Some shots from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and beyond

**Corran** · 18-Jul-2011, 21:09

A couple weeks ago I took a roadtrip across much of the south eastern US, from south GA to Washington D.C. and back in a big loop through the mountains and back down the Atlantic coast. The biggest part of the trip was a day-long expedition into the Smoky Mountains. I also spent some time in West Virginia.

This was my first time there (excluding when I was like 5) so I tried to see some of the most common sites. I definitely barely scratched the surface. I'm looking forward already to going back.

I have finally more or less finished developing, sending off, and scanning my 4x5 shots. I have only recently started shooting 4x5 or developing my own stuff, so this was my first real outing with the gear.

I'll try to include as much tech info as possible on the shots. On the B&W photos there is some pretty bad banding on some of the scans, I am looking into that problem now, but the worst of that problem is luckily on my poorer frames, execution/composition wise.

I am totally open to your opinions or critiques. I am pretty well grounded in the photographic aspects but new in LF.

First some b&w stuff:

150mm, cropped 2:1
TMax100
Midtones are kinda meh on this one

210mm, cropped kind of square
TMax100
Banding!

210mm
TMax100
This is the New River Gorge in West Virginia

150mm
TMax100
I posted this before but anyway, this is Blackwater Falls in WV

More coming in color...

**Corran** · 18-Jul-2011, 21:14

210mm I think
Velvia 100

90mm with center filter
Velvia 100

150mm
Velvia 100

**Corran** · 18-Jul-2011, 21:15

And last ones:

150mm
Velvia 100

Back in WV:
210mm
Velvia 100

150mm
Expired Velvia 50, colors got kinda funky

**Tom J McDonald** · 18-Jul-2011, 21:21

Incredible.

**Bob McCarthy** · 18-Jul-2011, 21:23

Interesting places, I don't know that part of the country. What time of day did you shoot? Some shots look mid day, I would suggest you concider joining the dawn patrol. Or latter towards dusk.

Bob

**Corran** · 18-Jul-2011, 21:29

Totally agree Bob!!

As it was though I was where I was when it was...in other words I was on a 400+ mile per day driving schedule so I didn't have the luxury of going anywhere at a specific time (nor did I know where things were at all).

I'd like to spend some time (week or two) near the park sometime and really explore, and get all those sunrise/set shots.

Also thanks Tom!

**Tom J McDonald** · 18-Jul-2011, 22:48

I really dig the deep skies and bright sun. It sorta represents landscapes the way I'd see them

**Heroique** · 19-Jul-2011, 00:50

That first shot looks like Cades Cove.

Not much change since the Appalachian pioneers.

Listen. I can hear banjos.

**Jim Michael** · 19-Jul-2011, 03:48

Nice series. Color balance in the Velvia looks a tad magenta & blue maybe try -5M +10Y?

**Corran** · 19-Jul-2011, 05:41

Yep, Cades Cove. I saw a bear too, which promptly ran away.

I will check the color balance, that's something I struggle with even with a decent monitor that I just bought.