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Spring at Cowee Mountains Overlook, Milepost 430.7

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"Spring at Cowee Mountains Overlook, Milepost 430.7" by Johan Hakansson Photography

Date Taken: 05/18/2016
Location: Cowee Mountains Overlook, Milepost 430.7

Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
Focal Length: 28mm
ISO: 100
Shutter: 1/10
Aperture: f/14
Filters: 2-stop Tiffen GND
Exposure: Manual
How I Got This Shot: Probably the most photographed overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway I daresay, so it is challenging to find different compositions here. I like to go closer in for shots at this location, using the Spruce Fir trees and the valley in the foreground to anchor the image and allow the viewer to travel through the image into the endless ridges in the distance.

The light was rather harsh in the sky, but became soft and beautiful over the ridges. I had to slightly underexpose this image so as to not blow out the sky, but be careful so as to not lose too much detail in my foreground, especially with all the beautiful colors radiating on this day.

I typically shoot in Aperture Priority at first, in order to get an idea of where I need to dial in my exposure, then subsequently move to Manual Mode for the rest of the shoot.

Since I went for a closer crop for this composition, I brought my aperture down to f/14 in order to keep everything in focus, and feel I was able to attain enough detail in the foreground to match the detail in the sky and mountain ridges.

Thank you very much for looking, I truly appreciate the opportunity to display my work!

Sincerely,

Johan Hakansson Photography

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