00.000-04:00

As you finish the hike up the approach trail, you find the marker and the museum/observation deck on top of the mountain.

Tv: 1/30
Av: 22.0
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 22.0mm
WB: Shade

The View From Brasstown Bald II

2006-10-25T13:27:00.000-04:00

A view from the observation deck at Brasstown Bald.

Tv: 1/250
Av: 10.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm

The View From Brasstown Bald

2006-10-25T13:23:00.000-04:00

This was taken from the observation deck. This is the view to the southwest. In the bottom right hand corner you can see the end of the approach trail.

Tv: 1/200
Av: 11.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 31.0mm
WB: Shade

Brasstown Bald Approach Trail II

2006-10-25T13:20:00.000-04:00

The view looking down at the approach trail to the mountain.

Tv: 1/50
Av: 9.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 45.0mm

Brasstown Bald Approach Trail

2006-10-25T13:17:00.000-04:00

The 0.6 mile approach trail ends here at the top of the mountain.

Tv: 1/30
Av: 9.0
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 35.0mm

Observation Deck

2006-10-25T13:15:00.000-04:00

This is a view from the observation deck on top of Brasstown Bald. I believe this is the view to the northeast.

Tv: 1/100
Av: 14.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Train

2006-10-25T11:59:00.000-04:00

This old steam engine was on display in the museum at the top of the mountain.

I was very impressed with this little museum. A lot of times, these kinds of places will be just a run-down, one room display that's not very well taken care of, but this museum was very interesting and cared for.

Tv: 1/5
Av: 5.0
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Fire Tower III

2006-10-25T11:51:00.000-04:00

A view of the fire tower on Brasstown Bald from the steps leading up to the museum.

Tv: 1/250
Av: 5.0
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 22.0mm
WB: Shade

Fire Tower II

2006-10-25T11:49:00.000-04:00

A view of the fire tower on top of Brasstown Bald from the observation deck.

Tv: 1/160
Av: 9.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Wagon Train Trail

2006-10-25T11:46:00.000-04:00

Wagon Train Trail is located at the base of Brasstown Bald. It was cut as a road around the mountain that eventually leads to Young Harris, GA. You can also get to the top of the mountain following this trail.

Tv: 1/30
Av: 11.0
ISO: 800
Focal Length: 35.0mm

Cabin at base of Brasstown Bald

2006-10-25T11:34:00.000-04:00

I think this is probably a visitor's center that wasn't open on this particular day...or it was a visitor's center in year's past. It sits just off the parking lot at the base of the mountain.

Tv: 1/200
Av: 10.0
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 21.0mm
WB: Shade

Parking Lot

2006-10-25T11:31:00.000-04:00

This view includes the parking lot at the base of Brasstown Bald. It was from this parking lot that the 0.6 mile trail began. The trail rises 500 feet in elevation in just over a half mile.

Tv: 1/250
Av: 13.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 25.0mm

Fire Tower

2006-10-25T11:27:00.000-04:00

This is the view of the fire tower on top of Brasstown Bald looking up from the parking lot at the base.

Tv: 1/800
Av: 7.1
ISO: 200
Focal Length: 50.0mm
WB: Shade

Black Rock Mountain State Park

2006-10-16T10:39:00.000-04:00

The next 30 photographs or so were taken in Black Rock Mountain State Park, located in Mountain City, GA. This particular state park is the highest in elevation of any state park in Georgia. The main attraction of this state park are the views from the various overlooks to the east, south and west. According to the park's brochure, on a clear day, the overlooks "provide spectacular 80-mile vistas of the Southern Appalachians". I would say that's about right.

I picked a perfect day to go. The weather couldn't have been any better. It was about 55 degrees the entire day and the visibility was phenomenal; there were no clouds and no haze to speak of.

This particular photo is a favorite of mine. That's the summit marker for Black Rock Mountain. This marker is located on the Tennessee Rock trail. As you can see, it's 3,640 feet in elevation. That's about 1,100 feet lower than Georgia's highest peak (Brasstown Bald), but it still provides for some excellent views.

