Cades Cove 2011 – Landscapes
/6 Comments/in HDR, Photo Adventures, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Sunset/Sunrise /by MalcolmMy family and I recently returned from a 3 day camping trip to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What an absolutely beautiful place! Beautiful scenery and tons of wildlife. We did lot’s of hiking (the kids even did a 5 mile hike!) and lot’s of scenic cruising.
Just like I did last year after visiting the park, I’ll break the posts up into 2 parts: Landscapes and Wildlife.
Don’t forget, all my prints are discounted for the entire month of June (even these shots of Cades Cove!) Head on over to my storefront to browse and order your print!
Enjoy!
Thanks for looking!
This Week at the Lake – 52/52
/6 Comments/in Deer, HDR, Nashville, Tennessee, Radnor Lake, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Sunset/Sunrise, Tennessee State Parks, This Week at the Lake, Wildlife /by MalcolmWell, here we are. The final installment of this 52 week project. I’m going for a little bit of symbolism in the lead shot as I’m watching the sun set on this project. I also started the project with a sunrise, so I wanted to end with a sunset.
Radnor Lake is actually a pretty tough place to catch a sunset. There really are no good angles. I had three chances to get a shot of one this week, starting on Monday which was a complete rain out. My second chance came on Tuesday, so I parked at the east parking lot ad tried to capture it from Otter Creek Road:
This sunset was really amazing. And while I liked how this shot turns out, it doesn’t show most of the color that was there. The sun is actually setting off camera left, behind the hills. What you see at the end of the lake is actually the edge of it.
So my next opportunity came Thursday evening. I decided this time to shoot from the trail that directly faces the sunset. I wasn’t sure how I was going to compose it with all the trees, path, fence, etc. I decided to use the fence in the composition and to put myself in the photo. The result is the lead shot.
A couple others from the final week:
And that’s it for the week and the year! Thanks to everyone who viewed, commented, liked, or supported this effort. It’s been a lot of fun and I feel like I’ve come a long way as a photographer. Have a look at the first few weeks and see if you think I’ve improved. Constantly shooting will help you do that.
If you are a photographer and are thinking about a year long project, weather a 52 or a 365, I highly recommend it. Don’t make too many rules though! It has to be fun for you, it has to be something you want to do. I had to get up at 4:45 in the morning each time I wanted to get to the lake for a sunrise or for early morning shooting. Because of my wife’s work schedule and my son’s school schedule I was able to do this only about once a week, but I actually looked forward to that day. I never once viewed this project as a chore, or wished I hadn’t committed myself by starting this blog or posting on flickr.
Don’t think for a minute that now that this is over I’ll stop going to the lake! Radnor Lake is an amazing place (really early in the morning when there aren’t too many people there 🙂 ) Abundant wildlife and beautiful views. There is ALWAYS something to shoot at Radnor. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend you check it out.
I have some other ideas in the works for other projects, Subscribe to this blog you will receive an email every time I post something new! Or, become a fan on Facebook.
All of the “This Week at the Lake” photos are available for purchase as fine art prints and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Radnor Lake! Send me an email for more info (m_macgregor@comcast.net)
Thanks!
This Week at the Lake – 51/52
/4 Comments/in Barred Owl (Strix Varia), Black and White, Deer, HDR, Nashville, Tennessee, Radnor Lake, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Sunset/Sunrise, Tennessee State Parks, This Week at the Lake, Wildlife /by MalcolmLast Saturday I got my 6 year old son up extra early for a hike around Radnor Lake. We got there just in time for a great sunrise. I let him use my Rebel XSi (now that I’m on the 7D) and he loved it! He loved walking around with the camera strapped around his neck. I think he took more photos that I did! We saw everything I told him we might see: Barred Owl, Deer, Turkey, Ducks, Geese, Birds, Squirrel, and Chipmunks. Fun morning, something we’ll definitely do again soon…
Here he is shooting some deer:
I’ll have to post some of his photos here sometime
Here is another shot of the sunrise:
This shot looks like something from November. The morning light coming from around the bend was great!
Here are a couple large Bucks we saw:
Here is another Buck taken another morning:
And some more Owl photos from the week:
And that’s it for the week! Next week is the finale! The weather forcast looks good, so let’s hope for something great!!
Thanks for looking!
Check out all the previous weeks by Clicking HERE
Don’t miss a week! Subscribe to this blog and you will receive an email every time I post something new!
Malcolm MacGregor Photography is on Facebook, check it out and become a fan!
