Fall in the Smoky's is a beautiful season. There are a few variables that determine just how colorful it will be like the amount of rain, cold weather or just the timing of your visit. You can come too early or too late...occasionally you may even hit it at peak season. I've never been lucky enough to hit the last one. But you know what? It really doesn't matter, it's the mountains in the fall! The air is crisp and clean. The views are beautiful and you have your camera along.

Thanks to Dury's I was able to attend the annual Great Smoky Mountain Photo Summit again this year. It has become one of the yearly events we anticipate and enjoy. April from f32 in Knoxville has put together one of the best photo workshops available in my opinion. Just take a look at the speaker line up, and it is hard to beat. Small classes with one-on-one time with these superstars...why wouldn't you? One of my best friends on the planet hosts this event and he takes it seriously. Bill Fortney and Jack Graham put on a bunch of workshops all over the United States. If you enjoy creating beautiful images for the sake of creating beautiful images, you owe it to yourself to make time for one of their events! Fujifilm is a major sponsor and as a Fuji shooter, it is a great place to try the latest and greatest camera bodies and lenses for free! These images were my Fuji X-T3 and the 50-140 f2.8, one of my favorite lenses!

This year Marlene and I didn't get out until the last day as we headed home. We decided to take the road from Townsend over the mountain into Gatlinburg. The views on this road are breathtaking. We weren't in a hurry so we stopped a few places and were able to get a few wall hangers.

Sunrise is a bit of a wild card this time of year. It could be foggy and that's not bad if you are above it. It may or may not lift before the suns breaks through and that will affect your image. This was quite a while after the actual sunrise, but still a beautiful, majestic site.

I find it best to do sweeping wider angle views and some close-ups. There are plenty of both to focus on. This applies to scenic overlooks or waterfalls, it's the same principle and practice for me. The big picture, maybe a low angle with super wide lens and then a macro close up. I like this approach. 

It really doesn't matter how you shoot it, just get out and shoot! It's great therapy and you may even create some images you will be proud to share!