Tv: 1/125
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 22.0mm
WB: Daylight

Summit marker

2006-10-16T10:28:00.000-04:00

A close-up of the marker.

Tv: 1/400
Av: 5.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 39.0mm
WB: Daylight

Blue Ridge Overlook VII

2006-10-16T10:24:00.000-04:00

You could be higher in elevation, but it's definitely on top of a mountain.

Tv: 1/40
Av: 3.5
Exposure Compensation: +1
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Blue Ridge Overlook VI

2006-10-16T10:22:00.000-04:00

One of two B&W shots of the overlook. I can't decide whether I like this this angled view better or the one below...so, I put 'em both up.

Tv: 1/50
Av: 13.0
Exposure Compensation: +1
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Blue Ridge Overlook V

2006-10-16T10:20:00.000-04:00

The second B&W shot of the overlook.

Tv: 1/40
Av: 13.0
Exposure Compensation: +1
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Blue Ridge Overlook IV

2006-10-16T10:17:00.000-04:00

I took about three or four pictures looking due east in the morning, but it's a bit tricky to take pictures looking directly into the sun. This one has a glare at the bottom center (that green blob), but besides that, I like it. I like the one below better, though.

Tv: 1/200
Av: 13.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 21.0mm
WB: Daylight

Blue Ridge Overlook III

2006-10-16T10:14:00.000-04:00

The view in the morning looking east-southeast.

Tv: 1/500
Av: 16.0
Exposure Compensation: -1 2/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 21.0mm
WB: Daylight

Blue Ridge Overlook II

2006-10-16T10:12:00.000-04:00

This is one of my favorite overlook shots. The weather was perfect. This is looking towards the northeast.

Tv: 1/60
Av: 16.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Daylight

Blue Ridge Overlook

2006-10-16T10:08:00.000-04:00

Blue Ridge overlook towards the east-northeast. I like the fall colors in this shot.

Tv: 1/320
Av: 5.6
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Shade

Black Rock Mountain Forest

2006-10-16T10:05:00.000-04:00

I love this photo.

I took several different shots from this angle and when I got home and downloaded them to my computer, this one was actually the darkest one. The others were exposed more correctly, however, after processing and adding some fill light, this photo really stood out to me and I picked it to put up on the blog.

I love the way the sun is shining through the trees...and the lush green forest below. If it looks like bear country, that's because it is. I must admit, it is a little eerie at times to be out there alone knowing you're not really alone.

Tv: 1/13
Av: 8.0
Exposure Compensation: -2
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 21.0mm
WB: Shade

Tennessee Rock Trail

2006-10-16T09:51:00.000-04:00

This is a photo of Tennessee Rock Trail. The trail itself is a 2.2 mile loop that runs along Black Rock Mountain, crosses the summit and eventually ends back up where you began. According to the park brochures, the average travel time is about 1 1/2 hours.

The trail starts out at an elevation of about 3,250 feet and quickly rises to close to 3,400 before dropping back down to 3,250. However, the second half of the trail is almost all uphill at a pretty steep grade and can be strenuous. The trail quickly rises from 3,250 feet up to the summit, which is more than 3,600 feet. It will definitely give your leg muscles a good workout.

I like this picture, but it is a little blurred. This was taken rather early in the morning and the weather was chilly, so I was probably shivering a little bit. In retrospect, I really should have used the tripod...but it gives you some sense of the trail.

Tv: 0.3
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Tennessee Rock Overlook

2006-10-16T09:44:00.000-04:00

This is one of the views to the southeast from the Tennessee Rock Trail.

Tv: 1/250
Av: 11.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Daylight

Trading Post

2006-10-16T09:40:00.000-04:00

This is the park's Trading Post.

This might not be the most photographically sound shot as I was kind of looking into the sun while taking this, but for some reason, I absolutely love this photo. I think the sun rays shining through add so much to the picture.