All of the “This Week at the Lake” photos are available for purchase as fine art prints and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Radnor Lake! Send me an email for more info (m_macgregor@comcast.net)
This Week at the Lake – 49/52
/0 Comments/in Barred Owl (Strix Varia), HDR, Nashville, Tennessee, Radnor Lake, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Snow, Sunset/Sunrise, Tennessee State Parks, This Week at the Lake, Wildlife /by MalcolmWeek 49 and again I’ve seen something I’ve never seen before. The sunrise this past Wednesday was pretty amazing. The photo just doesn’t do it justice. I almost missed it too. The sky just exploded with color while I was walking along the trail towards a good sunrise spot. I was practically running trying to get to a spot before it was over. I came to the dam bridge and that’s when I got a clear view of the sunrise. There was a beam or column of light shooting straight up. I set up as quick as I could and grabbed the above shot. The beam of light was so bright it’s getting blown out in the bracketed shot. I then grabbed the gear and quickly headed down to the lake shore. From there, the light was starting to dim so I had to hurry to grab a few more shots before the color was completely gone:
Pretty cool…
Also Wednesday morning I got another shot of a Barred Owl
I went back at lunch and only came away with this shot:
I was able to go again Friday morning when I got this
Later in the day, I got this shot:
And that’s it for the week!
Thanks for looking!
Check out all the previous weeks by Clicking HERE
Don’t miss a week! Subscribe to this blog and you will receive an email every time I post something new!
Malcolm MacGregor Photography is on Facebook, check it out and become a fan!
All of the “This Week at the Lake” photos are available for purchase as fine art prints and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Radnor Lake! Send me an email for more info (m_macgregor@comcast.net)
Shelby Park, Nashville Tennessee
/3 Comments/in Black and White, HDR, Nashville, Tennessee, Photo Adventures, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Sunset/Sunrise /by MalcolmThis Week at the Lake – 44/52
/0 Comments/in Black and White, HDR, Nashville, Tennessee, Radnor Lake, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Sunset/Sunrise, Tennessee State Parks, This Week at the Lake, Wild Turkey, Wildlife /by MalcolmOne more week at Radnor Lake down, winter is tough! I don’t mind going in the cold, it’s just that there is not much to look at! Even the lakescapes seem to be missing so much color:
Also, your probably tired of that view! I’ve taken lot’s of morning shots from this overlook. It’s getting harder and harder to get something different. You pretty much have to hope for something to happen – like the turkey in the lead shot. This is the third time I’ve led with a turkey, but all of those are very different. The road he is on is Otter Creek Road, it’s closed to vehicle traffic.
Here’s a couple more that I feel like I’ve done before:
I’ve shot this (and processed similarly) in the summer time, but it feels very different in winter.
Here’s one I’ve done a couple times but couldn’t remember one in black and white, I think they look awesome!
Here is one I’ve shot many times so far this winter but have never posted because I never really liked how they turn out. Finally I cropped it and it is much more like I envisioned!
And that’s it for the week!
Thanks for looking!
Check out all the previous weeks by Clicking HERE
Don’t miss a week! Subscribe to this blog and you will receive an email every time I post something new!
Malcolm MacGregor Photography is on Facebook, check it out and become a fan!
All of the “This Week at the Lake” photos are available for purchase as fine art prints and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Radnor Lake! Send me an email for more info (m_macgregor@comcast.net)
This Week at the Lake – 43/52
/1 Comment/in Barred Owl (Strix Varia), Black and White, Deer, HDR, Nashville, Tennessee, Radnor Lake, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Sunset/Sunrise, Tennessee State Parks, This Week at the Lake, Wildlife /by MalcolmI can’t believe I haven’t taken a shot of this house yet. This is the original house on the lake property. It sits up on a little hill and overlooks the lake. No one lives there now but it is used by the park rangers.
I rented a Canon 7d for the week from Lensrentals.com, so all shots this week were taken with that camera. It’s really a great camera, I enjoyed using it this week.
I stopped by Radnor Lake on Tuesday, shortly after getting the camera. I had to try out the HDR:
There was still some snow on the ground from middle Tennessee’s Christmas snow.
My next chance to get to the lake came on Thursday morning.
I stood at that spot for 15-20 minutes hoping for some color and light. When I finally decided to go a little further down the trail, I turned around and saw:
He was so close to the path and so close to where I was standing but I never noticed! I was able to get within about 10 feet of him:
Grabbed this one on the way back to the car:
And that’s it for the week!
Thanks for looking!
Check out all the previous weeks by Clicking HERE
Don’t miss a week! Subscribe to this blog and you will receive an email every time I post something new!
