A year of reflection

So 2010 wasn’t the worst year of my life, but was definitely in the top 3.  I lost my father and my business of 20 years suffered major setbacks due to the economy.   Some good things came out of this year though. 

• ·         My baby Granddaughter, Faith, has been a full year in my life now and I have to say she has been the greatest source of this year’s joy for me. 

• ·         I have been reminded to look for and appreciate the simple joys of every day rather than looking for the next big event or vacation or purchase for happiness.  There is greater joy in these simple things.

• ·         I found the inner motivation to be more disciplined about my health and fitness.  It is paying off and I am excited about the results.

• ·         My mind is still once again and I am restful within.

• ·         My relationships feel sweeter somehow now than they did a year ago.  I think I am somehow sweeter too. 

Gifts… these were the gifts from the same year that brought me tremendous stress, grief and feelings of failure.

The Tao Te Ching teaches us to “live our lives like water, flowing over and around rocks”.  It has been my experience that success or failure in life depends upon our ability to adapt to whatever life puts in our path.  I will remember 2010 as my year of major detour.  While the scenery is different and it is a long way off my original path, I am somehow richer for having gone this way. 

Shooting in Snow

I feel so encouraged.  Last year when it snowed I took pictures around my neighborhood and not one  was worth saving.  Not one with any compositional interest and they all just seemed flat.  Here, a year later in Cades Cove everything I shot was picture post card beautiful... at least to me.  I actually used this one of the John Oliver Cabin as my Christmas Card this year. 

The only thing I really did different was to increase my exposure.  The camera, because it sees so much white in snow, thinks there is too much exposure and therefore compensates by decreasing it.  So even though your camera may be showing a balanced exposure it is actually too dark and the snow will come out looking muddy.   Increase your exposure over to the + side.  You may have to experiment with it but here mine was increased about a full stop.  Any brighter and the roof the cabin was over exposed. 

Clingman's Dome II

The tree limb continued to bug me so I worked on removing it in photoshop.  I don't know if there is a better way than with the clone tool, but it was pretty tedious to try and get the mountains and shading to look right.  I am sure many flaws can be seen by those looking for them. 

I tease my husband, as he is with me on most of these adventures, to hang out over that ledge or wade into that raging river and removed this or that eye sore for me.  Unfortunately he is not committed to risk life or limb for my "obsession" as he calls it.  He feels his standing around waiting on me for hours while I take 100 shots of the same flower from every possible angle and aperture is sacrifice enough to get him that special place in heaven for stoic husbands... he is correct.  His patience with me is saintly. 

My boys, who are in their 20's, have expressed to me that they don't think anything should be photoshopped out of a photo because it is not a true rendering of the scene.  For me it is about not letting something insignificant from destract from the scene that was so awe inspiring.

Clingman's Dome

Went hiking yesterday up to Clingman's Dome this time. This is what it looks like from the top of the world!

From the parking area it is only 1/4 mile to the top, but it is very steep. I had to stop on the way up about 4 times... okay, really about 5 or 6 to catch my breath, but it was worth it!

We went late in the afternoon - about 5:00 p.m. It was beautiful. I don't usually like to take photos in the direction of the sun unless there is a lot of color going on, but the light and shadows playing on the mountains here just fascinated me. I would have rathered the fur tree limb to the right not be in the picture, but couldn't really work around it and still get the wide angle and the light was best on the nearer hills in this spot. In case your wondering, yes, there is a sliver of a lake in the upper left hand side of the photo. Is it distracting? Unlike the limb on the right, I could photoshop the lake out easily enough. But since I know the lake is there and enjoyed the view of the lake on my hike, it is rather endearing to me.

Mushrooms and Fungi

It has been raining like crazy here all summer, so the mushrooms are very prolific this year. I have never seen so many different varieties. I am not up on my mushrooms so I can't tell you what kind these are except the last one is a "Crowned Coral". If anyone can identify them for me I'd love to know. I looked on-line without much luck, especially for the one to the right here that looks a bit like a flower; would love to know what it is.

These on the side of the tree were the size of large dinner plates! Wow!

Laurel Falls Trail Hike

This past weekend we hiked with three of our grandchildren to Laurel Falls in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is a great little hike - about 2.6 miles round trip. The trail is paved - although could use a repaving - so you can even take a stroller along. The trail head and small parking area is along Little River Road between the Townsend Wye and the Sugarlands Visitors Center.

Found this little one armed Salamander at the base of the falls!

Hearts-a-bustin'

Fall is just begining here in East Tennessee!

My First Contest

I entered my first Contest and placed well! One of my photography instructors had been encouraging us to enter the TN Valley Fair Competition and I had a friend that pushed me into doing it as well. I don't know why I held back. I think I was really afraid of feeling that if I didn't win it would mean they really weren't very good. I waited until the very last day to enter. All in all, it ended up being a very positive experience. I learned how to follow the rules in sizing and mounting my photos - I had never mounted anything before.

It was very intimidating when I dropped them off at the Fair Grounds. I could not believe all the photos; there must have been a thousand of them! The girl in front of me - hers were very good! I decided I would be happy if just some of mine were even displayed or if just one might get an honorable mention or something.

We could enter up to eight and I so I did. Three won ribbons; a first, second and fourth places! I am thrilled. Here are my winners and the categories in which they won. I am so proud... not going to be fit to live with for awhile!

1st Place Black and White / Plant or Man Made Objects

2nd Place Color / Motion or Action

4th Place - Black and White / Architecture

Grotto Falls, Smokey Mountain National Park

Following my last post about photographing water, thought I would post this one taken just yesterday of Grotto Falls in The Smokey Mountain National Park. I love living where I can get in my car at 10:30 a.m., drive to the trail head, hike a mile and a half to see something like this then hike the mile and half back and be back home in time for supper. Amazing!