Tv: 1/20
Av: 29.0
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 28.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Eastern Continental Divide

2006-10-16T09:36:00.000-04:00

Black Rock Mountain straddles the Eastern Continental Divide. This is the dividing line for rainwater for the eastern seaboard of the United States. On the west, the rainwater runs off to the Mississippi River. On the east, the rainwater runs off to the Atlantic Ocean. Think of the Eastern Continental Divide as a folded sheet of paper in the shape of an upside down "V". If you pour water on the very top of that paper, some will run down one side and some will run down the other. This divide is the very top of that "V".

I find the most mundane facts extraordinarily interesting...and therefore, I had to take a picture of this marker.

Tv: 1/13
Av: 11.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 27.0mm
WB: Shade

Trail bench

2006-10-16T09:30:00.000-04:00

It's not the most picturesque subject for a photograph, but I liked the way the leaves had fallen over this bench on the side of the trail leading down to Ada-hi Falls.

Tv: 1/6
Av: 3.5
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls VI

2006-10-16T09:26:00.000-04:00

The next few photographs are from a small waterfall in the park named Ad-hi Falls.

As you can see, it doesn't quite have the amount of water flowing over it as Minnehaha Falls or any of the waterfalls in Tallulah Gorge. However, it was an interesting rock formation and I imagine that it can be very pretty when there is more water flowing over it.

I really wish I had a wide angle lens to capture the falls a little better. It wasn't that tall, but it was rather wide. I did the best I could with what I had and tried to focus in on a few close-up shots with a long shutter speed to take as much advantage of what little water there was flowing over it.

Tv: 4.0
Av: 20.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls V

2006-10-16T09:23:00.000-04:00

I like this one the best out of all the color pictures I took of the falls. The leaves on the ground have a great fall color to them and the rock formation seems to encircle the leaves. It almost looks like a bowl.

Tv: 1/10
Av: 4.0
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls IV

2006-10-16T09:20:00.000-04:00

A wider angle color shot of the falls.

Tv: 3.2
Av: 29.0
Exposure Compensation: -1
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 28.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls III

2006-10-16T09:17:00.000-04:00

Close-up shot with long shutter speed.

Tv: 5.0
Av: 22.0
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls B&W VII

2006-10-16T09:15:00.000-04:00

A little bit wider angle B&W view of the falls with a low shutter speed.

Tv: 4.0
Av: 16.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 34.0mm
WB: Daylight

Ada-hi Falls B&W VI

2006-10-16T09:04:00.000-04:00

Ada-hi Falls.

Tv: 8.0
Av: 29.0
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 44.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls B&W V

2006-10-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

Close-up view with a long shutter speed.

Tv: 8.0
Av: 29.0
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 44.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls B&W IV

2006-10-16T08:57:00.000-04:00

A close-up view of Ad-Hi Falls with a long shutter speed.

Tv: 8.0
Av: 25.0
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls B&W III

2006-10-16T08:53:00.000-04:00

A close-up shot of the falls with a long shutter speed.

Tv: 8.0
Av: 22.0
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-Hi Falls B&W II

2006-10-16T08:50:00.000-04:00

Wider angle B&W shot of Ada-hi Falls.

Tv: 1/20
Av: 3.5
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Shade

Ada-hi Falls II

2006-10-16T08:48:00.000-04:00

Wider angle shot of Ada-hi Falls.

I really like the way the bridge just kind of stops in the picture near the falls. It looks as if the bridge disappears into the rocks or the forest behind it.

Tv: 1/20
Av: 3.5
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Ada-hi Falls

2006-10-16T08:44:00.000-04:00

Photo of the wooden bridge leading down to Ada-hi Falls.

Tv: 1/20
Av: 3.5
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Ada-hi Falls B&W

2006-10-16T08:38:00.000-04:00

A B&W shot of the wooden bridge leading to Ada-hi Falls.

Tv: 1/20
Av: 3.5
Exposure Compensation: -1/3
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Mountain City, GA

2006-10-16T08:35:00.000-04:00

This one was taken from the park visitor's center overlook. The little town in the valley below is Mountain City, GA.

