mill_cades_cove
Old mill in Cades Cove of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Old mill in Cades Cove of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
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Oct, 2014Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
While visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with my family, we had the opportunity to go to Cades Cove which is one of the historic settlements that are found within the park. This is the grist mill at Cades Cove, where grain is ground under powerful stones turned by water to produce corn meal or flour.Time
One of the least desirable aspects of photographing in the Cades Cove area is that the Forestry Service does not open the main gates until just AFTER sunrise. Depending on how dedicated you are, you can get some fairly early morning images. Of course, dedication is often predicated by your families reluctance to drive the 20 + miles to Cades Cove before sunrise. Such was the case on this day and I had to settle for a mid-afternoon shot. You take what you get sometimes.Lighting
Fortunately, there was a little bit of an overcast sky this particular day that helped to soften some of the harsh shadows of mid day photography. A little creativity in the processing and a very printable image evolves.Equipment
I had a Canon T2i with e that day with an 18 - 55mm kit lens. It was bright enough to not warrant a tripod.Inspiration
I love the history of the Smokies. The terrain is VERY challenging so when you think about how hard the settlers had to work just to get there, it can't help but fill you with awe at their resolve. The cove is a very beautiful valley, surrounded by majestic mountains.Editing
Post processing entailed a basic tweek in Lightroom followed by the addition of a little color toning and a texture in Photoshop. The highlights had to be toned down considerably due the time of day.In my camera bag
My go to camera now is a Canon 60D, but I still use the T2i, particularly for video. I generally carry several lenses ranging from 18mm to 250mm and a good range in between. Of course, the dependable nifty 50mm is always on board. I love controlling the light as much as possible, so I carry an assortment of reflectors and diffusers. Also included are several Yongnuo flashes and radio triggers to use as needed.Feedback
In all honesty, the best way to capture this image would have been right at sunrise or right at sunset. The golden hours. In my opinion, the best photo you have of any landmark or setting is the one you get when the subject is in front of you. Wait for the best light for the conditions and just go for it. You may not make it back to reshoot the same subject for years. Regardless of the time of day, carpe diem. Use whatever light is available to capture the best shot you can. Patience! It takes perseverance to make images in a tourist area. Choose your time to photograph your subject and not the 30 other tourist's that are there with you. Expose for the highlights, process for the shadows and always watch your histogram!