Malcolm MacGregor Photography is on Facebook, check it out and become a fan!
All of the “This Week at the Lake” photos are available for purchase as fine art prints and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Radnor Lake! Send me an email for more info (m_macgregor@comcast.net)
The Best of 2010
/4 Comments/in Black and White, Deer, HDR, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, Night, Portrait Sessions, Radnor Lake, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Shallow Depth of Focus (DOF), Skylines, Sunset/Sunrise, Tennessee State Parks, Uncategorized, Wildlife /by MalcolmI feel like this year has been pretty good for my photography. I’ve taken tons of photos and learned a lot. I’ve brought together a collection of what I feel like are this years best photos. I hope you enjoy!
In chronological order, here are my favorite 25 from 2010:
1)
Taken in January, I got the idea for this shot when I took this shot on my way to work one morning. I was trying to get a composition without the light trails but I couldn’t do it. When I got home and saw the shot, I realized that the light trails could be an awesome inclusion next time. So, a couple days later the skies were shaping up for a great sunset. I pulled off of Highway 840 on my way home from work onto an overpass and captured the shot. On flickr this shot has over 950 hits and 109 faves and appears in 4 galleries. The location of this shot
2)
Another shot taken in January. I saw a shot from this location on flickr and I asked the photographer about the location. He was nice enough to share and I headed out there one evening. I really like the shot because there is so much to look at. The light is different on every floor, the trash cans are all in different locations – I just found myself looking at this shot for quite a while. I never expected it to be popular on flickr, but it has received over 800 hits and 95 faves. The location of the shot
3)
A third from January, I spent a long time in the cold to get this one! This was pretty much the start of me chasing birds and other wildlife. I took tons of shots of this bird all over my back yard and got a few that I liked, this one probably being the best. I had the camera wrapped up in plastic because it was really snowing hard. By the time I got inside, my fingers were frozen and my clothes were pretty wet – but it was worth it! Over 750 hits on flickr and 65 faves. The location of this shot
4)
Taken in March. This is a sunrise at the Stones River Battlefield in Murfreesboro Tennessee. I snuck out early one Saturday morning to get this. I think the composition and tones are very nice in this shot. Over 375 hits on flickr and 37 faves. The location of this shot
5)
Taken the same morning in March as the previous shot. I really like how it turned out. I was fairly new to using textures at that point so this was me experimenting some. I just like the vintage look and feel to this image. Over 180 views on flickr and 21 faves. The location of this shot
6)
This shot was taken at the end of April at the same location as shot number 2 of this series. I went up there on a stormy afternoon hoping to catch some awesome storm clouds or maybe even lighting over the city. I never got lightning and the storm clouds dissipated but I was able to come away with a definite keeper! Over 3,700 views on flickr and 29 faves. The location of the shot
7)
Taken in May when Nashville endured the flooding of the Cumberland River. I think it rained like 18 inches in 36 hours in Nashville. Though this may make the flood look beautiful, it really was a tragic event. This was taken from the LP Field parking lot. Over 1,200 views and 28 faves on flickr. The location of this shot
8)
Also taken in May. This shot felt perfect for black and white, the skies are pretty amazing. This shot won a small local photo contest this year also. Over 260 views and 10 faves. The location of this shot
9)
Taken in June. I love the skies in this shot and I think having my Wife stand in was a great idea. I almost didn’t get this shot. The kids were both taking a nap so my Wife and I decided to take a short walk down the street. I originally didn’t even bring the camera, but after a couple minutes I saw these skies and I had to run back to get it! 370 views and 36 faves. The location of this shot
10)
My first shot to make the list from Radnor Lake. This shot was taken one evening in June. This is one of my favorite Radnor Lake Lakescapes to date. I love the sky and colors throughout. Over 1,000 views and 35 faves. The location of this shot
11)
Woooooooow! I love this shot! Taken in June at Radnor Lake. I saw the deer eating on either side of the trail so I decided I was going to wait there as long as it took. I knew eventually one of them would cross the path. Sure enough, about 15-20 minutes later, she crossed. I’m very lucky there were no other hikers out to scare them off while I waited. Radnor Lake is usually a very busy place. Over 650 views and 48 faves. The location of this shot
12)
I think this is one of my all time best Nashville skyline shots. I took this July 4th weekend. I like that there was a concert going on and that the General Jackson showboat is there. Over 390 views and 40 faves. The location of this shot
13)
