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![A soft morning mist weaves through a quiet forest of tall, lichen-covered trees, the fog partially veiling the golden yellow leaves of birch trees glowing in the background.]()
"Into the Mist"
East Tennessee, 2015The morning mist was doing its best to hide the last bits of fall color, but these yellow birch trees weren’t having it. Their golden leaves peered through the fog like lanterns in the quiet forest, putting up one last, bold display before winter took over. The soft light and swirling mist made everything even more beautiful, wrapping the scene in a dreamlike stillness that felt both fleeting and eternal. Moments like this are what continue to inspire my photography. -
![Golden autumn leaves arch over a gently flowing stream in the Smoky Mountains, where moss-covered rocks and soft mist create a serene, dreamlike scene.]()
"Smoky Mountain Stream 1"
Great Smoky Mountains N.P., 2017It was another early morning hike in the Smokies when I stumbled upon this serene composition. The soft, diffused light filtering through the mist, the rich autumn palette, and the quiet stillness of the forest stopped me in my tracks. What began as a vigorous walk quickly turned into a moment of stillness and reflection. Surrounded by nature’s quiet beauty, I lingered, taking it all in before carefully setting up my gear to capture the scene. This image is the result of that pause—a moment of peace preserved through the lens. -
![A dense grove of aspens in the La Sal Mountains in Moab Utah glows with vibrant yellow foliage, their white trunks creating a striking contrast against the golden canopy of autumn.]()
"Aspen Dream"
Utah, 2015
Quaking aspens get their name from the way they appear to "quake" or "tremble" in the wind. These trees are also unique because an entire grove can share a single root system, making all the trees in the grove part of one living organism. The Pando grove, located west of Moab, is widely considered the largest living organism on Earth by weight and area.
If you've spent time with my images, you've probably noticed that I have a passion for trees. Aspens are definitely one of my favorites. I visited the La Sal Mountains outside of Moab in late September, and these beautiful trees were at their peak fall color.
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![The brick columns of the Old Sheldon Church ruins rise hauntingly among moss-draped oaks in Yemassee, SC, bathed in soft, golden light that adds a timeless, reverent mood to the historic site.]()
"Sheldon Ruins 2"Yemassee, SC, 2016Old Sheldon Church, originally known as Prince William's Parish Church, was built in the Greek Revival style between 1745 and 1753. It was burned down by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War. It was rebuilt in 1826, only to be burned down again by General Sherman in February 1865.The day I shot this series in 2016, my wife and I were the only people on the property, and the history and reverence were palpable in the air. In recent years, this historic site has been deluged with tourists and photographers, and the church ruins have been surrounded by an iron fence, rendering this shot unmakeable any longer.
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![The brick columns of the Old Sheldon Church ruins rise hauntingly among moss-draped oaks in Yemassee, SC, bathed in soft, golden light that adds a timeless, reverent mood to the historic site.]()
"Sheldon Ruins 3"
Yemassee, SC, 2016Old Sheldon Church, originally known as Prince William's Parish Church, was built in the Greek Revival style between 1745 and 1753. It was burned down by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War. It was rebuilt in 1826, only to be burned down again by General Sherman in February 1865.The day I shot this series in 2016, my wife and I were the only people on the property, and the history and reverence were palpable in the air. In recent years, this historic site has been deluged with tourists and photographers, and the church ruins have been surrounded by an iron fence, rendering this shot unmakeable any longer. -
![A gentle mountain stream flows through a misty forest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, framed by mossy rocks, fallen leaves, and two leaning trees that seem to embrace in the quiet calm of autumn.]()
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![A fiery orange sunrise glows above mist-covered hills along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Franklin, TN, where layers of fog drift silently through the shadowed valleys.]()
"Natchez Sunrise 1"
Franklin, TN, 2017A morning well spent atop the Natchez Trace Bridge, hovering over Highway 96 West in Franklin, TN. While I am not typically a fan of shooting routine sunrises and sunsets, the ever-changing light and low-hanging fog in that place at that moment were terrific, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to create the images in this series. -
![A fiery orange sunrise glows above mist-covered hills along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Franklin, TN, where layers of fog drift silently through the shadowed valleys.]()
"Natchez Sunrise 2"
Franklin, TN, 2017A morning well spent atop the Natchez Trace Bridge, hovering over Highway 96 West in Franklin, TN. While I am not typically a fan of shooting routine sunrises and sunsets, the ever-changing light and low-hanging fog in that place at that moment were terrific, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to create the images in this series. -
![Sunlight bursts over a foggy ridge along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Franklin, TN, casting golden rays through rolling fog that blankets the valley in a dreamy, ethereal glow.]()
"Natchez Sunrise 3"
Franklin, TN, 2017A morning well spent atop the Natchez Trace Bridge, hovering over Highway 96 West in Franklin, TN. While I am not typically a fan of shooting routine sunrises and sunsets, the ever-changing light and low-hanging fog in that place at that moment were terrific, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to create the images in this series. -
![Golden sunbeams pierce the morning fog, casting dramatic light across the treetops along the Natchez Trace Parkway in Franklin, TN, creating a peaceful and ethereal start to the day.]()
"Natchez Sunrise 4"
Franklin, TN, 2017A morning well spent atop the Natchez Trace Bridge, hovering over Highway 96 West in Franklin, TN. This was the last shot in the series, and while it was only moments after I took the first three images, which were more typical sunrise shots, it is more akin to the type of imagery that speaks to me. The ever-changing light and low-hanging fog in that place and at that moment were terrific, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to create any of the images in this series. -
![Golden autumn trees glow through a veil of morning mist above the still waters of Wheeler Lake in Alabama, their reflections softly blending with the fog for a dreamlike, painterly effect.]()
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![Layers of ridges fade into the distance at dawn in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as a warm orange glow spreads across the sky, casting soft light over the dark, rolling silhouettes of the mountains.]()
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![Golden light breaks through dark clouds to illuminate autumn-covered ridges in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, casting dramatic highlights across the layered forested slopes.]()
