The Quest

This image was a close as I could find to the image I had in my mind. Unfortunately, most of
the fall foliage was already gone when we arrived in the mountains of North Carolina so the 
opportunities were few. (click to enlarge)

Fall is my favorite time of the year, both photographically as well as in general.  The long hot, humid (in Virginia) summer is over and it is as though Mother Nature is taking a deep cleansing breath before the cold, harsh winter sets in.

Most years, I've made it a habit getting out, finding and making some interesting fall foliage photographs.  Years ago, in October, I would take two weeks off from work, drive to a location that had an abundance of photographic opportunities and then strike out in a different direction each morning to see what I could discover.  Now that I'm retired, I have that kind of opportunity each autumn but don't seem to take advantage of it.

This fall I didn't get an opportunity to get out much and photograph the foliage colors and the changing of the season.  However, last week my wife and I met some close friends in the North Carolina Blue Ridge mountains for a few days of photography, fun, good eating as well as general exploring of the region and its small mountain towns.  Unfortunately, most of the colorful leaves had already fully turned and were slowing dying on the ground. 

Instead of fall foliage vistas I thought I would turn my attention to smaller, more intimate  compositions featuring what color was left and the last remaining colorful leaves.  I envisioned finding a single red or orange tree in an open woodland.  The tree would be the only color and stand out in contrast to the rest of the surrounding trees and the dark forest background.  I figured I could find at least one colorful tree in the thousands of square miles of forest in which we traveled.  The quest was on!

As we drove the Blue Ridge Parkway and many of the surrounding country roads through the mountains and hills of northwestern North Carolina, I saw several possibilities.  When one looked especially good, we would stop and my friend Dave (TwoLaneTouring.com) and I would get out and assess the scene.  Universally, the compositions looked like definite possibilities at 45mph but lost their attraction when standing in front of them.  They just didn't look good.  My quest continued.

Finally, I saw one possibility as we drove down from the summit of Mt. Jefferson near West Jefferson, North Carolina.  It was sort of what I had envisioned but not quite.  The tree was too close in the foreground and there was no way to capture all of the surrounding woodland without a house, garage or shed intruding into the background.  Still, I made a few exposures as it was the closest scene that I had found to my preconceived vision.  In the end, I was a bit disappointed that I was unable to find and capture my envisioned photograph.  The photo that came closest is posted here.

The cabin we rented was on the edge of a cliff just below the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The rear
of the cabin faced northeast and this was our view for the only sunset that fog didn't obscure the 
colors.  The light from the setting sun just skimmed the distant hills and mountains and made
quite a nice composition. (click to enlarge)

Plan B was to wander the countryside and visit the small North Carolina mountain towns and look for interesting subjects that were other than nature.  We did just that and I came away with several images that I liked.  There were some country stores, rusted old cars, old barns, a grist mill and some images I made just for the color.  Small town life has always been fascinating and of interest to me.

Although I didn't make any images that were or portfolio quality, I am thankful for the opportunity to get out into the mountains with my wife and friends, experience the friendliness of the local residents and business owners as well as personally take in that deep cleansing breath before winter.

Even if you can't achieve your primary photographic goal, I recommend you go to Plan B and have a Plan C ready just in case.  Change your photographic objective and still get out and find and make satisfying images.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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