I may be the only one who would pull this shot out as one of my best in 2010. I love the light, her hair, and the fact that you can see her smiling and having fun even though you don’t see her face. This shot was just perfect for black and white. Over 130 views and 7 faves. The location of this shot
14)
Taken in July at Radnor Lake. I spotted this little guy all by himself near the path. I crouched down to get the shot and was stunned when he actually turned and took a few steps in my direction. Not the sharpest of photos but it was taken with a fairly slow shutter (1/50) at 200mm. I was lucky to get it this sharp. Over 350 views and 19 faves. The location of this shot
15)
Hours of work here! Taken in July in my back yard. We set up hummingbird feeders and had several hummingbirds visit frequently. I sat out there for hours over the summer hoping to get an in-flight hummingbird – and here is the result! Over 180 views and 21 faves. The location of this shot
16)
Definitely my favorite sunrise or sunset shot of 2010. This was taken in August at Radnor Lake. The sun rays coming over the clouds are just amazing! 4,950 views and 36 faves. The location of this shot
17)
Also in August. I was bored at the house one Saturday afternoon. I decided to try a splash shot so I got some lemonade and headed outside. This was the last shot I took, I literally threw the lemon into the glass! Over 1,850 views and 17 faves. The location of this shot
18)
Maybe one of my faves for personal reasons but I think it’s an awesome shot all around. I had the idea in my head before we even got to the school and it worked out perfectly. I love the colors and tones and the composition is perfect! This will be one we hang on the wall eventually! Over 260 views and 20 faves. The location of this shot
19)
My fourth from August. I just love the flare in this one. I think the colors and light on the porch are great too! Almost 200 views and 23 faves. The location of this shot
20)
Just a beautiful September sunset! Middle Tennessee really gets some great skies. Almost 500 views and 43 faves. The location of this shot
21)
Another sunrise at Radnor Lake. This one taken in October on a stormy morning. I really didn’t think I was going to get much from the skies that morning but then some color finally broke through probably 30+ minutes after the sunrise. 82 views and 1 fave. Location of the shot
22)
Another from October. I’ve had this idea for a while and finally decided to try it. It was much harder than I thought. I stood under some trees at Radnor Lake for probably an hour on a windy day. I took hundreds of attempts, finally snagging this one – A leaf in mid fall. 128 views and 18 faves. The location of this shot
23)
I spent a lot of time on this shot and I love how it turned out. This was really an impressive cathedral. 165 views and 12 faves. The location of this shot
24)
What can I say? Absolutely adorable! I was taking some pet photos for a vet clinic and this guy was there watching. I just had to snag a few shots and I love how they turned out! 109 views and 10 faves. The location of this shot
25)
Last but certainly not least, a shot I took in November. This is the Kentucky lake from the Big Sandy Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. I love the reflections and the hazy, dreamy look to this photo. Over 200 views and 21 faves.
I hope you enjoyed viewing as much as I enjoyed taking the photos. I have a lot to learn and a lot to work on but I’m really looking forward to viewing 2011 from the viewfinder of my Canon.
Thanks to everyone for the support, comments, tips, and advice shared throughout the year – I really appreciate it!
Happy New Year!
This Week at the Lake – 41/52
/3 Comments/in HDR, Misc Birds, Nashville, Tennessee, Radnor Lake, Scenic/Landscape/Waterscape, Shallow Depth of Focus (DOF), Snow, Sunset/Sunrise, Tennessee State Parks, This Week at the Lake, Wildlife /by MalcolmSnow at the lake!
We got some rare snow in middle Tennessee this week so I made sure I was at the lake! It started snowing last Sunday, so I got up early Monday morning and headed to Radnor Lake State Park. When I first got there it was still a little dark so I headed down the trail to a great sunrise spot.
I was the first and only one there for quite a while. No footprints on the trail at all. After getting the above shot, I passed another person, then shortly later I met one of the park rangers on the trail. I also met another photographer, Charlie Tallent.
I’m ashamed that I don’t have more wide angle landscape shots of snow at the lake – but I do have an excuse. I spent nearly 45 minutes watching a large Red Tailed Hawk that was way up in a tree. The light and snow on the ground was perfect and it would have been an amazing chance to get a great shot of the hawk. He never did come down from the tree and I eventually had to head to work (although already pretty late!).
Here are the snow shots I was able to get:
And that’s it for the week!
Thanks for looking!
Check out all the previous weeks by Clicking HERE
Don’t miss a week! Subscribe to this blog and you will receive an email every time I post something new!
Malcolm MacGregor Photography is on Facebook, check it out and become a fan!
All of the “This Week at the Lake” photos are available for purchase as fine art prints and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Friends of Radnor Lake! Send me an email for more info (m_macgregor@comcast.net)
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