Best of Show...

I took second place at the 2012 Lincoln County Arts Council Photography Competition for my photograph of my two "puppies". I shot it in color but simplifying it in B&W really took this picture to the next level. 

As the winners were announced I was happy with my win. I did not expect I would win any other awards, but there was still one Category left... "Best Of Show". As they read out the title of the best of show, I heard "Roaring". I knew that I had an entry entitled "Roaring Fork Falls", and that was the name that was read off. I was shocked, humbled and honored that one of my photographs had won "Best of Show".

I took this photo when Bob with the Carolina Nature Photographers lead an trip to travel to McDowell County to photograph four waterfalls. I would like to thank Bob for leading this trip and showing me this beautiful waterfall called Roaring Fork Falls. I have really enjoyed my short time with the CNPA and I am always learning something new from this group.

Thanks to my family for allowing me to go on these adventures to pursue my passion! Without your love and encouragement I would not be who I am.

Last, but not least... Thank you God for making these beautiful things in the world for me to photograph and pointing things out that are truly special.

One of the biggest things I have learned in this, be sure to print out your best shots for as great as they look on your computer screen, they look even more amazing printed!

Thanks for reading!

Mark 

Chasing Waterfalls... In The Snow

On my first outing with the CNPA, we visited four waterfalls in and around McDowell County. I really liked Roaring Fork Falls near Busick, NC and I wanted to try and shoot Tom's Creek Falls again. Since I was off from work it was easy to just go!

As I made my way from Morganton to Marion, I noticed that at the higher elevations there was a coating of snow on the high peaks to the West. 

I shot almost everything HDR this trip but even HDR would not help me with the lighting situation at Tom Creek Falls as the Sun just was not helping things. The water flow was nice and I have yet to give up on this waterfall, but I think I will wait until Spring before I try it again. Exploring Tom's Creek below the waterfall, yielded this nice little cascade. I really like the way the water runs through the log!

Roaring Fork Falls was a little higher in elevation and there was still a few patches of snow left on the rocks. Just some slush. Last trip it was my favorite waterfall and it did not disapoint! I wish I had visitied this falls first but it turned out decent!

Just zoomed in a little tighter.

As I was coming up to Roaring Fork Falls on NC 80 I passed under the Blue Ridge Parkway, so after shooting Roaring Fork, I decided to get on the Parkway and maybe score some nice shots from the overlooks. The BRP was mostly clear with some slush in some spots but perfectly driveable... that was until I reached this tunnel at Little Switzerland. On this side it was slushy, on the other side it was a SOLID SHEET of ICE! I was happy I made it to the next exit at the Mineral Museum and rerouted to Spruce Pine, to Linville Falls and back to Morganton. So much for 2WD! 

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

Mark