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Moods of the Smokies
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Moods of the Smokies

by Brian Schrayer

Gallery: LandscapePosted July 12, 20173,037 views9 comments
I'm not sure if this will have broad appeal or not.  This image captures the more subtle beauty of the Smokies.  After all, mist and fog are a big part of what makes the Smokies...well...smoky.  I captured this image in the morning along the Foothills Parkway.  I was drawn to the way that the fog moved in among the hillsides. There was a quiet stillness to this scene on this morning.  Moments later, rain would move in so I headed to the waterfall that I captured in my previous post.  I wanted to capture the more subtle and quiet beauty of this scene.  The subtle blue tonality is intentional.  I remember the clouds having some blue tones and I think it helps sets the mood for the image. 

Capture Info:
110 mm
f/8 @ 1.6 sec.
ISO 100

Processing Info:
Levels adjustment to set black and white points
Mid-tone contrast adjustment using luminosity masks
Color Balance adjustment to warm up the image a little bit
Vibrance Mask

Comments

9 comments
Comment posted by Ed Lowe on July 13, 2017 at 9:14 PM
I am surprised that no one has commented on this. This is not a wow in your face image, but it does show the subtle beauty that you were trying to capture, Brian. You created some lovely layers with the trees interspersed with the bands of low hanging fog. This needs to be viewed in the large version to appreciate all the nuances of this classic Smokies image. Nicely done IMO.

Ed
Registered on February 7, 2004, 414 Posts, 7115 Comments
Comment posted by Craig Moreau on July 15, 2017 at 9:08 AM
Brian, this is beautiful in an understated, quiet way. There are lots of layers going on that all work very well together. I like all the cool blue and green tones as well.
Registered on April 21, 2015, 64 Posts, 584 Comments
Comment posted by Peter Richter on July 15, 2017 at 3:46 PM
Brian, there is a very appealing serenity to your image for me. I like the interplay of shapes and shades, and your exposure and processing conveys the atmosphere oft his morning immediately to me.

Peter
Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lowe on July 16, 2017 at 12:42 AM
The larger detail image is just awesome. I think it takes more skill to produce an image like this than the more eyepopping ones.devil
Registered on February 11, 2004, 777 Posts, 5252 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on July 16, 2017 at 3:58 PM
Brian, Just finished looking at your large version and have to say that I sure enjoyed looking at it. All the layers add a lot to this scene and the combination with the fog is just wonderful. Some very nice fine detail in the trees and over all just a great look and feel. Nice work with this!! cool

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on July 16, 2017 at 11:49 PM
Brian, As previously mentioned the layers in view are a real draw for this image. The cooler look is very inviting for me at this point in our So Cal summer. Anything with a mild looking temperature is appreciated right now. As I've never been to the area I suspect the leaning towards the blue is a kind of natural phenomena overall in the Smokies.......laugh
 
Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments
Comment posted by Harley Goldman on July 17, 2017 at 1:05 PM
Real nice and nicely understated scene. The mood of the image is real nice. 
Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments
Comment posted by Bo Chen on July 23, 2017 at 10:03 PM
Nice blue and smokes. It is a beautiful image.
Registered on February 14, 2017, 42 Posts, 74 Comments
Comment posted by Anil Rao on July 24, 2017 at 6:05 PM
Brian, this is definitely appealing, in fact very, very appealing. There a such sense of grace to this rendition, which reaffirms my belief that good photography is about the art of seeing (or showing). The repeating layers, soft colors and the delightful mist has all been brought together perfectly. Congratulations!
Registered on November 15, 2003, 234 Posts, 4923 Comments