Tv: 1/80
Av: 16.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Black Rock Overlook - Visitor's Center

2006-10-16T08:33:00.000-04:00

This one was taken from the overlook at the park visitor's center.

Tv: 1/100
Av: 11.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 18.0mm
WB: Cloudy

Lake Burton, Georgia II

2006-10-10T11:04:00.001-04:00

This was a photograph taken last March when I went up to the Tallulah Gorge/Lake Burton area. I was going through all the photographs I had stored on my computer, found this one and realized I hadn't posted it. There's a similar black & white picture from this vantage point in the March archives, but I really like this one.

Tv: 1/100
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 24.0mm

Tailgate

2006-10-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

A tailgate picture from ground level the morning of the Georgia-Tennessee game. I like the way this one turned out. It was more crowded as the day went along, but I think this picture gives you a good view of beautiful North Campus on a crisp fall Saturday morning in Athens.

Tv: 1/100
Av: 9.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 24.0mm

Academic Building - UGA campus

2006-10-09T10:40:00.000-04:00

This was also taken the morning of the Georgia-Tennessee game. This building sits at the north entrance of the campus, just inside the Arch. I love this particular building because of the architecture and I don't feel this shot does it any kind of justice, but maybe one day I can get a better picture of it.

Tv: 1/30
Av: 20.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 45.0mm

Downtown Athens, GA

2006-10-09T10:33:00.000-04:00

This was taken one very cool October morning before the Georgia-Tennessee football game. The game itself didn't turn out like I had hoped, but the weather was beautiful all day long. It's hard to beat fall in the southeast.

Tv: 1/30
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 25.0mm

Molly

2006-06-22T13:58:00.000-04:00

This is my friend's dog I just happened to catch in a brief moment she wasn't trying to scratch, bite or bark at me.

Tv: 1/60
Av: 4.0
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 21.0 mm

Water Tower - Flomaton, AL

2006-06-12T12:04:00.000-04:00

Flomaton is the subject of a joke between a friend and I based on an experience we had driving through it last year on our way to Pensacola. Flomaton is now a town of legend. It is also a small town in south Alabama and it has a water tower.

I took this picture as a joke, but I actually really like how it turned out!

Tv: 1/500
Av: 8.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 55.0 mm

Group pic

2006-06-12T11:57:00.000-04:00

I'm not very good with photographs of people or groups of people, but for some reason, I thought this one turned out rather well. The Tv was set to one second, so it kind of caught some motion...but I think that's why I like the picture.

Tv: 1.0
Av: 3.5
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 18.0 mm

Five Flags II

2006-06-12T11:36:00.000-04:00

This is another picture of the five flags. It's a little dark due to the Tv, but I like it because of the sun setting behind the building.

Tv: 1/250
Av: 4.5
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 34.0 mm

Five Flags

2006-06-12T11:27:00.000-04:00

Pensacola has been under the flag of five different countries in its history. These are the flags representing each country.

If I'm not mistaken, the countries are the US, the CSA, England, France and Spain.

I like this photo. I have another just like it with the Tv set a little higher with makes it darker. I chose to put this one on the blog, though.

Tv: 1/125
Av: 4.0
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 30.0 mm

Pensacola building

2006-06-12T11:22:00.000-04:00

This one was taken kind of like the one of the church below - without much forethought.

We were walking down the street and I had my camera with me and snapped this shot of a building in downtown Pensacola.

Tv: 1/60
Av: 3.5
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 18.0 mm

Church

2006-06-12T11:18:00.000-04:00

Old church in Pensacola, FL.

I wish I had more information about this church, but it was late at night and was taken very quickly without much setup at all. I was in the passenger seat of a car, we stopped, I hopped out, looked up and snapped the picture.

Tv: 1/60
Av: 3.5
ISO: 400
Focal Length: 18.0 mm

Inside the bridge

2006-04-26T18:32:00.000-04:00

This is the view inside Watson Mill bridge looking out.

Tv: 1/60
Av: 3.5
ISO: 100
Focal Length: 21.0 mm