Kentucky?

Hi everyone, is this the right regional forum for Kentucky? I'm relocating to Louisville next month and am a bit freaked out to be honest. I have no idea what to expect. But I look forward to the experience as well.

Are any of you from Kentucky?

Thanks.

Richard,

I too, lived in "NOCAL" for 10 years and really miss it. Having said that, I can tell you there is plenty to shoot out here. Many of the greatest nature photographers cut their teeth here in the Midwest. (John Shaw, Larry west and more).

I check out your work & you will be a great addition to some of the good photographers here in the area.

Shoot me an email or give me a call.

Welcome!

Jack

Thanks Jack. I've been told the Red River Gorge is a nice place. Have you done a day long tour of Mammoth Caves? I think it would be cool to rappel down something, as I've never done it before.

Richard, welcome to Kentucky. I live about 100 miles east of you in Owensboro, also on the banks of the Ohio River. There is no spectacular scenery as in California or the Rockies. You really have got to look hard here. A few spots you may like but you will have to drive a little distance, and you might have to do more close-up or macro work. We just don't have the grand landscape as out west. Here are a few: Big South Fork national rec area, Red River Gorge, Great Smoky Mountains, Muscatatuck Wildlife Refuge in Indiana, Reelfoot Lake in Tennesee, Mammoth Cave if you like caves, Garden of the Gods in southern Illinois. What do you want to shoot? What format? Do you hike? Give me a shout at Mtnlt1@aol.com Ron Pullen

Thanks Ron for the tips. I pretty much shoot whatever the situation calls for. I currently live in L.A. County beneath the San Gabriel Mountains but it's very tough to shoot here as well because of the poor air quality and development. It's very challenging so I just do what I can.

I shoot digital, and I'll do hiking when I need to. I'll be in touch when I'm out there.

Richard:

We lived in Loo-ah-vul (as they pronounce it) for several years. You're in for a culture shock to be sure, but don't get too freaked out by it! There are many caves and caverns in Southern Indiana, to the west of Louisville and of course mountains and lakes to the east and south, not to mention the horse farms around Lexington. The Ohio and Kentucky Rivers are quite scenic as well. My wife & I regularly hiked the Tioga Falls trail, which is just south of town. I think you might enjoy hiking & photographing there. Nearby there's a fantastic overlook of the Ohio River from the site of a Civil War (War Between The States or War Of Northern Aggression) fort. The Magnolias are also awesome in the spring there.

Thanks Dave, for some reason my tongue is unable to pronounce it that way. I doubt I'll ever be confused for a local anyway...

I'll check out the Tioga Falls site, I love waterfalls and would be interested in shooting barns, horse farms, plantations, etc... We don't get those opportunities everyday in CA. Are there any worthwhile photo ops at the Cumberland Gap?

Thanks.

Richard, if you love barns, horse farms, etc then you will enjoy Kentucky. I live just north of Indianapolis and have been shooting in the Cumberland Gap/Big South Fork - it's gorgeous. I have a couple of images on my website from that area, as well as some from southern Indiana. The website is still under construction, but check out www.christopherjordanphotography.com. You can get a sneak preview of the work I've done so far! Send me an email there as well cause I can offer other places to shoot, as well as a friends website who has done stunning work in that part of the country.

CJ

Thanks CJ. I looked at your site. I'd guess that the image of the cliffs/foliage and fog is the Cumberland photo? Nice. I just got back from KY and had a chance to walk around the Falls of the Ohio SP in Indiana for about two hours. I was surprised at the amount of birds I heard and saw there. I believe I saw my first two sandhill cranes. I'll drop you a message.

I checked out the Reelfoot Lake website also, and it looks intriguing.

Richard, please do send me an email - I have lots of places for you to investigate that I think you will find very surprising. I'd love to share some of them with you, and also get you in contact with my buddy who used to live in both Louisville and Lexington and can offer even MORE info and interesting places. It won't be California, but there is plenty to explore...

CJ

Richard:
You might also be interested in checking out www.exploresouthernindiana.com and www.wyandottecaves.com if your interested in cave photography. I haven't been down to the Cumberland Gap area; it looks like C.J. gave you some helpful information. Did you buy your 2006 Derby shirt while you were in Louisville? Derby Day is a sacred holiday there. Lots of fun celebrations going on all week leading up to it!

Thanks Dave. I just got to Louisville today. My brother and I did a cross country along most of the Route 66. Southern Indiana looked intriguing today on the way on I-64 from St. Louis. I went to the Derby museum last week when I was in town but didn't pick up a t-shirt. I'm thinking about going to the early morning practice on Derby week. I'm flying to Chicago on the actual day though unfortunately.

Hey Richard welcome to Kentucky!!! I am pretty much from the other end of the state from you, real close to Virginia or Tenn. You might want to check out the Nature preserve web site for some great places to shot http://www.naturepreserves.ky.gov/stewardship/preserves.htm and Red River Gorge is a beautiful place!!. You can check out my web site I have several shots from my end of the state
Welcome again!!

Thanks Thomas. That is a really good site you suggested. The Axe Lake Swamp looks really interesting. From the looks on the map it's over by Missouri. So far I've just been really disoriented by the whole landscape while driving around. Most places in CA don't have a lot of trees so you can see the landscape but here it's like take a turn and you have no idea what to expect next or where you're headed to. The other day I went to Otter Creek Park and saw a waterfall cascading down the side of the highway by Fort Knox. Very cool. I want to see some toothless, banjo-playin bluegrass mountain men next.

Well I don't know about the toothless part but head down this way and you'll see plenty of "banjo-playin bluegrass mountain men"

That's awesome, I'll have to find out where Premium is then. I bought up the toothless part because yesterday somebody asked me if I thought I'd see mostly toothless people in Kentucky.