Summer in Appalachia

•           I just returned from another enjoyable and productive trip to the northwest corner of North Carolina ---- Appalachia. In this area the Blue Ridge mountains are high, the air is fresh and the weather is great. I have never come to photograph in the summer before; usually opting for autumn and winter when the landscape is in full color or pure white. However; fantastic pictures can be taken even when the viewfinder of my camera is filled with solid green, as I recently found out. Although; superb camera opportunities can be found just about anywhere in the country; the deciduous forests of the Appalachian region exhibit a changing face with each new season. In some instances, the challenge of summer made it a test to create good images from a monochrome backdrop. The richness of Aspen or Birch trees on the hillsides make for quality images in color or black and white and remind me of the locations often chosen by Ansel Adams. One of the misnomers regarding landscape photography is that you require an abundance of equipment and the more expensive it is the better you will do. Actually; I often think I had more fun and captured more meaningful photos when I went out, years ago, with one camera and one lens. Always keep in mind that it is the end result, the print, and not the tools or the hardship involved in getting the shot. The image is the prize.
•             Once again; I hope you enjoy looking at my work and will e-mail me in the COMMENT section at the bottom of my blog. Thanks, so much ---