From Clingman's Dome

Gallery: LandscapePosted May 23, 2014261 views11 comments

Great Smoky Moutains National Park.
Had the pleasure to spend last weekend at a cabin in Gatlinburg with my sister and her extended family (husband, children, and grandchildren). This particular evening was the pinnacle of the (photographic) trip - colder than a well digger's posterior, with a wet, moving cloud misting us continuously for the hour we were there. But what a sight to behold!

Anyone who's ever been to the Smoky's knows this as the quintessential view from Clingman's Dome, the highest peak in the Smoky's (and in Tennessee) @ approx 6650 ft. Of course, one can walk around to the left or right, and change focal lengths, but it's still a recognizable icon, and the color palette is about what you can expect. I used a short telephoto (approx 90-100mm on a DSLR).

Exposed via ETTR, processed in LR5/CS6. Had a difficult time keeping the colors within Gamut, but all's well that ends well.
Comments welcome and appreciated.

Hasselblad H4D/50
Hasselblad HC 150mm/f3.5 lens
1/8 sec @ f8
ISO 100
Gitzo tripod

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on May 23, 2014 at 6:47 PM

Michael,

At first glance I thought I was looking at a seascape - Homer and the wine dark sea. Even knowing it's the mountains, I get that same sense of energy from it. Strong comp, gorgeous color palette, especially in the sky's gradient. Crystal clarity as well. I like it a lot. No suggestions.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Navin Sarma on May 24, 2014 at 1:08 AM

Really nice, Michael. The blues and purples go really well with each other, ad so do the soft textures within the mountains and sky. Love the strong direction of the mountains going across the frame. The mist on the bottom right is just a bit distracting, but not enough to spoil the mood. Would be a pleasure to see very large

Registered on July 17, 2011, 233 Posts, 1373 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on May 24, 2014 at 7:09 AM

Wow, amazing colors you captured here! Must indeed look great as a large print. My only nit is the dust bunny on the left just above the horizon. There are some other artifacts further to the left, but I can't see if it's dust or clouds. Great shot!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Jean C Cajolet on May 24, 2014 at 9:00 AM

The first thing I saw it was a rough sea after a storm. I've never seen those mountains but looking at your picture I can see that I am missing something. Beautiful picture, my only suggestion: don't change anything, it's a piece of art.

Registered on April 28, 2014, 53 Posts, 532 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on May 24, 2014 at 10:04 AM

Great layers. A strong composition and I also love the colors. They really go well with each other. Beautiful work

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on May 24, 2014 at 11:05 PM

Love those layers and pastel colors Michael! I agree with Navin about the mist on the right, but I also agree it's not enough to spoil the mood. The large version is a real pleasure to view!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by gary phillips on May 24, 2014 at 11:29 PM

The large version is very special, Michael. I would suggest a small crop to eliminate the mist on the right and aside from the dust bunny just awesome.

Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on May 25, 2014 at 8:56 PM

Michael: I've been there twice and don't think I would ever tire of it. I did notice the mist on the right edge before reading the other comments and while I kind of wish it wasn't there its a 1¢ or less nit. Beautiful layering of the mountains and the sky is the perfect complement. Bravo! >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Ant on May 26, 2014 at 5:20 PM

The layering, the colors and the small clouds make this a very special image, which one would look at over and over again. Simply beautiful.

Registered on April 13, 2009, 27 Posts, 474 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Reid on May 26, 2014 at 6:51 PM

Beautiful layering and exceptional colors in this Michael. The large version looks wonderful. Great job.

Registered on January 27, 2013, 65 Posts, 2460 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on May 28, 2014 at 1:39 PM

Wow! What a beautiful scene this is, Michael! An amazing view in great conditions with such wonderful color. Have to see this for myself one of these days!

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments