Favorite Places Spared from the Tornadoes

One of my favorite states to visit is Tennessee. the scenery is so beautiful with the falls, mountains,caves and parks.

Recently the middle of the state was hit by a number of devastating tornadoes. From  the city of Nashville to a smaller town of Cookeville running along I 40 in an easterly direction.

I have fond memories of photo trips all around these locations and I'm glad none of them were destroyed.

I am however sad to hear about families losing everything ,including loved ones. It will take time to recover and hopefully this event will not repeat itself in the near future.

With that being said I'd like to shares some of my images from Tennessee from past trips.

 A natural rock bridge or arch over the river in Picket State Park. This is very cool to paddle a boat under.

Fort Defiance in Clarksville,TN, west of Nashville.

 A restored grist mill in Pall Mall in a riverside park.You can go inside and see the original grist gears.

Cummings Falls near Cookeville. This is a favorite among the locals in the summer!

Sergeant York home in Pall Mall

A suspension bridge

Looking out of a Rockhouse from one of the parks

Looking down a very steep stairway in Twin Arches State Park

A springtime image of bright green foliage reflection on a dark lake.
We took this from a rowboat.

Change is Good

 Almost every photo one sees today is Photoshopped or edited in some manner. I used to be against this type of manipulation but have come around to seeing the value in it.

Changing an image is the photographer's prerogative I suppose, but customers and admirers will send a message whether the changes are an improvement or not.

I recently walked with a group in a nearby park a few weeks ago. The Sunday afternoon crowds were starting to arrive so we began the walk down the gravel trail around the lake. Our first stop was atop a wooden footbridge where daydreamers gaze at the wonders of nature. This one image was altered to the final appearance. I'm pleased with the results as it reminds me of a painting.

This bottom photo is the original. I suppose it is acceptable but it felt uninspiring. what do you think?

We walked down a trail until another lake appeared. This one had wildlife and I snapped some photos.
The bottom of the swans on the lake scene is the original and the top is slightly altered. Not a very big difference but enough to make a difference I think. As photographers, we need and desire to impress the viewers. The top image pops a little more as there appears to be
some sunlight in the background and highlights the shore and tree line.

Here are two more sets I altered a number of years ago. The top was heavily saturated and the bottom was sepia toned. The resolution is too low for today's standards but which would you prefer?
I love color images, but sometimes a mood and subject matter requires very little. I seem to have a preference for footbridges, even back then.

I offer some of these images on my photo site . Stop by and see if there is something you like.

A Winters Day at the Beach

A day at the beach (in the winter) that is. Normally people visit the seashore on warmer days but for those of us that have cabin fever in the middle of a New England winter, it's essential to get out to the beach!

The sandy walk is a little tough after being cooped up for months inside. The only exercise some of us get is the snow shoveling or snow blowing off the driveway.

We headed out to the ocean beach on eastern Long Island's south shore, crossing over a bay bridge to Fire Island. As it turned out, many other like-minded souls had the same idea.  We all stiffly walked the from the parking lot, under the road tunnel, straight into thick sand blown trail. It reminded me of the Penguins in the antarctic; a stiff walk, heads down and staring at the glimmering waves.

Luckily the day was relatively warm so spirits were high. We must have ventured for a mile before turning around to head back.  I brought my camera of course; my Nikon 3200 but discovered that I forgot to change the lens to the wide angle. Instead, the telescopic lens was still attached from the last venture in the woods, some months back. I had to make the best of it, I guess.We'll dream of warmer days to come.