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![A serene stream cascades over mossy rocks beneath a canopy of autumn leaves in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, surrounded by lush forest and golden foliage in the soft glow of a misty fall day.]()
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![A brilliant tapestry of red, orange, and gold autumn leaves fills the forest in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, as tall trees stand among the vibrant glow of peak fall color.]()
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![A lone tree stands rooted in calm, reflective flood waters under a soft blue sky, its vibrant green leaves glowing against the misty backdrop in a tranquil, almost surreal scene.]()
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![A bare tree stands silhouetted against a fading twilight sky, where deep blues melt into warm golden hues above the darkening hills in this peaceful and contemplative scene.]()
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![Soft layers of misty fog drift between the ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, creating a moody blue panorama that captures the park’s namesake atmosphere just before dawn.]()
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![Golden morning light breaks through the misty fog to highlight forested ridges in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, casting a soft glow across the autumn landscape beneath deep blue shadows.]()
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![A row of almost bare autumn trees stands along a gentle ridge beneath a moody sky in Franklin, TN, their fading leaves glowing softly above the open green field in the calm of twilight.]()
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![A massive fallen tree lies nestled in the forest undergrowth of the North Georgia mountains, its textured bark glowing with moss and filtered light while new greenery sprouts around it, echoing the cycle of life.]()
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![Cascading ribbons of water spill over tiered rock ledges at the base of Twin Falls in Rock Island State Park, creating a mesmerizing curtain of motion and texture in this serene and elegant scene.]()
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![Crystal-clear water tumbles over moss-covered rocks in a serene mountain stream in the North Georgia mountains, creating a soothing cascade framed by lush greenery.]()
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![A weathered bridge spans calm, shallow waters in Little River Canyon National Park, Alabama, its rust-streaked supports and crumbling concrete reflected in the rocky pool below, surrounded by lush forest.]()
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![A lone tree stands silhouetted against a fading twilight sky, where deep purples and soft reds blend into the horizon, creating a peaceful and contemplative mood in this quiet, open landscape.]()
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![A small homestead rests quietly on the vast desert floor near Monument Valley, Utah, dwarfed by towering red rock mesas and bathed in the soft light of dusk beneath a streaked sky.]()
"Homestead"
Utah, 2015
I was standing on the side of Highway 163 in Utah, the iconic stretch of blacktop that leads into Monument Valley, which became even more famous thanks to the movie 'Forrest Gump.' I was waiting for traffic to pass so I could set my tripod in the middle of the road to capture the perfect shot. As I glanced to my left, I was greeted by a breathtaking view of towering sandstone mesas and buttes. In the foreground, there was a small, isolated homestead. The contrast between the homestead and the massive rock formations, along with the stunning clouds and the beautiful afternoon light illuminating the textures and tones of the desert floor, inspired me to capture this image.
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![The Mittens and Merrick Butte glow beneath vibrant streaks of pink and orange clouds at sunset in Monument Valley, Utah, standing tall over the vast desert landscape in iconic, timeless beauty.]()
"Monument Valley Sunset"
Utah, 2015As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky above Monument Valley ignited in a symphony of warm hues. Pam and I were treated to this beautiful sunset panorama from the balcony of our room at The View Hotel (yes, that's really the name of the hotel.) From this perfect vantage point, the iconic buttes—West Mitten, East Mitten, and Merrick Butte—stood in silent grandeur, their rich red tones deepened by the fading light. It was one of those moments where time seemed to slow down, and the vast desert landscape became a canvas of color and stillness. I had to capture it. -
![Sunrise bathes the towering spires of Canyonlands National Park, Utah, in golden light, casting long shadows across the layered desert landscape and revealing the park’s dramatic red rock formations in breathtaking detail.]()
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![The Green River winds through a maze of layered red rock canyons in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, as the soft twilight casts warm highlights and deep shadows across the rugged desert landscape.]()
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![Silhouetted rock spires, known as totems, of Monument Valley, Utah, rise against a dramatic sunrise sky, their dark forms etched sharply against the warm golden and amber hues of dawn.]()
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![Backlit by the golden light of sunrise in Monument Valley, Utah, a fuzzy caterpillar clings to yellow wildflowers, its delicate hairs glowing softly against a vibrant backdrop of sunlit blooms.]()
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![Golden poplar leaves shimmer against dark tree trunks in this abstract photo from Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where light and shadow dance through the forest in a vivid display of autumn's glow.]()
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![An abstract photo of golden poplar trees in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with intentional blur creating a painterly effect that evokes the warmth and motion of autumn light filtering through the forest.]()
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![An abstract image of trees near Fontana Lake, NC, captured with intentional camera movement to create vertical streaks of green, gold, and orange that evoke the vibrant transition of seasons in an Appalachian forest.]()
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![An abstract close-up of ornamental grass in Chattanooga, TN, featuring a dreamy blend of purple and green blades with soft focus and delicate seed heads dancing in evening light.]()
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![Close-up of a weathered Ford Fairlane at Old Car City in Georgia, showcasing rust, moss, and patina textures contrasted by the bold lines of classic chrome trim and emblem.]()
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![A close-up of a weathered Cadillac emblem at Old Car City in Georgia, surrounded by rust, moss, and peeling paint—nature reclaiming a once-proud symbol of luxury.]()
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![ChatGPT said:
A weathered red Plymouth V8 grille at Old Car City in Georgia, its chrome details dulled by time and streaked with moss and rust, capturing the quiet dignity of an American classic lost to the elements.]()
