Mark VanDyke Photography
Roan Highlands Catawba Rhododendron Spring Landscape
Sunrise Fog & Flowers in the Roan Highlands
Mitchell County, Western North Carolina
Accessed via the Appalachian Trail from Carver's Gap, TN
Date taken: June 15, 2016
Roan Mountain is typically the pinnacle of my year. The Catawba Rhododendron bloom highlights what is likely the most spectacular thing I see and photograph annually. This year was no different. However, a combination of planned and unplanned circumstances had me really chasing my tail around, spending long periods on the highway followed by some poor decisions while in the field that left me exhausted (it's easy to underestimate the importance of keeping yourself fresh mentally and physically if you want to produce). The end result was only two to three days chasing the Catawba Rhododendron this year. Surprisingly, I actually dropped the mountain after this short period feeling really good about what I had seen and what I had captured. I knew that the conditions were difficult--as they always are at Roan--but, I really thought I had done what I needed to present some fantastic scenics from the annual bloom. Upon later inspection, most of my takes are a mess of wind blur and non-optimal lighting. Those that pass the quality inspection--like the one above--are pushing the camera hard with higher isos to stop the constant swaying action of the vegetation as consistent winds blanketed the exposed ridge.
All in all, it was a beautiful bloom on Grassy Ridge and another wonderful year of photography in the Roan Highlands. I would be lying if I didn't say that I'm a bit disappointed in myself for the lack of production and the shots that were missed. However, I'm not ever going to complain about spending some time in one of my favorite places!
The yellow tent in the clearing belonged to J Christian Smilanic (Dawnfire Photography) who I would later meet. Great dude and photographer out of the Asheville, NC area.
© 2016 Mark VanDyke. All Rights Reserved. This image may not be used for anything without my explicit permission.
Roan Highlands Catawba Rhododendron Spring Landscape
Sunrise Fog & Flowers in the Roan Highlands
Mitchell County, Western North Carolina
Accessed via the Appalachian Trail from Carver's Gap, TN
Date taken: June 15, 2016
Roan Mountain is typically the pinnacle of my year. The Catawba Rhododendron bloom highlights what is likely the most spectacular thing I see and photograph annually. This year was no different. However, a combination of planned and unplanned circumstances had me really chasing my tail around, spending long periods on the highway followed by some poor decisions while in the field that left me exhausted (it's easy to underestimate the importance of keeping yourself fresh mentally and physically if you want to produce). The end result was only two to three days chasing the Catawba Rhododendron this year. Surprisingly, I actually dropped the mountain after this short period feeling really good about what I had seen and what I had captured. I knew that the conditions were difficult--as they always are at Roan--but, I really thought I had done what I needed to present some fantastic scenics from the annual bloom. Upon later inspection, most of my takes are a mess of wind blur and non-optimal lighting. Those that pass the quality inspection--like the one above--are pushing the camera hard with higher isos to stop the constant swaying action of the vegetation as consistent winds blanketed the exposed ridge.
All in all, it was a beautiful bloom on Grassy Ridge and another wonderful year of photography in the Roan Highlands. I would be lying if I didn't say that I'm a bit disappointed in myself for the lack of production and the shots that were missed. However, I'm not ever going to complain about spending some time in one of my favorite places!
The yellow tent in the clearing belonged to J Christian Smilanic (Dawnfire Photography) who I would later meet. Great dude and photographer out of the Asheville, NC area.
© 2016 Mark VanDyke. All Rights Reserved. This image may not be used for anything without my explicit permission.