Clingman's Dome Star Trails
The observation tower on the summit of Clingman's Dome is a very unique structure, one which adds immensely to the character of the mountain. I'm glad that som...
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The observation tower on the summit of Clingman's Dome is a very unique structure, one which adds immensely to the character of the mountain. I'm glad that someone in the past decided to build the tower - I can't imagine the NPS of today deciding to build the tower! Anyway, this is my first real foray into star trail photography. Now that I've upgraded to the full-frame sensor, night photography has become much more attractive to me. The tower on Clingman's Dome is the perfect silhouette for night shots - strange and moody! Thankfully, the weather wasn't moody on this particular night - very little cloud cover, not much wind, and not brutally cold. So, strange weather for Clingman's Dome! There was no moon on this night, but there was an unfortunate amount of light pollution from Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge. It's hard to find truly dark skies in the area, I think. This is seven 10 minute shots blended together - I haven't bought an intervalometer yet, so I didn't have the patience to take hundreds of shorter exposures. November seems like a good time for this type of photography in the park, anyway - after the leaves, but before the better chances for snowfall.
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Dec, 2014Views
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Contest Finalist in Skywards Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Astronomy Photo Contest
People's Choice in Long Exposures Photo Challenge
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Certo
February 14, 2015
I'm stunned! Amazing image! I doubt you were around before this tower was built and the old one was there. I really liked it. Watched sunrise 1 winter day w/girlfriend, coats & blanket in the '70s.
Certo
February 14, 2015
This is almost like one of those surreal images created with PhotoShop, or some other. The hard lines of the tower are beautiful, but the trees so still on a mountain top? Congrats!
pvarney3
February 14, 2015
Thanks Certo, I really appreciate your comments! No, I wasn't around for the old observation tower! Glad to hear you were able to experience a great sunrise from the mountain!
pvarney3
February 14, 2015
It was a rare 'calm' night on Clingman's Dome - not too many of those! Night photography is interesting to me because of the surreal-ness. You often get images that you didn't expect/anticipate, because a camera sensor is so different from an eye (especially at night!).
arkhunter
December 29, 2016
Were the breaks in the trail intentional or did you just have some gaps in the shots? I assume it was lots of layered shots to get the trials.
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