Morning fog in Cades Cove.
2024 Great Smoky Mountains Fall Color Photography Workshop
October 24-27, 2024
Autumn in the Smokies is a special season and the one that photographers seem to cherish the most. Due to the elevation ranges in the park, there is always something worthy of your time and effort. From splashes of brilliant color to muted scenes of more subtle, past-peak color with attendant branches and structure — just move to a zone that suits your taste.
Join me for 4 days of creative photography — and fun! There are many talented photographers offering workshops in the Smokies, but only one wrote the book — that would be me. I will leverage 30+ years of experience photographing the Smokies to help you be in the right place at the right time to ensure you get the most from your efforts. The emphasis will be on landscape photography, “making, not taking” photographs. While there are iconic scenes to be explored, I will also help you find more personal images — the undiscovered icon — the great image that no one else has taken. The icons are such due to their beauty, but great undiscovered beauty also awaits. Each moment is a “soup du jour” - the chef’s special. What ingredients are on mother nature’s menu today? Go ahead and create — Iron Chef! To that end, the thrust of the workshop is on creativity, the use of light, and developing a sense of personal vision. Developing photographic vision takes time — a few blessed souls have it instinctively — the rest of us have had to develop it through study, experience, and hard work. Many look without actually seeing. It is my mission in this workshop to help you see better. Let’s look deeper than the pretty postcard scene to find that vision, that special unique image.
Autumn is easier on the body, with shorter days and later sunrise times. The lower sun angle makes it possible to photograph throughout the day although an afternoon nap is not to be scoffed at. Weather and energy will both be factors. Logistics likewise will be dictated by weather and group goals. In general think of a sunrise session followed by a breakfast break with follow-up opportunities until you can’t stand it either before or after breakfast. Lunch can be a sandwich on the run or a mid-day break with a nap. Nothing is set in stone, flexibility is the key. Evening light and last light will likewise depend on the weather and destination.
To maximize individual benefit, group size is limited to 6 photographers. National Park Service restricts the number of vehicles to 4 per workshop, so some carpooling will be required.
We will meet for introductions and orientation at 3 PM on Thursday the 27th at the hotel followed by a photo session, the location to be determined by conditions. The following two days will be organized to make the best possible images based on prevailing conditions. On the last morning, we will photograph until the light gives out and head home after breakfast or brunch.
This is a field workshop with additional time for image review and discussion of composition as time allows. Would you rather photograph or be in front of a monitor? It’s up to you — the goal is for you to make the best possible use of our time together. We'll squeeze in everything we can. The emphasis will be on photographing landscapes both grand and intimate, creativity, and field techniques.
The Highland Manor (865-448-2211) in Townsend, TN is holding a block of rooms until October 15th. Lodging is up to you; call them to take over the reservation for your room. You are of course, free to stay where you like, and if you live locally, commuting is not out of the question. There are camping options if you are so equipped.
You should have a thorough working knowledge of how to operate your equipment - buttons, etc. Activity level is "easy," we will be working from the vehicles with short walks less than 1/4 mile. However, uneven ground and scrambling on stream banks make hiking boots desirable. Bring rain gear; unless it’s a washout we will work in "bad" weather. It occasionally snows in October, so be prepared for cooler weather.
E-mail with any questions using the contact menu on the nav bar.
Cost per participant is $795.00. Optional extensions may be available. Deposit of $200.00 due at registration, balance due 30 days prior to workshop.